Preventing disability from occupational musculoskeletal injuries in an urban, acute and tertiary care hospital: results from a prevention and early active return-to-work safely program.
OBJECTIVE
Healthcare workers are at high risk for musculoskeletal injuries. A program was developed to decrease the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries and the duration of associated time loss.


METHODS
A program combining primary prevention and on-site early intervention was implemented at a large, urban hospital. Incidence rates were compared using Poisson regression. Cox regression was used to analyze the time to return to regular duties.


RESULTS
Although there was no reduction in incidence, the program was effective in returning injured employees to work more promptly for registered nurses and health science professionals (therapists, technicians), although not for facility support staff.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall savings in time loss and compensation payments were realized. However, better integration of prevention and follow-up efforts are needed, and greater attention to the sociopolitical environment is required to improve outcomes for facility support staff.
Davis
Philip Mark
PM
Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare, 301-1195 West Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3X5, Canada.
Badii
Maziar
M
Yassi
Annalee
A
D000041:Absenteeism; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007596:Joints / Q000293:injuries; D008284:Maintenance and Engineering, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009132:Muscles / Q000293:injuries*; D009726:Nurses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data