26:2H-14.9 Findings, declarations relative to health care worker, patient safety.
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2. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. In New Jersey, nurses, nurse aides, orderlies and attendants, combined, have the highest number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work of other occupations;
b. Chronic back pain and other job-related musculoskeletal disorders contribute significantly to the decision by nurses and other health care workers to leave their professions, which exacerbates the shortage of health care providers in this State;
c. Studies show that manual patient handling and movement negatively affect patient safety, quality of care and patient comfort, dignity and satisfaction;
d. The American Hospital Association has stated that work-related musculoskeletal disorders account for the largest proportion of workers' compensation costs in hospitals and long-term care facilities;
e. Studies demonstrate that assistive patient handling technology reduces workers' compensation and medical treatment costs for musculoskeletal disorders among health care workers, and that employers can recoup their initial investment in equipment and training within three years;
f. Therefore, it is appropriate public policy to minimize unassisted patient handling as set forth in this act.
L.2007, c.225, s.2.