A Swedish guide and intervention strategy to ensure safe patient handling and movement in healthcare

This case study describes the development and evaluation of risk assessment and interventions promoting safe patient handling and movement in Sweden’s healthcare sector. It discusses a research-based guide published in 2022 by the Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise (SAWEE).

The guide provides a structured, collaborative approach to managing patient transfers and is supported by training tools, checklists and legal guidance. It also serves as the foundation for a multifactorial intervention strategy currently being evaluated through a randomized controlled trial.