The use of total quality improvement techniques to determine risk factors for back injuries in hospital workers.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the risk factors for back injuries among hospital employees using quality-management techniques.


METHODS
Data from employee-health records were collected from 1993 to 1995 on a total of 100 back injuries. The data were reviewed retrospectively for risk factors using quality-management techniques.


RESULTS
We identified two major categories of risk factors: administrative and environmental. The five most common causes of back injuries were as follows: inadequate or lack of proper training in body mechanics, not enough help in lifting, the load being lifted was too heavy, poor condition of the floor surface (slippery or uneven), and the patient was unable to help. The Workers' Compensation costs for the 100 back injuries was in excess of $600,000.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these findings, several preventive strategies are identified.
Lin
M Y
MY
Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Ahern
J E
JE
Gershon
R R
RR
Grimes
M
M
D000328:Adult; D019567:Back Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology