Workplace Prevention and Musculoskeletal Injuries in Nurses

Abstract

Though use of mechanical devices and lifting teams was limited in nursing workplaces, these prevention strategies were related to reduced odds of MSD. Nursing administrators can use these findings to consider workplace changes.

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

“…This finding is interesting because back injury prevention is the primary goal in lift interventions (Marras et al, 2009;Santaguida et al, 2005) and the strongest protective effect of lifts was expected for the low back. Only a few studies have examined the effect of patient lift intervention on shoulders (Li et al, 2004;Trinkoff et al, 2003;Yassi et al, 2001) and these studies reported beneficial effects in line with our study findings. In a study by Yassi et al (2001), significant reductions of work-related shoulder pain and low back pain were found among intervention groups provided with mechanical lifts and other transfer aids compared to the control group using usual practices.…”

“…In a study by Li et al (2004), musculoskeletal comfort scores in the shoulders and upper arms significantly increased six months after providing lifts and training; however, the largest increases in comfort were found for the low and upper back. Another study by Trinkoff et al (2003) also suggested a protective effect on shoulders among nurses with lifts, but the finding was not statistically significant (OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.33-1.31). The definition for pain used by Trinkoff et al (2003) was equivalent to our major pain measure.…”

“…Another study by Trinkoff et al (2003) also suggested a protective effect on shoulders among nurses with lifts, but the finding was not statistically significant (OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.33-1.31). The definition for pain used by Trinkoff et al (2003) was equivalent to our major pain measure.…”

“…These answers were used to define major pain as pain with at least moderate intensity and either with at least one week duration or at least monthly frequency. This definition was adopted from a study by Trinkoff et al (2003). Respondents who had pain were also asked whether they thought the pain was caused or made worse by working.…”

“…However, lifts are not available in many healthcare settings. Even in settings where lifts are provided, actual lift availability and usage is far from optimal (Lee et al, 2010;Trinkoff et al, 2003). A 2011 survey by the American Nurses Association (2012a) showed that while two thirds of respondents had patient lift and transfer devices available, less than one third reported using the devices frequently.…”