Manual Handling Workload and Musculoskeletal Discomfort in Nursing Personnel
01 Jan 2001-
TL;DR: This paper presents a meta-analysis of the literature on screening for Musculoskeletal Disorders and results show that screening for WMSDs in nurses’ high-risk patient care units results is positive.
Abstract: iv Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Scope and Cost of Back Pain 2 Relationship of Musculoskeletal Pain to Workers’ Compensation Claims 3 Association with Strenuous Tasks 3 Chapter 2: Review of the Literature 6 Causes of Musculoskeletal Disorders 6 Body Parts Affected by WMSDs in Nursing 6 WMSD Risk Factors 6 Patient Handling and Movement Risk Factor Assessment 10 Patient Weight As Risk Factor 12 Assessing Risk 12 Exposure Assessment 16 Nursing Workload Measurement Systems 17 Risk Reduction Factors 19 Characteristics of James A. Haley VAMC High-Risk Patient Care Units 19 Screening for Musculoskeletal Disorders 20 Null Hypotheses 22 Definition of Terms 22 Chapter 3: Methods 27 Study Design 27 Sample and Sampling Procedures 27 Data Collection Procedures 28 Chapter 4: Results 30 Sample Size/Power Analysis 30 Data Analysis 30 Sample 30 Data Coding 32 Independent Variables 32
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TL;DR: Measuring the change in current back pain prevalence yields more timely information about the effectiveness of an ergonomic intervention than assessing injury incidence rates, because of the high percent of nursing staff members who work in pain but delay filing workers' compensation claims.
Abstract: 1. The problem of work related musculoskeletal disorders of the low back in nursing personnel has been well documented in the literature by cross sectional studies showing high prevalence rates in licensed nurses and nursing aides. However, it is difficult to compare findings among these studies because of the use of nonstandardized symptom surveys, variations in case definitions, and other methodological inconsistencies. 2. Measuring the change in current back pain prevalence yields more timely information about the effectiveness of an ergonomic intervention than assessing injury incidence rates, because of the high percent of nursing staff members who work in pain but delay filing workers' compensation claims. 3. As employers attempt to reduce manual handling injuries, occupational health nurses may be called upon to survey workers for musculoskeletal symptom prevalence and document the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions. Before using or developing any musculoskeletal disorder symptom survey for workplace surveillance or research, occupational health nurses should determine whether the survey has adequate reliability, validity, responsiveness, and practicality.
76 citations
Cites background from "Manual Handling Workload and Muscul..."
...Forty six studies, including the author's doctoral research (Menzel, 2001), were chosen for further review....
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22 citations
TL;DR: The prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses was high in the study area and working in mal-positions, working in the same positions for long period of time, working with disoriented patients and bending or twisting back during work were identified associated factors.
Abstract: Background: Musculoskeletal disorders represent a significant occupational problem among nurses; however, there is paucity of information on work related musculoskeletal disorder among nurses in Ethiopia. Objective: To assess work related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among nurses working in Jimma Zone Public hospitals, South west Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma Zone public hospitals from March 12-27, 2015. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 333 participants. Data were analyzed by using binary logistic regression and Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals used to examine associations between dependent and independent variables. Results: The prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders at any body site was 60.8% and the highest report 124 (67.8%) was seen in the lower back which was followed by the neck 44 (24%) and knees 43 (23.6%). Lifting and transferring dependent patients [AOR 2.1 (1.1-4.3)], giving wound care [AOR 4.2 (1.9-8.9)], working in medical ward [AOR 9.6 (2.4-38.3)] and Intensive care unit [AOR 3.4 (1.2-9.7)], working in mal-positions [AOR 9.7 (2.2-42.6)], working in the same positions for long period of time [AOR, 6.1 (1.3-28.7)], working with disoriented patients [AOR 2.6 ( 1.1-5.7) and bending or twisting back during work [AOR 5.1 (1.1-23.7)] were identified associated factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses was high in the study area. Lifting and transferring dependent patients, giving wound care, working in medical ward and Intensive care unit, working in mal-positions, working in the same positions for long period of time, working with disoriented patients and bending or twisting back during work were identified associated factors.
6 citations
Journal Article•
5 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Age and experience were significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in the different body regions and the results indicated out of every 10 workers, in the last work week, seven reported complaints in the lower legs.
Abstract: Although Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) represents a common occupational problem, few epidemiological studies have investigated MSDs among industrial workers. MSDs are a common industrial health problem throughout the world and a serious cause of disability among the industrial workers.The goal of the study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (ache, pain, or discomfort) among rubber workers in Iran, using the standard Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). The study population consisted of 100 males with mean age 31.73. Out of every 10 workers, in the last work week, seven reported complaints in the lower legs. The results are also indicated age and experience were significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in the different body regions.
4 citations
Cites background from "Manual Handling Workload and Muscul..."
...[21]; Nursing personnel [19]; Information Technology professionals [22]; Production assembly workers [23]; Dental students [24]; notebook computer users [25]....
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References
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01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes provides a straightforward examination of complex and sensitive issues surround the role and value of nursing on the authors' health care system.
Abstract: Hospitals and nursing homes are responding to changes in the health care system by modifying staffing levels and the mix of nursing personnel. But do these changes endanger the quality of patient care? Do nursing staff suffer increased rates of injury, illness, or stress because of changing workplace demands? These questions are addressed in Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes, a thorough and authoritative look at today's health care system that also takes a long-term view of staffing needs for nursing as the nation moves into the next century. The committee draws fundamental conclusions about the evolving role of nurses in hospitals and nursing homes and presents recommendations about staffing decisions, nursing training, measurement of quality, reimbursement, and other areas. The volume also discusses work-related injuries, violence toward and abuse of nursing staffs, and stress among nursing personnel--and examines whether these problems are related to staffing levels. Included is a readable overview of the underlying trends in health care that have given rise to urgent questions about nurse staffing: population changes, budget pressures, and the introduction of new technologies. Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes provides a straightforward examination of complex and sensitive issues surround the role and value of nursing on our health care system.
211 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Comparison with a control group suggests the validity of the work-relatedness of low-back pain in nurses and factors associated with the disorder were investigated, with results showing no differences due to nursing division assignment but significant association with specific tasks.
Abstract: A survey of hospital staff nurses of a large tertiary care hospital was performed to investigate occupational low-back pain. Attack rates of 41% (37% "occupational") and 52% (occupational) were found using recall periods of two weeks and six months, respectively. Comparison with a control group suggests the validity of the work-relatedness of low-back pain in nurses. Factors associated with the disorder were also investigated, with results showing no differences due to nursing division assignment but significant association with specific tasks.
206 citations
"Manual Handling Workload and Muscul..." refers background in this paper
...Moving or handling a patient is the major cause of injury (Gagnon, Chehade, Kemp, & Lortie, 1987; Harber et al., 1985; Jensen, 1985; Knibbe & Friele, 1996; Owen, 1989; Stobbe Plummer, Jensen, & Attfield, 1988; Stubbs, Buckle, Hudson, Rivers, & Worringham, 1981; Venning, Walter, & Stitt, 1987)....
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...Studies have found that the lifetime prevalence of back pain among hospital and nursing home direct care staff ranges from 43% to 80% (Cato, Olson & Studer, 1989; French, 1997; Harber et al., 1985; Leighton & Reilly, 1995)....
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...…work related back pain in health care (Bell, Dalgity, Fennell, & Aitken, 1979; Cato et al., 1989; Cust, Pearson, & Mair, 1972; Dehlin, et al., 1976; Harber et al., 1985; Ferguson, 1970; Greenwood, 1986; Jensen, 1985, 1987; Knibbe & Friele, 1996; Leighton & Reilly, 1995; Love, 1997; Owen 1985,…...
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TL;DR: Reactions to using a conventional keyboard on a DT system were positive, and there were significant improvements in wrist posture, seated posture and upper body musculoskeletal discomfort for the test group using the DT system.
Abstract: The effects of a downward-tilting (DT) keyboard tray on wrist posture, seated posture and self-assessed musculoskeletal discomfort were investigated in a field experiment. Thirty-eight professional office workers were studied. A pretest assessed how they typed using either a conventional keyboard on a desk or on an articulating keyboard tray, and with or without wrist rests. Workers were randomly allocated to a control (n = 15) or test group (n = 23) that used their existing keyboard in a DT system. A post-test was conducted 3 weeks later. Results showed no significant changes in wrist posture, seated posture or reports of musculoskeletal discomfort for the control group, and approximately 50% of typing wrist movements put the hand in a neutral zone. There were significant improvements in wrist posture, seated posture and upper body musculoskeletal discomfort for the test group using the DT system. Over 80% of typing wrist movements put the hand into a neutral zone with the DT arrangement. Reactions to using a conventional keyboard on a DT system were positive.
200 citations
TL;DR: Logit analysis of a choice-based sample shows that women and employees of small firms are more likely than others to file for worker's compensation and that filing rates vary considerably across industries and diagnostic categories.
Abstract: This study estimates the rate at which workers suffering from occupational illnesses file for workers' compensation lost wage benefits and identifies some of the factors that affect the probability that a worker with an occupational illness will file. A database of reports of known or suspected cases of occupational illness is matched with workers' compensation claims data. Overall, between 9% and 45% of reported workers file for benefits. Data limitations prevent a more precise estimate of this rate, but a large proportion of workers with occupational illnesses clearly does not utilize the worker's compensation system. Logit analysis of a choice-based sample shows that women and employees of small firms are more likely than others to file for worker's compensation and that filing rates vary considerably across industries and diagnostic categories. Acute conditions related to the current job are no more likely to lead to claims than chronic conditions with long latency periods between exposure and development of disease.
190 citations
TL;DR: The back pain prevalence and physical working conditions of community nurses and the consequences for preventive interventions are discussed resulting in recommendations towards a (participatory) ergonomic approach.
Abstract: A research project is described that analyses the back pain prevalence and physical working conditions of community nurses. The purpose was to compare the position of nurses working in institutional care with the specific situation of nurses working in the private homes of their patients. The results of a questionnaire showed that the back pain prevalence was relatively high as compared to other occupations and also when compared to other health care sectors. The home care organization is influenced not only by sick leave due to back pain, but also its efficiency is hampered by nurses with back pain who continue to work. It appeared that the total sick leave incidence due to musculoskeletal disorders other than back pain exceeds that due to back pain alone. The physical exposure level not only consisted of frequent and heavy lifting and transferring of patients but also a substantial static workload was present. The onset of back pain seems to result from a gradual build up of overload reaching its maximum. A preventive approach should take these differential loading factors into account. The consequences for preventive interventions are discussed resulting in recommendations towards a (participatory) ergonomic approach. This material forms the baseline of a controlled prospective trial in home care.
180 citations
"Manual Handling Workload and Muscul..." refers background or result in this paper
...Moving or handling a patient is the major cause of injury (Gagnon, Chehade, Kemp, & Lortie, 1987; Harber et al., 1985; Jensen, 1985; Knibbe & Friele, 1996; Owen, 1989; Stobbe Plummer, Jensen, & Attfield, 1988; Stubbs, Buckle, Hudson, Rivers, & Worringham, 1981; Venning, Walter, & Stitt, 1987)....
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...…Cato et al., 1989; Cust, Pearson, & Mair, 1972; Dehlin, et al., 1976; Harber et al., 1985; Ferguson, 1970; Greenwood, 1986; Jensen, 1985, 1987; Knibbe & Friele, 1996; Leighton & Reilly, 1995; Love, 1997; Owen 1985, 1989; Smedley, et al., 1997; Stobbe et al., 1988; Stubbs, Rivers, Hudson, &…...
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...Knibbe and Friele (1996) studied back pain prevalence and the physical working conditions of community nurses....
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...These 7 – 30 day prevalence rates are high compared to the point prevalence of 24% found by Leighton and Reilly (1995) in British nurses but similar to the one year prevalence of 67% found by Knibbe and Friele (1996) in home health nurses....
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...In a study of home health nurses, Knibbe and Friele (1996) found a lifetime prevalence for back pain of 87%, while 67% of nursing staff reported back pain in the previous 12 months....
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