Is There Anything A Nurse Can Do To Avoid Developing Back Stress Or Injury From Moving And Transferring Patients?

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Is There Anything a Nurse can do to Avoid Developing Back Stress or Injury from Moving and Transferring Patients?

Bailey, L., Fragala, G. (June 2003). Addressing occupational strains and sprains: Musculoskeletal injuries in hospitals. AAOHN Journal. Thorofare, 51(6), 252. Retrieved Octover 13, 2005, from Proquest. Web site: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=353913731&sid=3&Fmt=4&clientld=20368&RQT=309&VName=PQD.html

The high-rate of musculoskeletal injuries in hospitals not only have direct effects on the caregivers, but also upon the patients and the occupational costs of the health care industry. Guy Fragala and Livia Pontani Bailey discuss the major problems and possible methods of approaches that could lead to efficient methods of improvement.

Fragala and Bailey opened the discussion with the effects of occupational injury on the costs, stating the effects on the cost to the health care industry is greater than many realize. They imply the long term effects of the direct costs, such as medical care and compensation pay to injured workers, compounded with the indirect costs, such as replacement of workers, additional training-time, and loss of productivity, greatly exceed the cost of improving ergonomics within the health industry.

One of the major contributors to back injury occurs when a dependent health care patient must be lifted or moved. Due to the weights involved and the postures that must be assumed by the worker the risk of musculoskeletal injury increases. This identification of causation is key in order to minimize occupational back strains or injuries.

Previous approaches, such as the training of body mechanics teaching proper lifting techniques, have proven to be ineffective. Injuries still occur. "Trying to encourage proper lifting technique

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