Patient handling tasks with high risk for musculoskeletal disorders in critical care.
Critical care nurses are at high risk for development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Many patient handling tasks in critical care require physical demands that may result in excessive internal forces, increasing the risk for WMSDs. There are solutions for performing these tasks safely, using technology. This article describes risk factors associated with high-risk patient handling tasks and presents solutions for reducing risk for WMSDs. Studies show that implementing a safe patient handling and movement program that incorporates new technology can pay for itself in a short period of time and provide long-term benefit for health care facilities and nursing staff.
Waters
Thomas R
TR
Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway (MS-C24), Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA. trw1@cdc.gov
Nelson
Audrey
A
Proctor
Caren
C
D000465:Algorithms; D001510:Bed Rest / Q000451:nursing; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001835:Body Weight; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003663:Decision Trees; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data