[Manual lifting of patients in a hospital. Risk analysis for an improvement project].
BACKGROUND
A MMPz risk assessment was performed in a hospital in Florence, by calculating the MAPO index and the perceived effort through Borg's CR10 scale. The assessments carried out in 12 departments revealed that 5 had an unacceptable risk level, 5 had a slight-to-medium risk level, and 2 had a slight risk level.


METHODS
To establish which factor, if eliminated, would most reduce the risk, a new MAPO index was calculated, considering each time a different factor to be eliminated.


RESULTS
Lifting devices and worker training are the factors that most reduce risk. Another factor influencing a situation of risk is the ratio between the number of non-self sufficient patients and the number of operators assigned to their care. In fact, in an ideal situation where all other factors are excellent, risk would arise when NC/OP+PC/OP >7.16, which is when more than 7.16 non-self sufficient patients are assigned to each operator every day. Such a ratio has never been observed in any of the departments.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk levels found agree with those reported in the literature and are the result of a lack of training, organization and resources. Subjective perception via Borg's scale is a good rating of risk level, when not the aids available are considered but their actual use.
Speziale
Martina
M
Azienda Sanitaria 10 di Firenze, U.F.TAV & Grandi Opere, Firenze. martina.speziale@asf.toscana.it
Ciampolini
M
M
D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007558:Italy; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires