Effectiveness of installing overhead ceiling lifts. Reducing musculoskeletal injuries in an extended care hospital unit.
The effectiveness of replacing floor lifts with mechanical ceiling lifts was evaluated in the extended care unit of a British Columbia hospital. Sixty-five ceiling lifts were installed between April and August 1998. Injury data were abstracted from injury reports for all staff musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) occurring in the unit during a 3 year period prior to installation and a 1.5 year follow up period. Descriptive statistics were calculated for injuries pre- versus post-installation. Rates were calculated as number of injuries per 100,000 worked hours. Rates for three pre- and three post-installation intervals were compared using Poisson regression. The rate of MSI caused by lifting/transferring patients was significantly reduced (58% reduction, p = .011) after installation, but rates of all MSI and MSI caused by repositioning did not statistically decline (p > .05). Further follow up is necessary to determine whether or not ceiling lifts also can be effective for decreasing injuries related to repositioning patients on this unit.
Ronald
Lisa A
LA
Institute of Health Promotion Research, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada.
Yassi
Analee
A
Spiegel
Jerry
J
Tate
Robert B
RB
Tait
Don
D
Mozel
Michelle R
MR
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D008875:Middle Aged; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000293:injuries*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital