Measuring the physical demands of work in hospital settings: design and implementation of an ergonomics assessment.
BACKGROUND
Assessing the physical demands of the heterogeneous jobs in hospitals requires appropriate and validated assessment methodologies.


METHODS
As part of an integrated assessment, we adapted Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), using it in a work sampling mode facilitated by a hand-held personal digital assistant, expanding it with selected items from the UC Computer Use Checklist, and developed a scoring algorithm for ergonomics risk factors for the upper (UB) and lower body (LB).


RESULTS
The inter-rater reliability kappa was 0.54 for UB and 0.66 for LB. The scoring algorithm demonstrated significant variation (ANOVA p<0.05) by occupation in anticipated directions (administrators ranked lowest; support staff ranked highest on both scores). A supplemental self-assessment measure of spinal loading correlated with high strain LB scores (r=0.30; p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We developed and validated a scoring algorithm incorporating a revised REBA schema adding computer use items, appropriate for ergonomics assessment across a range of hospital jobs.
Janowitz
Ira L
IL
University of California San Francisco/Berkeley Ergonomics Program, 1301 South 46th St., Building 163, Richmond, CA 94804, USA. janowitz@earthlink.net
Gillen
Marion
M
Ryan
Greg
G
Rempel
David
D
Trupin
Laura
L
Swig
Louise
L
Mullen
Kathleen
K
Rugulies
Reiner
R
Blanc
Paul D
PD
D000465:Algorithms; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods*; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D016526:Workload