title: Impairing injuries among medical personnel.
abstract: Medically impairing injuries among medical personnel (n = 209) were analyzed based on data obtained from the Work-Related No-Fault Liability Insurance's (TFA) injury registration system. Almost half (98; 47%) were injured during patient care, of which 29 were injured as a result of physical trauma inflicted by the patient. When moving themselves between the homes of the patients and between different wards, 94 (45%) were injured (18 in vehicle crashes). The injuries most often resulting in medical impairment were sprains and/or strains (101; 48%) and fractures (67; 32%). The injuries primarily affected the upper extremities (48%). Fifteen percent had a medical impairment of 10% or more, and in about half of the cases, the impairment was 1% to 4%. Every injured person was on sick leave for 7 months, on average, during the 2-year follow-up period. In 12% of the cases, the injury led to a disability pension.
authors.affiliation: The Umeå Accident Analysis Group, University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ohman
authors.forename: Per-Olof
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Bylund
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Björnstig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*