 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Jane Li, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, 3142769839, lij@msnotes.wustl.edu, Laurie Wolf, MS, CPE, Ergonomics, BJC Corporate Health Services, 5000 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, and Bradley Evanoff, MD, MPH, Division of General Medical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus box 8005, 660 South Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Background – Use of mechanical lifts has been advocated to reduce the high rates of injuries seen in health care workers due to lifting and transferring patients. We evaluated the effectiveness of mechanical lifts in reducing musculoskeletal symptoms, injuries, time-loss, and workers’ compensation costs in workers at a community hospital.
Methods – Patient lifts were installed in 3 hospital departments, and staff trained in their use, between August 2000 and January 2001. Workers completed symptom surveys at baseline and 6 months after lift installation. We analyzed pre- and post-intervention rates of injuries and lost workdays using OSHA log and worker’s compensation data from the period July 1999 through March 2003. Injuries that were potentially related to lifting and transferring patients, such as back and shoulder strains, were included in the analyses.
Results – 39 staff members were surveyed pre-intervention; 20 completed follow-up surveys. Statistically significant improvements in comfort (p<.05) were reported for 6 of 9 body parts, including upper-back, shoulders, and knees. Improved low back comfort was also reported (p = .07). Injury rates decreased post-intervention, with a RR of 0.40 (95% c.i. 0.16-0.96). The RR for lost-day injuries was 0.63 (0.16-2.51). Workers’ compensation costs averaged $484/FTE pre-intervention, and $151 post-intervention. Post-intervention observations showed reduction, though not elimination, of manual lifts and transfers.
Conclusion – Mechanical lifts may be effective in reducing lifting-related musculoskeletal symptoms, injuries, and costs among health care workers. Greater reductions in injuries may occur with further reductions in manual lifting. Our study was limited by its pre-post design.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.