Social Workers - Chief Executive Office - Los Angeles County

Section 5. Patient Transport Teams (Lift Teams)
93
711RM
The parties agree that it is a mutual goal to reduce industrial injuries resulting from patient
lifting and transport. The parties support the establishment of Patient Transport and Patient
Lift Teams in Department of Health Services and Department of Public Health facilities and
will work together to overcome any economic barriers to implementation. Management will
make every effort to ensure that equipment is provided that is in accordance with
professional and industry standards for the lifting and transporting of patients.
Upon written request of Local 721, a Joint Labor-Management Work Group shall be
convened with the goal of developing a plan for expansion of Patient Transport and/or
Patient Lift Teams within the Department of Health Services and the Department of Public
Health. The Work Group shall consist of a core of three Labor representatives, three
Management representatives, and one representative from the Healthcare Workforce
Development Program. An additional two (2) members each from Labor and Management
will be added from each healthcare facility where Patient Transport and/or Patient Lift
Teams are being formed.
The workgroup shall develop a policy for implementing Patient Transport and Patient Lift
teams for healthcare facilities that do not already have established policies. The policy will
include the process and procedures, including staffing, for transportation and lift team
members to ensure employee safety. Prior to full implementation of the Patient Transport
and Lift Teams, all team members will be trained in the provisions of the developed policy.