PROBLEM: This study evaluated the effect of introducing a No Lifting policy on back injuries to nurses, across an entire health care system. METHODS: Methods included: analysis of the data for all public health agencies in the Australian state of Victoria; compensation data from the Victorian Workcover Authority; data about workforce and program implementation from a retrospective survey of agencies; longitudinal analysis of standardized workers compensation claim rates for back injuries before, during and after the intervention. RESULTS: A statistically significant decline in back injury claim rates during implementation contrasted with no statistically significant trends within the periods before and after the intervention. A statistically significant reduction occurred in mean quarterly standard back injury claim incidence rates per 1,000 equivalent fulltime nursing staff (EFTNS), representing a 24% reduction in standard back injury claims/1000 EFTNS. DISCUSSION: Ergonomics principles encourage changing the work environment to suit the worker. This approach delivered a significant improvement in the immediate term. IMPACT OF INDUSTRY: The substantial decline in back injury rates signifies a major improvement in the safety of a critical aspect of the work environment for nurses.
PROBLEM: This study evaluated the effect of introducing a No Lifting policy on back injuries to nurses, across an entire health care system. METHODS: Methods included: analysis of the data for all public health agencies in the Australian state of Victoria; compensation data from the Victorian Workcover Authority; data about workforce and program implementation from a retrospective survey of agencies; longitudinal analysis of standardized workers compensation claim rates for back injuries before, during and after the intervention. RESULTS: A statistically significant decline in back injury claim rates during implementation contrasted with no statistically significant trends within the periods before and after the intervention. A statistically significant reduction occurred in mean quarterly standard back injury claim incidence rates per 1,000 equivalent fulltime nursing staff (EFTNS), representing a 24% reduction in standard back injury claims/1000 EFTNS. DISCUSSION: Ergonomics principles encourage changing the work environment to suit the worker. This approach delivered a significant improvement in the immediate term. IMPACT OF INDUSTRY: The substantial decline in back injury rates signifies a major improvement in the safety of a critical aspect of the work environment for nurses.
Authors: Sebastian Buck; Jan Sandqvist; Emma Nilsing Strid; Hanneke J J Knibbe; Paul Enthoven; Charlotte Wåhlin Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2022-06-03 Impact factor: 2.562
Authors: Markus D Jakobsen; Birgit Aust; Johnny Dyreborg; Pete Kines; Maja B Illum; Lars L Andersen Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2016-12-20 Impact factor: 2.362
Authors: Lars Louis Andersen; Jonas Vinstrup; Ebbe Villadsen; Kenneth Jay; Markus Due Jakobsen Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-11-15 Impact factor: 3.390