title: AORN Ergonomic Tool 6: lifting and carrying supplies and equipment in the perioperative setting.
abstract: Perioperative team members often are required to lift and carry heavy supplies and equipment into and around the OR; this includes lifting equipment such as hand tables, fluoroscopy boards, stirrups, Wilson frames, irrigation containers for lithotripsy, and heavy instrument pans. Lifting heavy objects creates considerable risk for musculoskeletal injuries to the back and shoulders. AORN Ergonomic Tool 6: Lifting and Carrying Supplies and Equipment in the Perioperative Setting can help caregivers evaluate lifting and carrying tasks and take measures to protect themselves from injury. Caregivers can use the revised National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health lifting equation to assess whether a specific lifting task can be performed safely.
authors.affiliation: Patient Safety Center of Inquiry, James A. Haley Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baptiste
authors.forename: Manon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Short
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Plante-Mallon
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D019990:Perioperative Care; D012956:Societies, Nursing