title: Evaluating repeated patient handling injuries following the implementation of a multi-factor ergonomic intervention program among health care workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate repeated patient handling injuries following a multi-factor ergonomic intervention program among health care workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a quasi-experimental study which had an intervention group and a non-randomized control group. Data were collected from six hospitals in Saskatchewan, Canada from September 1, 2001 to December 1, 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,480 individuals who had a previous injury were eligible for the study. Medium and small size hospitals in the intervention group had significantly fewer repeated injuries than in the control group. Multivariate analysis showed that the intervention group had 38.1% lower odds of having repeated injury compared to the control group, after adjusting for hospital size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The work-related repeated injury after a multi-factor intervention program was reduced. The synergistic relationships between components of multi-factor intervention and applicability of injury prevention programs to different settings need to be further explored.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementing a multi-factor program with the right equipment and training can lower the risk of injury among health care workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada. hyun.lim@usask.ca
authors.forename: Hyun J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Timothy R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Syed M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Sabuj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarker
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012525:Saskatchewan / Q000453:epidemiology