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Reduction in injury rates in nursing personnel through introduction of mechanical lifts in the workplace
Author(s) -
Evanoff B.,
Wolf L.,
Aton E.,
Canos J.,
Collins James
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.10294
Subject(s) - medicine , acute care , back injury , occupational safety and health , musculoskeletal injury , skilled nursing facility , emergency medicine , physical therapy , injury prevention , health care , occupational injury , poison control , medical emergency , alternative medicine , pathology , economics , economic growth
Background Health care workers incur frequent injuries resulting from patient transfer and handling tasks. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of mechanical lifts in preventing injuries and time loss due to these injuries. Methods We examined injury and lost workday rates before and after the introduction of mechanical lifts in acute care hospitals and long‐term care (LTC) facilities, and surveyed workers regarding lift use. Results The post‐intervention period showed decreased rates of musculoskeletal injuries (RR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68–1.00), lost workday injuries (RR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.41–0.78), and total lost days due to injury (RR = 0.42). Larger reductions were seen in LTC facilities than in hospitals. Self‐reported frequency of lift use by registered nurses and by nursing aides were higher in the LTC facilities than in acute care hospitals. Observed reductions in injury and lost day injury rates were greater on nursing units that reported greater use of the lifts. Conclusions Impglementation of patient lifts can be effective in reducing occupational musculoskeletal injuries to nursing personnel in both LTC and acute care settings. Strategies to facilitate greater use of mechanical lifting devices should be explored, as further reductions in injuries may be possible with increased use. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:451–457, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.