Individual and organisational determinants of use of ergonomic devices in healthcare

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aims to identify individual and organisational determinants associated with the use of ergonomic devices during patient handling activities.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out in 19 nursing homes and 19 hospitals. The use of ergonomic devices was assessed through real-time observations in the workplace. Individual barriers to ergonomic device use were identified by structured interviews with nurses and organisational barriers were identified using questionnaires completed by supervisors and managers. Multivariate logistic analysis with generalised estimating equations for repeated measurement was used to estimate determinants of ergonomic device use.Results247 nurses performed 670 patient handling activities that required the use of an ergonomic device. Ergonomic devices were used 68% of the times they were deemed necessary in nursing homes and 59% in hospitals. Determinants of lifting device use were nurses' motivation (OR 1.96), the presence of back complaints in the past 12 months (OR 1.77) and the inclusion in care protocols of strict guidance on the required use of ergonomic devices (OR 2.49). The organisational factors convenience and easily accessible, management support and supportive management climate were associated with these determinants. No associations were found with other ergonomic devices.ConclusionsThe use of lifting devices was higher in nursing homes than in hospitals. Individual and organisational factors seem to play a substantial role in the successful implementation of lifting devices in healthcare.

Assessment of the impact of lifting device use on low back pain and musculoskeletal injury claims among nurses

“…Three intervention studies have suggested that limited use of the available lifting equipment is a possible reason for a lack of reduction in musculoskeletal injury claims9 28 or prevalence of LBP 27. Recent studies on primary preventive interventions on manual patient handling in healthcare settings have identified many barriers at an individual and organisational level that hampered appropriate implementation 33 34…”

Musculoskeletal pain among critical-care nurses by availability and use of patient lifting equipment: An analysis of cross-sectional survey data

“…For example, when there is a conflicting demand for these devices, male nurses may give priority of use to their female nurse colleagues. The level of lift use measures actual utilization for patient handling when needed; both organizational and individual factors play roles in the level of actual use (Koppelaar et al, 2011;Rickett et al, 2006).…”

Musculoskeletal injuries among hospital patient care staff before and after implementation of patient lift and transfer equipment

“…The efficacy of mechanical lift equipment at reducing the biomechanical load of patient-handling tasks has been supported in a controlled laboratory setting (8); however, studies offer different conclusions of the effectiveness of patient-lifting equipment (often implemented in conjunction with other intervention components) at reducing adverse MS conditions among workers in patient-care settings (15)(16)(17). A number of barriers to the use of lift equipment have been described (18)(19)(20); studies suggest mechanical patient lifts are not regularly used in patient care tasks (1,(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). Although equipment effectiveness has been demonstrated in the long-term care setting (23,(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32), results may not be generalizable to the acute care setting, which is characterized by more extensive patient turnover, frequent and abrupt changes to patient acuity, a variety of patient…”