Work hardening in an early return to work program for nurses with back injury.
OBJECTIVE
Work assessment and work hardening were components of a comprehensive interdisciplinary program to prevent and manage back injury in nurses in a large tertiary care hospital. The effect of work hardening on morbidity and work status is described.


METHODS
Nurses injured on 'target' wards who had time loss exceeding four working days received a work assessment. RESULTS determined work placement: work hardening. modified work or return to regular work. Pain, disability and lifting tolerance were monitored during work hardening and modified work; pain, disability, work endurance and work status were compared between initial and follow-up assessments.


RESULTS
Seven nurses received work hardening. All had increased lifting capacity; pain and disability scores decreased and, by 6 months follow-up, all were working full shifts at their regular jobs.


CONCLUSIONS
RESULTS support the concept of maintaining individuals with back injury in the workplace by providing early, on-site intervention that includes work hardening and modified work.
Occupational Therapy Department, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
J E
JE
Cooper
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 770 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Canada.
R
R
Tate
Occupational and Environmental Health Unit, Departments of Community Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Manitoba, 770 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Canada.
A
A
Yassi
Back injury; Work assessment; Work hardening; Workplace intervention