A randomized controlled trial to prevent patient lift and transfer injuries of health care workers.
METHODS
Randomized controlled trial (RCT).


OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of training and equipment to reduce musculoskeletal injuries, increase comfort, and reduce physical demands on staff performing patient lifts and transfers at a large acute care hospital.


BACKGROUND
Back injury to nursing staff during patient handling tasks is a major issue in health care. The value of mechanical assistive devices in reducing injuries to these workers is unclear.


METHODS
This three-armed RCT consisted of a "control arm," a "safe lifting" arm, and a "no strenuous lifting" arm. A medical, surgical, and rehabilitation ward were each randomly assigned to each arm. Both intervention arms received intensive training in back care, patient assessment, and handling techniques. Hence, the "safe lifting" arm used improved patient handling techniques using manual equipment, whereas the "no strenuous lifting" arm aimed to eliminate manual patient handling through use of additional mechanical and other assistive equipment.


RESULTS
Frequency of manual patient handling tasks was significantly decreased on the "no strenuous lifting" arm. Self-perceived work fatigue, back and shoulder pain, safety, and frequency and intensity of physical discomfort associated with patient handling tasks were improved on both intervention arms, but staff on the mechanical equipment arm showed greater improvements. Musculoskeletal injury rates were not significantly altered.


CONCLUSIONS
The "no strenuous lifting" program, which combined training with assured availability of mechanical and other assistive patient handling equipment, most effectively improved comfort with patient handling, decreased staff fatigue, and decreased physical demands. The fact that injury rates were not statistically significantly reduced may reflect the less sensitive nature of this indicator compared with the subjective indicators.
Yassi
A
A
Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. yassi@cc.umanitoba.ca
Cooper
J E
JE
Tate
R B
RB
Gerlach
S
S
Muir
M
M
Trottier
J
J
Massey
K
K
D019567:Back Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods*; D009740:Nursing Staff; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires