Physical Exposure during Patient Transfer and Risk of Back Injury & Low-back Pain: Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

BackgroundWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are more common among healthcare workers compared with most other professions. Because frequent patient transfer has been associated with increased risk of MSDs, we aim to quantify the physical load associated with commonly used assistive devices and to investigate associations between accumulated physical exposure during patient transfer and risk of MSDs.MethodsBy applying an exposure matrix based on measure¬ments of electromyography and trunk flexion on a large (n=1285) prospective cohort, intensity of low-back pain (LBP) and risk of back injury at 1-year follow-up were modelled using a linear model and logistic regressions, respectively. The cohort was divided into groups based on physical exposure; i.e. low (1st quartile), moderate (2nd and 3rd quartiles) and high (4th quartile) exposure.ResultsExposure profiles are provided for 9 groups of assistive devices, with ceiling lifts and intelligent beds eliciting the lowest physical exposure. In the fully-adjusted model, we report differences in LBP intensity at follow-up between the low and moderate exposure groups (p=0.0085). No differ-ence was found between the moderate and high exposure groups (p=0.2967). Likewise, we find no associations between physical exposure and risk of back injury at 1-year follow-up, with a prevalence of 11%, 13% and 11% for the three groups, respectively. ConclusionsLow physical exposure during patient transfer was prospectively associated with lower intensity of LBP. Consistent use of assistive devices associ¬ated with low physical exposure, namely ceiling-lifts and intelligent beds, may play a role in reducing the prevalence of MSDs among healthcare workers.