Perioperating nurses and technicians' perceptions of ergonomic risk factors in the surgical environment.
The aim of this study was to identify the magnitude and characteristics of work-related musculoskeletal complaints among perioperative nurses and technicians (PNT) and determine the associated ergonomic risk factors in the operating room (OR) environment based on self-report and focus group discussion. The 50 PNTs who participated in the study completed a self-report survey for musculoskeletal symptoms, Job Description Questionnaire, and Psychometric Evaluation Questionnaire, and participated in focus groups to discuss potential OR ergonomic risk factors. The results of the study demonstrated a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among PNTs, with lower back pain the most prevalent (84%) complaint, followed by ankle/foot (74%) and shoulder (74%) pain. In addition, lower back pain (31%), followed by ankle/knee (24%) pain were found to be the main causes of absenteeism from work. Participants suggested simple ergonomic and engineering solutions can be adopted to improve the work environment of PNTs.
Sheikhzadeh
Ali
A
Occupational and Industrial Orthopedic Center, New York University-Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY 10014, USA. as54@nyu.edu
Gore
Chaitrali
C
Zuckerman
Joseph D
JD
Nordin
Margareta
M
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D009872:Operating Room Technicians; D013527:Perioperative Nursing; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires