title: Effectiveness of installing overhead ceiling lifts. Reducing musculoskeletal injuries in an extended care hospital unit.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Promotion Research, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ronald
authors.forename: Analee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yassi
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spiegel
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tait
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mozel
mesh_terms: 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