Ergonomic Training Prevents Nursing Injuries

Abstract

Nurses give of themselves both mentally and physically everyday, as they care for our increasingly complex, culturally diverse population. Often, little attention is placed on the caretaker, as they are expected to selflessly give to their patients without the proper education of ergonomics. Nursing today, with advanced illness and complex care, is very stressful; it is essential that staff is provided with proper equipment and ergonomic training. It is within research, and evaluating statistical data, that researchers can shed light on the present ergonomic problems that occur within our healthcare systems. This paper addressed the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in the nursing profession and discussed plans and assistive devices along with Ergonomics training that can be used to minimize these injuries. Nurses tend to be self-sacrificing by focusing more on patient safety while disregarding their own personal welfare. However, if current trends continue, and the number of nurses and nurses' aides leaving the workplace due to musculoskeletal injuries continues to rise, patients will inevitably suffer. Statistics have revealed the alarming rates of worker injury from MSD caused by inappropriate lifting techniques, defective patient handling devices and lack of knowledge about patient handling risks.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Discussion4

Nursing4

Background on the significance of the issue6

The statement of the problem and the purpose of research9

Literature Review10

Ergonomics11

Comprehensive Ergonomics Program12

Management participation12

Workplace analysis12

Procurement of assistive devices13

Training13

Reporting and medical management14

Technology to minimize MSD14

"Handle with Care" Campaign16

Conclusion18

References20

Ergonomic Training Prevents Nursing Injuries

Introduction

Disabling injuries to the back and other body parts from workplace injuries have become a major concern for the healthcare industry. The nursing community has the highest medical claim rates of any occupation or industry (American Nurses' Association, 2003); more than one-third of nursing personnel have been affected by back-related injuries. Professional organizations, healthcare facilities and healthcare companies have launched proactive and diligent programs to promote safe patient handling to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among healthcare personnel. This paper will address the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in the nursing profession and will discuss plans and assistive devices along with Ergonomics training that can be used to minimize these injuries.

Ergonomics is an interdisciplinary field that designs objects, systems, and environments to improve human capability and interaction. It is largely synonymous with the term human factors, which cover the same technical areas but originated and developed in Europe. Although ergonomics has a broad scope, it commonly refers to workplace health, performance, and safety.

Discussion

Nursing

Nursing may be the most familiar health professional group in the world, second only to physicians. Nurses far outnumber all other groups of health workers, with an estimated 12 million nurses working worldwide. Women constitute the overwhelming majority of nurses, with estimates ranging from 89 to 97 percent in countries of the global north. According to American Nurses Association Social Policy Statement (2003), nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and population.

To achieve this range of activities, ...