The use of logs to assess exposure to manual handling of patients, illustrated in an intervention study in home care nursing

Abstract

This article approaches the option of logging lifting activities by nurses in patient care. Practical problems in nursing limit the use of direct observation and measurements to assess exposure to lifting in real life settings. Indications were found that logs registering the frequency of manual handling could be an option in nursing. The development of a log is accounted for and its use during an intervention, introducing 40 patient hoists in home care, is described. The exposure to manual handling was reduced significantly in the intervention group (average number of patient transfers per nurse/week (ptn/w) 35-21). The control group remained stable (ptn/w 24-24). The reduction of exposure was only partly due to the hoists substituting manual transfers, suggesting the presence of an elimination effect. Possible explanations indicating that the hoists were partly responsible for this are: 1. The patients' relatives could now perform the transfers with the hoist; 2. Hoists combine several manual transfers into one mechanical transfer; 3. Hoists require only one operator for manual transfers that require two nurses. The log pointed to unpredicted elimination effects in addition to the substitution effects, and provided detailed information for evaluating the intervention. Relevance to industry Assessment of exposure to manual handling, using a frequency-oriented log, appears to provide relevant information for designing back pain prevention policies in nursing. Insight is given into the effects of an intervention using hoists. With some adaptations, the log could monitor ergonomic policies in nursing practice on a routine basis. This is a NIVEL certified Post Print, more info at http://www.nivel.eu Knibbe, J.J., Friele, R.D. The use of logs to assess exposure to manual handling of patients, illustrated in an intervention study in home care nursing.

Safety risks associated with physical interactions between patients and caregivers during treatment and care delivery in Home Care settings: A systematic review

“…Three other papers were excluded as a preliminary baseline study where the follow-up paper was included (Beer et al, 2014;Brulin et al, 2001;Knibbe and Friele, 1999). This resulted in the 37 included papers listed in Table 2 for a qualitative synthesis.…”

International consensus on manual handling of people in the healthcare sector: Technical report ISO/TR 12296

“…It includes detailed information (quantified risk factors, benefits, limitations, type and location of use) about specific assessment tools: OWAS (Karhu et al, 1977), BIPP (Feldstein et al, 1990), REBA (Hignett and McAtamney, 2000), PATE (Kjellberg et al, 2000), DiNO (Johnsson et al, 2004), PTAI (Karhula et al, 2009), MAPO (Battevi et al, 2006), TilThermometer (Knibbe and Friele, 1999), Dortmund Approach (Jäger et al, 2010) as well as other analytical examples for patient handling activities (Stobbe et al, 1988;Radovanovic and Alexandre, 2004). Case studies are used to illustrate 4 of the commonly used risk assessment tools (Dortmund Approach, TilThermometer, MAPO and PTAI).…”

“…Patient experience in a single transfer or mobility situation ) 10. Physical workload factors measure using data from Knibbe and Friele (1999), Cohen et al (2004) and Arjo Ab (2006). 11.…”

TROPHI: development of a tool to measure complex, multi-factorial patient handling interventions

“…In patient handling studies, both Knibbe and Friele (1999) and Warming et al (2008) create models for exposure based on logbook records. (iv) Subjective appraisal measures Many subjective assessments of a workers response to the task, e.g.…”