Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center (KP SRF) is committed to supporting the health, safety, and well‑being of its nursing workforce. In 2024, safe patient handling injuries were identified as the leading cause of workplace injuries among nurses at KP SRF. Because efforts to support well‑being are multifaceted, the organization prioritized targeted improvements in safe patient handling equipment to reduce injury risk and strengthen a culture of safety.
Nurses experience some of the highest rates of work‑related injuries, particularly musculoskeletal injuries caused by manual lifting, repositioning, and ambulating of patients. While these activities are essential to patient care, they can lead to overexertion injuries that result in pain, lost work time, or even long‑term and career‑ending harm. Mobility technology and safe patient handling equipment play a critical role in preventing injuries for both patients and caregivers (CDC, May 2024).
During the 2024 ANCC Magnet Conference in New Orleans, Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Operating Officer Denise Laws, DNP, RN, NE‑BC, along with clinical nurses Ashley Thompson‑Brundidge, MSN, RN; Arleen Velasco, BSN, RN; and LaKetah “Key” Harper, MSHI, BSN, RN, explored innovative solutions aligned with KP SRF’s strategic priorities. After evaluating several devices in the exhibit hall, they identified the Sara Flex as a promising tool that could help nurses safely mobilize and transfer patients.
To gather additional feedback from frontline nurses, representatives from Arjo were invited to KP SRF in February 2025 to demonstrate the Sara Flex. Thompson‑Brundidge, Harper, and Velasco incorporated the demonstration into the annual Safe Patient Handling educational sessions, giving nurses a chance to try the device firsthand. Between March and May 2025, nurses tested the equipment, and 94% of those surveyed reported they would use the Sara Flex in their daily practice. With strong clinical endorsement, Dr. Laws moved forward with advocating for its purchase.
In March 2025, the Sara Flex proposal was added to the June agenda for the Capital Equipment Committee. Dr. Laws, along with safe patient handling champions Thompson‑Brundidge and Harper — both active participants in professional governance — attended the meeting. This gave the clinical nurses an opportunity to observe and engage in the decision‑making and approval process. At the meeting, Dr. Laws advocated for the purchase of six Sara Flex devices and the required slings for inpatient units. The proposal was approved.
The Sara Flex devices arrived at KP SRF in July 2025. Training was incorporated into the annual Medical‑Surgical/Telemetry Skills Days held in August, ensuring nurses were prepared to use the equipment effectively. By September, all six devices were deployed to inpatient units.
The implementation of the Sara Flex has strengthened safe patient handling practices at KP SRF and represents a key investment in the health, safety, and long‑term well‑being of the nursing workforce.