Health care concerns related to lifting: an inside look at intervention strategies.
As members of injury prevention and injury management teams, physical therapists and occupational therapists have the opportunity to evaluate back stress associated with patient-lifting activities. In this study, three mathematical formulas are presented that can be used to objectively assess health care workers' maximum safe lifting capacity for moving patients. Recommendations to reduce the rate of back injury in health care workers include the use of lifting machines for moving patients, mandatory in-service education on body mechanics, and employee assistance programs that improve job satisfaction and worker morale.
Laflin
K
K
Work Enhancement and Rehabilitation Center, Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, Colchester 05446.
Aja
D
D
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D019567:Back Injuries; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. / Q000592:standards; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology; D014481:United States; D014707:Vermont; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology