title: Ergonomic assessment of a critical care unit.
abstract: Although direct patient care providers in all settings suffer musculoskeletal injuries at unacceptable rates, high-risk tasks in nursing homes are the most frequently researched. Less is known about the high-risk tasks performed by critical care nurses. To identify the tasks in critical care that differ from those in nursing homes, this qualitative study used the Ergonomic Workplace Assessment Protocol for Patient Care Environments to assess a medical ICU. Results and recommendations for change are presented.
authors.affiliation: University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Nursing, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 453018, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3018, USA.
authors.forename: Sheri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stucke
authors.forename: Nancy N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Menzel
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009505:Nevada; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D011187:Posture; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology