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Ergonomic practices within patient care units are associated with musculoskeletal pain and limitations
Author(s) -
Dennerlein Jack T.,
Hopcia Karen,
Sembajwe Grace,
Kenwood Christopher,
Stoddard Anne M.,
Tveito T. Helene,
Hashimoto Dean M.,
Sorensen Glorian
Publication year - 2012
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.21036
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , logistic regression , human factors and ergonomics , physical therapy , musculoskeletal pain , low back pain , cross sectional study , activities of daily living , occupational safety and health , neck pain , health care , poison control , environmental health , alternative medicine , psychiatry , economics , pathology , economic growth
Background With the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) for patient care unit workers, prevention efforts through ergonomic practices within units may be related to symptoms associated with typical work‐related MSDs. Methods We completed a cross‐sectional survey of patient care workers (n = 1,572) in two large academic hospitals in order to evaluate relationships between self‐reported musculoskeletal pain, work interference due to this pain, and limitations during activities of daily living (functional limitations) and with ergonomic practices and other organizational policy and practices metrics within the unit. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses tested the significance of these associations. Results Prevalence of self‐reported musculoskeletal symptoms in the past 3 months was 74% with 53% reporting pain in the low back. 32.8% reported that this pain interfered with their work duties and 17.7% reported functional limitations in the prior week. Decreased ergonomic practices were significantly associated with reporting pain in four body areas (low back, neck/shoulder, arms, and lower extremity) in the previous 3 months, interference with work caused by this pain, symptom severity, and limitations in completing activities of daily living in the past week. Except for low back pain and work interference, these associations remained significant when psychosocial covariates such as psychological demands were included in multiple logistic regressions. Conclusions Ergonomic practices appear to be associated with many of the musculoskeletal symptoms denoting their importance for prevention efforts in acute health care settings. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:107–116, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.