An ergonomic approach to reducing back/shoulder stress in hospital nursing personnel: a five year follow up.

The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of an ergonomic program on perceived stress ratings, injury rates and patient care. After implementation of the ergonomic program, the perceived stress ratings by nursing staff were lower than those ratings at the control hospital and the patients felt more comfortable and secure during patient handling tasks than the patients at the control hospital. Eighteen months after ergonomic interventions, the back and shoulder injuries were reduced, and the lost workdays and restricted/transitional days were decreased. Five years after the implementation, the back and shoulder injuries continued to decrease as well as the lost workdays and restricted days. At the control hospital, the back and shoulder injury rates, the lost workdays, and the restricted days remained stable throughout the study period.