title: Perioperating nurses and technicians' perceptions of ergonomic risk factors in the surgical environment.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Industrial Orthopedic Center, New York University-Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY 10014, USA. as54@nyu.edu
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheikhzadeh
authors.forename: Chaitrali
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gore
authors.forename: Joseph D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Zuckerman
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nordin
mesh_terms: 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