Effect of a nurse back injury prevention intervention on the rate of injury compensation claims.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effect of introducing a No Lifting policy on back injuries to nurses, across an entire health care system.


METHODS
Methods included: analysis of the data for all public health agencies in the Australian state of Victoria; compensation data from the Victorian Workcover Authority; data about workforce and program implementation from a retrospective survey of agencies; longitudinal analysis of standardized workers compensation claim rates for back injuries before, during and after the intervention.


RESULTS
A statistically significant decline in back injury claim rates during implementation contrasted with no statistically significant trends within the periods before and after the intervention. A statistically significant reduction occurred in mean quarterly standard back injury claim incidence rates per 1,000 equivalent fulltime nursing staff (EFTNS), representing a 24% reduction in standard back injury claims/1000 EFTNS.


CONCLUSIONS
Ergonomics principles encourage changing the work environment to suit the worker. This approach delivered a significant improvement in the immediate term.


CONCLUSIONS
The substantial decline in back injury rates signifies a major improvement in the safety of a critical aspect of the work environment for nurses.
Martin
Peter J
PJ
School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences, University of Ballarat, Australia.
Harvey
Jack T
JT
Culvenor
John F
JF
Payne
Warren R
WR
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019567:Back Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000009:adverse effects; D009729:Nursing; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014942:Workers' Compensation