An innovative system to reduce injuries in hospitals has been taken up by the South Australian Department of Health, General Manager Manning Hospital Tim Mooney announced today.

The "Red Dot Mobility System" was designed and developed by Eddie Wood, a Manual Handling Coordinator at Manning Hospital in Taree in 1997.

Since then it has been taken up by hospitals across Australia and around the world.

"The Red Dot Mobility System is a simple way of assessing a patient’s mobility requirements, using a one to four-dot ratings system," Mr Mooney said.

"The key to the success of this system is its simplicity and visibility," he said.

"The Red Dot rating is clearly displayed above the patient’s bed on a visible slide plate, allowing all staff to instantly determine a patient’s needs and this in turn limits injuries that can sometimes be sustained by patients and staff.

"For example if three dots are displayed, a staff member immediately knows the patient requires the assistance of two people and mobility equipment to move them.

"In fact, when it was implemented at Manning Hospital there was an 82 per cent reduction in nursing staff injuries and a 70 per cent reduction in patient injuries in the first year alone. This equates to a $1.1-million saving in workers compensation costs.

"The number of nursing staff injuries has dropped from 68 in 1997 to two in 2006. These were minor injuries with staff returning to work."

The Red Dot Mobility System is now used in more than 200 hospitals and nursing homes throughout Australia with hospitals in Europe, Canada, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ireland also trialling and implementing the system.

The system has also been adapted for use in schools for children with physical and mental disabilities and for patients who are being cared for in the community setting. It is also an excellent evacuation tool that allows emergency services staff to instantly determine the level of mobility of patients.

Mr Mooney said the purchase of the Red Dot Mobility System by the South Australian Health Department was the first time that the system has been implemented across a whole health service. It is currently being rolled out across 87 facilities in South Australia, and the Tasmanian Health Department has also expressed interest in the system.

"Eddie Wood and his colleagues are to be congratulated for their foresight and unique approach to an issue of safety for patients and staff," Mr Mooney said.

"The purchase of the system by another health department is a good example of the extension of best practice throughout the Australian health system.

"It is also an example of health services benefiting from each other’s innovation, which means improved safety for patients and staff," he said.

Mr Eddie Wood is available for interviews. Please contact Lauren Chiplin on 4921 4924 if you would like an interview.