Static load in the nursing profession; the silent killer?
Traditionally back pain in the nursing profession is associated with heavy lifting of patients. Although there is a strong relationship between heavy loads on the spine and lifting patients, literature indicates that there is a major factor that should not be underestimated: static load. Static load can be defined as the result of static, not moving, not dynamic, working positions. For example when a caregiver is washing a patient on a bed which is too low, her back is in a static (bended) stooped position up to several minutes. Exposure to static load is an underestimated silent killer of nurses musculoskeletal system . There is evidence from this cross-sectional study that static load can be reduced by a combination of introducing the right equipment, creating awareness and education.
LOCOmotion, Research in Health Care, Brinkerpad 29, 6721 WJ Bennekom, The Netherlands. j.j.knibbe@planet.nl
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D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009729:Nursing; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011187:Posture