title: Estimated energy expenditure of nursing assistants in long term care.
abstract: Ergonomic research on nursing work has focused primarily on the biomechanical analysis of patient handling tasks. Few studies have addressed the intensity of a full day of nursing work as measured by changes in heart rate and energy expenditure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A pilot study was conducted between August 2009 and May 2010 to examine the intensity of performing nursing assistant work in long term care settings and to assess the usefulness of heart rate monitoring as a measure of work intensity. The residents of the facilities were physically dependent adults. The settings had floor-based mechanical lifting devices available and no-lift policies that restricted workers from lifting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight women between the ages of 19 and 54 from two facilities participated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A wearable recorder allowed unobtrusive heart rate monitoring while nursing assistants worked their usual shift. Continuous heart rate monitoring for a full shift provided an estimation of energy expenditure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data suggest that the nursing assistants worked at a moderate level yet were within the safe work intensity level recommended by NIOSH [32].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The information provides preliminary baseline data for nursing assistants who work with physically dependent adults using floor-based lifts in a no-lift environment.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WI, USA. dlolson@matcmadison.edu
authors.forename: Darcie L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Phyllis M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000523:psychology; D000078329:Workforce