Manual patient handling in the healthcare setting: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Manual patient handling is the most frequently reported risk factor for work related musculoskeletal disorders in healthcare. Patient handling tasks are routinely performed manually without assistive devices and can create awkward postures and high loads for nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs). However, AHPs, notably physiotherapists, also utilize therapeutic handling to facilitate patient movement during rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively map the literature surrounding manual patient handling (without assistive devices) by healthcare practitioners. METHODS: AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and EMBASE databases were searched. Grey literature was sourced from Google Scholar, EThOS, Open Grey, Health and Safety Executive, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and Work Safe Australia. Literature published in English between 2002 and 2021 was included. RESULTS: Forty-nine records were included: 36 primary research studies, 1 systematic review and 12 'other' including narrative and government reports. Primary research was predominantly observational cross-sectional (n = 21). The most common settings included laboratories (n = 13) and hospitals (n = 13). Seven research questions were identified, with patient handling practices (n = 13) the most common. Nurses formed the largest practitioner population (n = 13) and patients were often simulated (n = 12). Common outcomes included tasks performed (n = 13) and physical demands during patient handling (n = 13). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS: This comprehensive scoping review identified that most research was observational, investigating nurses in hospitals or laboratories. More research on manual patient handling by AHPs and investigation of the biomechanics involved in therapeutic handling is needed. Further qualitative research would allow for greater understanding of manual patient handling practices within healthcare. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.

The differences between normal and obese patient handling: re- structural analysis of two questionnaires.

BACKGROUND: Precise causes of musculoskeletal complaints among nurses are not known well, but many studies have pointed to manual patient handling tasks. Subjective judgment and decision-making process for patient lifting is crucial for gathering data regards patient handling. The aim of this study was to consider reliability and validity and re-structure of two special tools for patient handling's tasks. METHODS: In this cross- sectional study 249 nurses were fully participated. As recommended by literature for cultural adaptation of instruments, forward/backward translation method was applied. Reliability of the translated version was assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Validity testing for the two scales was based on content validity index/ratio analysis and also Exploratory Factor Analysis was run to extract latent factors. RESULTS: Reliability estimated by internal consistency reached a Cronbach's Alpha of above 0.7 for all subscales of two questionnaires. After testing the validity, the final version of questionnaires was remained by 14 and 15 questions respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These instruments evaluated for manual handling of normal and obese patients had acceptable validity and reliability in Iranian Nursing context. So, these tools can be used in further studies with the same cultures.

The influence of bed height as a percentage of participant height on low back forces when boosting a patient up in bed.

BACKGROUND: Repositioning patients is a frequent task for healthcare workers causing substantial stress to the low back. Patient handling methodologies that reduce low back load should be used. Some studies have observed the effect of bed height on back forces using a limited range of heights. This study details a wider range. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to discover an optimal bed height for reducing low back force when boosting a patient. METHODS: 11 university students and local residents participated by completing a series of boosts with a 91.6 kg research assistant acting as dependent. The bed was adjusted 3% of participant height and 3 boosts were completed at each height which resulted in 8-10 different bed heights depending on the height of the participant. Motion and force data were collected to estimate low back forces via 3DSSPP. Pearson's R was performed to observe the correlation between caregiver height and low back forces. RESULTS: There were significant negative correlations between bed height and low back compression force at L4-L5 (r = -0.676, p = <0.001) and L5-S1 (r = -0.704, p = <0.001). There were no significant correlations with any shear forces. CONCLUSION: The highest bed height led to decreased low back compression forces regardless of participant height, but there was not a significant difference in shear forces. Thus, healthcare workers may experience less low back stress with the bed at a higher height. There may be a force tradeoff between the low back and other parts of the body that needs further exploration. Healthcare workers need to be made aware of the implications of adjusting the environment when performing patient handling tasks.

The impact of manual patient handling on work ability: A cross-sectional study in a Brazilian hospital.

AIM: To investigate the level of self-reported work ability and its association with manual patient handling in healthcare workers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study adhering to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. METHODS: A total of 320 healthcare workers answered a self-administered questionnaire regarding manual patient handling, work ability, occupational factors, occurrence of low back pain and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors from November 2016 to March 2017. The association between manual patient handling and low back pain was analysed with Poisson regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence ratio of inadequate work ability was 43.42%. Manual patient handling (PR 1.375, 95% CI 1.038-1.821), bachelor education (PR 2.150, 95% CI 1.272-3.632), less than bachelor education (PR 2.166, 95% CI 1.218-3.855), seniority (PR 1.049, 95% CI 1.024-1.086), poor sleep quality (PR 1.425, 95% CI 1.13-1.796) and presence of low back pain (PR 2.003, 95% CI 1.314-3.052) were all positively associated with an inadequate work ability.

Chair design for older immobile people: Comparison of pressure mapping and manual handling outcomes.

The number of older adults unable to transfer or ambulate independently is increasing. High support chairs enable people experiencing loss of mobility to be mobile, but current chair designs are associated with global functional loss and pressure ulcers. This pilot study compared the functionality of a traditional design high support chair to a new design of motorised high support chair: 1) a motion laboratory study compared joint angles and pressure at the hip, knee, ankle, elbow and spine when pushing each chair, and 2) a pressure mapping study compared the interface pressure when older people with limited mobility used the chairs. Significant reduction in joint angles for the person pushing the chair (degree difference range -3.6 to 14.2) and decreased seated pressure (w/kg difference range -0.2 to 2.1) for the seated user were identified for the motorised chair. Longitudinal investigations are required to determine if the significant differences identified in this pilot study result in less manual handling injuries and pressure areas.

Healthcare workers' knowledge for safe handling and moving of the patient.

Objectives. Healthcare workers are at risk of injury during patient handling activities. There is a lack of research in safe patient handling. The objective of this study was to examine the knowledge level of safe patient handling among Brazilian healthcare workers and to analyze its associated factors. Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed in two hospitals and 47 outpatient facilities with 644 participants in Brazil. Healthcare workers completed a self-administered questionnaire about their working characteristics, history of lower back pain and knowledge of safe patient handling. Results. The mean score of safe patient handling knowledge was 11.89 out of 22 maximum points. More than half (59%) of the participants did not see the risk of their activity. Educational level, type of healthcare facility and outpatient clinics were associated with safe patient handling knowledge in the logistic regression model. Conclusion. There was a substantial deficit in safe patient handling knowledge. There is a need for courses and textbooks to move beyond ineffective preventive strategies and minimize the risk of manual patient handling. Healthcare workers are at risk of injury during patient handling activities. Nursing schools in developing countries must focus on researching this topic to ensure safe patient handling.

Valoración de las respuestas conductuales al dolor durante el cambio postural en pacientes sedados orointubados / Assessment of behavioral responses to pain during postural change in intubated sedated patients

Introducción: los pacientes críticos, bajo sedación y apoyo ventilatorio invasivo presentan dolor, la barrera más grande para su detección es la incapacidad de comunicarse; sin embargo, el hecho de que el paciente no pueda referir su dolor, no significa que no lo padezca. Objetivo: describir las respuestas conductuales al dolor durante el cambio postural en pacientes sedados oro intubados. Material y métodos: estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, observacional, longitudinal. Muestra n= 50 pacientes, se utilizó la escala BPS (Behavioral Pain Scale) como instrumento de valoración del dolor, se midió en tres momentos: 1 minuto antes, durante y 10 minutos después del cambio postural. Resultados: el cambio postural del paciente con sedación y ventilación mecánica provocó dolor en 56% de los pacientes; antes de realizar el cambio postural se identificó una media del dolor de 4.6, durante el cambio postural aumento a 6.5 y posterior al cambio disminuyo a una media de 4, siendo un factor protector. Conclusiones: la movilización del paciente sedado oro intubado requiere de la participación del equipo multidisciplinar, para el manejo de la ventilación mecánica, el cuidado de sondas y catéteres, cuidados de la piel, prevención de caídas y aplicación correcta de la técnica de movilización, la cual demanda experiencia clínica del personal que participa en la valoración y manejo de las respuestas conductuales al dolor.

Introduction: critical patients, under sedation and invasive ventilatory support present pain, the greatest barrier to its detection is the inability to communicate, however, the fact that the patient cannot report their pain does not mean that they do not suffer from it. Objective: to describe the behavioral responses to pain during postural change in sedated or intubated patients. Material and Methods: quantitative, descriptive, observational, longitudinal study. Sample n = 50 patients, the BPS scale (Behavioral Pain Scale) was used as an instrument for assessing pain, it was measured at three moments: 1 minute before, during and 10 minutes after the postural change. Results: the postural change of the patient with sedation and mechanical ventilation caused unacceptable pain in 56% of the patients; Before making the postural change, a mean pain of 4.6 was identified, during the postural change it increased to 6.5 and after the change it decreased to a mean of 4, being a protective factor. Conclusions: the mobilization of the sedated or intubated patient requires the participation of the multidisciplinary team, for the management of mechanical ventilation, care of tubes and catheters, skin care, prevention of falls and correct application of the mobilization technique, which It demands clinical experience from the personnel involved in the assessment and management of behavioral responses to pain.

Safe patient handling legislation and changes in programs, practices, perceptions, and experience of musculoskeletal disorders by hospital characteristics: A repeated cross-sectional survey study.

BACKGROUND: Safe patient handling legislation has been enacted in 11 states in the United States to protect healthcare workers from patient handing injuries. Implementations and outcomes may vary across hospitals by the characteristics of the institution. OBJECTIVES: This study was to investigate the changes in safe patient handling programs in hospitals, and nurses' perceptions, work practices, and musculoskeletal symptoms by hospital characteristics after the passage of California's safe patient handling legislation. DESIGN: Repeated cross-sectional surveys. SETTINGS: Two statewide surveys of registered nurses were conducted in California, where a safe patient handling law became effective in 2012. Random samples were selected from the lists of the California Board of Registered Nurses (2000 nurses in 2013 and 3000 nurses in 2016). PARTICIPANTS: Among survey respondents (26% in 2013 and 20% in 2016), the study sample included 254 nurses in 2013 and 281 nurses in 2016, who met the eligibility for this study: nurses employed in a hospital and had direct patient care or patient handling duties. METHODS: Data were collected by postal and on-line surveys. Data were compared by hospital size, geographic area, hospital teaching status, and ownership (for-profit, non-profit, government). RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2016, nurses' reports showed improvements in safe patient handling policies and programs across the different characteristics of hospitals. In 2016, nurses in large, teaching, non-profit, and rural hospitals reported slightly better scores for safe patient handling program variables than their counterparts; however, changes in the use of mechanical lifting devices and experiences of musculoskeletal symptoms and injury were not significantly different by hospital characteristics. Overall, teaching hospitals consistently showed greater improvements than non-teaching hospitals for both hospital-level (safe patient handling programs and organizational practices) and individual-level (perceptions and symptoms) variables. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate overall improvements of safe patient handling programs in California hospitals after the passage of safe patient handling legislation. Positive changes appear to be greater among teaching, non-profit, and rural hospitals. However, greater positive changes in safe patient handling programs shown in certain hospital characteristics were not necessarily linked to more improvements in nurses' safe work practices and experiences of musculoskeletal symptoms or injuries.

Enfermagem de reabilitação na capacitação da pessoa para o autocuidado transferir-se / Nursing rehabilitation in the person's training for self-care transfer

Nos dias de hoje, são diversas as causas das alterações da mobilidade que acarretam consequência negativas, resultantes do repouso prolongado no leito. O autocuidado transferir-se permite à pessoa mover-se de uma superfície para outra, incentivando ao autocuidado e treino de equilíbrio, prevenindo as alterações que da imobilidade podem advir. Este relatório tem como objetivo descrever, analisar e refletir acerca das atividades desenvolvidas no decorrer do estágio final, com o intuito de adquirir e desenvolver as competências de Mestre e de Enfermeiro Especialista em Enfermagem de Reabilitação. O foco de atenção foi o projeto de intervenção profissional desenvolvido e implementado durante este estágio, direcionado para a capacitação da pessoa para o autocuidado transferir-se. Após a implementação deste projeto, constatou-se uma evolução positiva a nível da força muscular, equilíbrio funcional e autocuidados, nomeadamente no autocuidado transferir-se, pelo que foi possível aferir o benefício da implementação do programa.

Mobility alterations may occur due to numerous causes nowadays, and it usually comes with negative consequences that are promoted by an extended laid rest. Self-care transfer al-lows a person to move from one surface to another, encouraging self-care and balance training, preventing the alterations that may occur from immobility. This report tends to describe, analyse and reflect about all the activities that took place during the final internship, in order to acquire Master and Rehabilitation Nursing Specialist nurse skills. The main goal was the professional intervention project developed and established during this internship, with the intention to train people to self-care transfer. After the implementation of this project, we were able to see a positive evolution, es-pecially when it comes to muscle strength, functional balance and self-care transfer. This way, it's safe to say that the program has been benefic on the self-care process.

Orientações sobre transferências na redução da intensidade da dor lombar crônica de cuidadores familiares em um ambulatório de cuidados paliativos: estudo piloto / Guidelines on transfers in the reduction of chronic low back pain intensity of family caregivers in a palliative care ambulatory: pilot study

Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia de uma estratégia de orientações verbal e escrita sobre transferências na redução da dor lombar em cuidador familiar de pacientes em cuidados paliativos; o impacto no desempenho das tarefas diárias do cuidador antes e após a intervenção e se a adesão às orientações resultou em melhora clínica significativa da dor e do desempenho nas atividades. Método: Trata-se de ensaio clínico piloto, realizado no ambulatório de cuidados paliativos do HCFMUSP. Foram avaliados 4 cuidadores familiares divididos em dois grupos. O grupo intervenção recebeu orientação verbal e escrita e o grupo controle apenas orientação verbal. A análise dos dados foi realizada através de medida de proporção e análise de significância estatística pelo teste exato de Fisher. A correlação entre as variáveis será realizada através de regressão logística. Resultados: Houve dificuldade no recrutamento com influência direta no tamanho reduzido da amostra. Os resultados preliminares sobre a eficácia da intervenção para redução de dor e aumento de desempenho em cuidadores familiares não demonstraram significância estatística. A análise descritiva de aderência às recomendações aponta para uma tendência promissora quanto à viabilidade da intervenção educativa. Conclusão: A relevância deste ensaio piloto deve-se a avaliação preliminar do tempo necessário para se recrutar um número adequado de participantes e a tendência de boa aderência à intervenção. A dificuldade de recrutamento de pacientes em final de vida é previsível devido ao tempo reduzido de sobrevida e a complexidade do cuidado. A eficácia da intervenção somente poderá ser demonstrada com o ajuste do tamanho da amostra.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of strategy of verbal and written guidance on transference in the reduction of low back pain in the family caregiver of patients in palliative care; the impact on the performance of the daily tasks of the caregiver before and after the intervention and whether adherence to the guidelines resulted in a significant clinical improvement of pain and performance in the activities. Method: This is a pilot clinical trial, performed at the HCFMUSP palliative care outpatient. Four family caregivers were divided into two groups. The intervention group received verbal and written guidance and the group controlled verbal guidance. The analysis of the data was performed by measurement of proportion and analysis of statistical significance by the Fisher exact test. The correlation between the variables will be performed through logistic regression. Results: Due to the small sample size, preliminary results on the efficacy of the intervention to reduce pain and increase performance in family caregivers did not demonstrate statistical significance. The descriptive analysis of adherence to the recommendations points to a promising tendency towards the feasibility of the educational intervention. Conclusion: The relevance of this pilot test is due to the preliminary evaluation of the time needed to recruit an adequate number of participants and the tendency of good adherence to the intervention. The difficulty of recruiting end-of-life patients is predictable due to reduced survival time and the complexity of care. The effectiveness of the intervention can only be demonstrated by adjusting the sample size.

Knee pain in nursing home workers after implementation of a safe resident handling program.

PURPOSE: Approximately 25-30% of nursing personnel experience knee pain (KP). We sought to identify physical and psychosocial work exposures, and personal factors related to prevalent, incident, and persistent KP 5-8 years after safe resident handing program (SRHP) implementation in nursing homes. METHODS: Health and exposure information was obtained from worker surveys 5-6 years ("F5") and 7-8 years ("F6") post-SRHP implementation. Prevalent KP correlates were examined at F5; persistent and incident KP predictors were analyzed at F6, utilizing robust Poisson multivariable regression. RESULTS: F5 KP prevalence (19.7%) was associated with combined physical exposures, and with either high job strain or low social support, in separate models. Two-year persistent KP was similarly associated with these psychosocial exposures. Being overweight was associated with KP in all analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The SRHP program did not eliminate knee physical loading, which should be reduced to prevent nursing home worker KP. Workplace psychosocial exposures (high job strain, low social support) also appeared germane.

Do Technical Aids for Patient Handling Prevent Musculoskeletal Complaints in Health Care Workers?-A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies.

The physical load ensuing from the repositioning and moving of patients puts health care workers at risk of musculoskeletal complaints. Technical equipment developed to aid with patient handling should reduce physical strain and workload; however, the efficacy of these aids in preventing musculoskeletal disorders and complaints is still unclear. A systematic review of controlled intervention studies was conducted to examine if the risk of musculoskeletal complaints and disorders is reduced by technical patient handling equipment. MEDLINE®/PubMed®, EMBASE®, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL®) were searched using terms for nursing, caregiving, technical aids, musculoskeletal injuries, and complaints. Randomized controlled trials and controlled before-after studies of interventions including technical patient handling equipment were included. The titles and abstracts of 9554 publications and 97 full-texts were screened by two reviewers. The qualitative synthesis included one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and ten controlled before-after studies. A meta-analysis of four studies resulted in a pooled risk ratio for musculoskeletal injury claims (post-intervention) of 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.68-0.90). Overall, the methodological quality of the studies was poor and the results often based on administrative injury claim data, introducing potential selection bias. Interventions with technical patient handling aids appear to prevent musculoskeletal complaints, but the certainty of the evidence according to GRADE approach ranged from low to very low.

The method to reduce the malposition rate via reposition of guidewire with ultrasound guidance in the central venous catheterization

OBJECTIVE: Malposition of central venous catheterization (CVC) may cause vascular related complications and catheter dysfunctions. The aim of this study was to reduce the malposition rate of CVC by repositioning the malposition after confirming the location of the guide-wire with ultrasound (US) guidance. METHODS: This research assessed the before study (group A) from January to December 2016 and after study (group B) from January to December 2017 in the emergency department. CVCs were performed using the anatomical landmark technique (group A) and US guided technique (group B). In group B, if the guided-wire was misplaced, it was drawn back and repositioned under US guidance. The final location of the catheter tip was confirmed by chest X-ray. The rate of malposition before and after repositioning of the two groups was compared. RESULTS: The subjects were group A (694 cases) and group B (619 cases) with a total of 1,313 patients. The rate of malposition before repositioning of the two groups were 16 cases (2.3%) and 13 cases (2.1%), respectively, and no statistically significant difference was observed (P>0.05). In group B, there were 10 cases (1.6%) of guidewire malposition that was identified and three cases (0.5%) of catheter malposition could not be identified under US examination. The malpositioned guidewires were all corrected by repositioning under ultrasound guidance. The rate of malposition after repositioning of the two groups were 2.3% (n=16) and 0.5% (n=3), respectively, and a statistically significant difference was observed (P=0.009). CONCLUSION: With US guidance, confirming the location and repositioning CVC guidewire can reduce the malposition rate in CVCs.

A intervenção do enfermeiro especialista em enfermagem de reabilitação na prevenção de lesões músculo-esqueléticas na comunidade / The intervention of the nurse specialist in rehabilitation nursing in the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries in the community

A abrangência da Enfermagem de Reabilitação não se limita apenas às instituições hospitalares e/ou de outra tipologia e vai até ao local onde o cidadão vive, trabalha e se relaciona, o que exige um profissional capaz de mobilizar conhecimentos e competências, com vista a um cuidado holístico, como é o caso da comunidade. As lesões músculo-esqueléticas são um problema de saúde multifatorial que se constituem como uma prioridade de atuação da Enfermagem de Reabilitação, a diferentes níveis, sendo que a promoção da saúde será fundamental para trazer ganhos em saúde a toda a população. Nesta ótica foi realizado um Estágio de Natureza Profissional com os objetivos gerais de desenvolver competências especializadas na prática de cuidados de Enfermagem de Reabilitação e de contribuir para a mudança de cuidados na prevenção das lesões músculo-esqueléticas na comunidade, nomeadamente, pela capacitação dos cuidadores informais de doentes dependentes no domicílio e da comunidade escolar. Para melhor dar resposta aos objetivos descritos previamente utilizou-se por base a Metodologia de Projeto e desenvolveram-se três atividades major: "Prática de Cuidados de Enfermagem de Reabilitação na Comunidade"; "Prevenção de Lesões Músculoesqueléticas nos Cuidadores Informais de Doentes Dependentes no Domicílio" e "Na Escola Eu Aprendo… Às Lesões Músculo-esqueléticas Não me Rendo!". As intervenções desenvolvidas permitiram ir de encontro à capacitação dos cuidadores informais de doentes dependentes no domicílio, pois a amostra abrangida evidenciou melhoria em relação a quinze das vinte medidas preventivas de lesões músculoesqueléticas ensinadas/instruídas e treinadas e no caso da comunidade escolar os comportamentos transmitidos como ideais/corretos nas sessões sobre "Educação Postural" foram os mais expressados pelos alunos. Contudo, verificou-se uma baixa taxa de adesão e valorização dos exercícios preventivos das lesões músculo-esqueléticas, tanto nos cuidadores informais, como nos estudantes. Considera-se, assim, que os objetivos planeados foram cumpridos na sua generalidade, dando realce à alteração do paradigma primordial da Enfermagem de Reabilitação, que é a prevenção terciária, em benefício da prevenção primária e secundária. Realça-se a importância de continuar a investir nesta área específica, incluindo novos estudos, validando instrumentos de medida adequados e até levando intervenções deste cariz a outras populações, no âmbito do campo de atuação da Enfermagem de Reabilitação.

The scope of rehabilitation nursing does not end in the hospitals and/or similar institutions but it continues up to the place where the citizen lives, works and socializes, which requires a professional who is capable of mobilizing knowledge and skills, in order to provide a holistic care, as it is the case of the community. The musculoskeletal injuries, which are a multifactorial health problem, constitute a priority in the Rehabilitation Nursing practice at different levels, being the health promotion something pivotal in bringing health gains to the entire population. Bearing this in mind, a Professional Internship took place, with the general objectives of developing specialised skills in the practice of Rehabilitation Nursing care, and of contributing for a change of care services in the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries in the community, namely, by the training of informal caregivers of dependent patients at home and in the school community. In order to give a better response to the aims that were previously mentioned, the Project Methodology was used as a basis, and three major activities were developed: "Practice of Rehabilitation Nursing Care in the Community"; "Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Informal Caregivers of Dependent Patients at Home" and "At school I learn... To the MuskuloskeletaI Injuries I Don't Surrender!" The interventions carried out, allowed us to meet the training of the informal caregivers of dependent patients at home, since the sample covered showed improvement in relation to fifteen of the twenty preventive measures of musculoskeletal injuries taught/instructed and trained and in the case of the school community the behaviors transmitted as ideal/correct in the sessions of "Postural Education" were the most expressed by the students. However, there was a low rate of adherence and valorization of the preventive exercises of musculoskeletal injuries, both in informal caregivers and in students. It is considered, therefore, that the planned objectives were fulfilled in their generality, emphasizing the alteration of the primordial paradigm of Rehabilitation Nursing, which is the tertiary prevention, for the benefit of primary and secondary prevention. It should be emphasised the importance of continuing to invest in this specific area, by including new studies, validating adequate measuring instruments or even bringing similar interventions to other populations, as far as the action in the field of Rehabilitation Nursing is concerned.

Back and neck pain disability and upper limb symptoms of home healthcare workers: A case-control study from Northern Italy.

OBJECTIVES: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are quite frequent in healthcare workers (HCWs), but data about MSD in home-based healthcare workers (HHWs) are lacking. In this study we describe the prevalence of MSD among Italian HHWs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study was carried out among 300 random-selected female HCWs, the sample comprising 100 HHWs, 100 HCWs with a low exposure to patient handling (MAPO - Movimentazione e Assistenza Pazienti Ospedalizzati - Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patients index 0-5) and 100 HCWs with high exposure to patient handling (MAPO index ≥ 5.01). As a negative control group, 200 visual display unit workers were also randomly selected. Musculoskeletal disorder cases were collected using a standardized case definition. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed comparing the MSD prevalence in the 4 groups. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MSD was 17% in the reference group and 28.3% for HCWs. HHWs and HCWs with MAPO index ≥ 5.01 had similar prevalence of neck pain (9% and 11%, respectively), whereas lumbosacral pain prevalence was higher in the HHWs group (31%), with similar results in residential HCWs groups (21% in MAPO index 0-5 group and 25% in MAPO index ≥ 5.01 group). HCWs of group MAPO index ≥ 5.01 and HHWs showed the higher prevalence of upper limb complaints, with a prevalence of 20% and 10%, respectively. In multivariate regression analysis, prevalence of MSD complaints was quite similar in HHWs (adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) = 2.335, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.318-4.138) and in HCWs of the group MAPO ≥ 5.01 (ORadj = 2.729, 95% CI: 1.552-4.797). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MSD in the examined HCWs was relatively high, with HHWs appearing as a particularly high-risk group for lumbosacral back pain. In higher exposed HCWs, upper-limb symptoms were particularly frequent, probably reflecting the different tasks required to manage residential and homebased patients. In conclusion, this study reaffirms the high prevalence of MSD in HHWs, seemly similar to high-risk residential groups. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(2):291-304.

Predictors of low back pain in nursing home workers after implementation of a safe resident handling programme.

OBJECTIVES: Healthcare workers have high rates of low back pain (LBP) related to handling patients. A large chain of nursing homes experienced reduced biomechanical load, compensation claims and costs following implementation of a safe resident handling programme (SRHP). The aim of this study was to examine whether LBP similarly declined and whether it was associated with relevant self-reported occupational exposures or personal health factors. METHODS: Worker surveys were conducted on multiple occasions beginning with the week of first SRHP introduction (baseline). In each survey, the outcome was LBP during the prior 3 months with at least mild severity during the past week. Robust Poisson multivariable regression models were constructed to examine correlates of LBP cross-sectionally at 2 years (F3) and longitudinally at 5-6 years (F5) post-SRHP implementation among workers also in at least one prior survey. RESULTS: LBP prevalence declined minimally between baseline and F3. The prevalence was 37% at F3 and cumulative incidence to F5 was 22%. LBP prevalence at F3 was positively associated with combined physical exposures, psychological job demands and prior back injury, while frequent lift device usage and 'intense' aerobic exercise frequency were protective. At F5, the multivariable model included frequent lift usage at F3 (relative risk (RR) 0.39 (0.18 to 0.84)) and F5 work-family imbalance (RR=1.82 (1.12 to 2.98)). CONCLUSIONS: In this observational study, resident lifting device usage predicted reduced LBP in nursing home workers. Other physical and psychosocial demands of nursing home work also contributed, while frequent intense aerobic exercise appeared to reduce LBP risk.

Nurses' competence in kinaesthetics : A concept development.

AIM: This study was carried out to systematically describe nurses' competence in kinaesthetics. BACKGROUND: In elderly care the kinaesthetics program for nurses has been taught for over 25 years; however, the competence that nurses should gain through kinaesthetics training from a theoretical perspective has not yet been systematically described. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The method was modelled after the three phases of the hybrid model of concept development by Schwartz-Barcott and Kim (2000). In the theoretical phase a working definition was established and a literature review conducted. We searched the online databases PubMed and CINAHL and the reference lists up to February 2016. In the empirical phase experts defined the attributes during a workshop in October 2013. In the analytical phase the results from the theoretical and empirical phase were combined in order to define antecedents, attributes and consequences of the concept. RESULTS: The concept of nurses' competence in kinaesthetics includes two antecedents: (1) nurses' kinaesthetics training and (2) care recipients' need for mobility support in activities of daily living. This concept includes a set of attributes in the areas of knowledge, skills, attitudes and dynamic state. It contributes towards (1) movement competence and (2) physical and psychological well-being of both care recipients and nurses. CONCLUSION: The concept of nurses' competence in kinaesthetics might support awareness and communication about mobility-enhancing gerontological care. Based on the attributes of nurse' competence in kinaesthetics an assessment instrument will be developed that can be used to evaluate nurses' competence in kinaesthetics in clinical practice. Further research is needed to evaluate the consequences of the developed concept.

Safety risks associated with physical interactions between patients and caregivers during treatment and care delivery in Home Care settings: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the safety risks associated with physical interactions between patients and caregivers during treatment and care delivery in Home Care settings. DESIGN: Seven-stage framework from the PRISMA statement for research question, eligibility (definition), search, identification of relevant papers from title and abstract, selection and retrieval of papers, appraisal and synthesis. DATA SOURCES: British Nursing Index (BNI), Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA), Cinahl, Cochrane Library, Embase, Ergonomics Abstracts, Health Business Elite, Health Management Information Consortium (HMIC), Medline, PsycInfo, Scopus, Social Care online, Social Science Citation Index. REVIEW METHODS: The included references (n=42) were critically appraised using a modified version of Downs and Black checklist and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: The risk factors are reported using the modified model of human factors of health care in the home to represent the roles of both patients and caregivers in the system. The results are grouped as environment (health policy, physical and social), artefacts (equipment and technology), tasks (procedures and work schedules) and care recipient/provider. These include permanent and temporary building design and access, communication and lone working, provision of equipment and consumables, and clinical tasks. The topics with strong evidence from at least 2 papers relate to risks associated with awkward working positions, social environment issues (additional tasks and distractions), abuse and violence, inadequate team (peer) support, problems with workload planning, needle stick injuries and physical workload (moving and handling patients). CONCLUSIONS: As home care increases, there is a need to ensure the safety of both patients and caregivers with an understanding of the physical interactions and tasks to manage safety risks and plan safer care delivery systems.

Age-related variation in mobility independence among wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate age-related variation in mobility independence among community-living wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Community Survey (2011-2013) as part of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 16 years or older with traumatic or non-traumatic SCI permanently residing in Switzerland and using a wheelchair for moving around moderate distances (10-100 m). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. OUTCOME MEASURES: Mobility-related items of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure-Self Report were matched to the three principal domains "changing basic body position," "transferring oneself" and "moving around." Binary outcomes ("independence" vs. "no independence") were created for every domain and analyzed using multivariable logistic regression (adjusted for sex, socioeconomic factors, SCI characteristics, and health conditions). RESULTS: Regression analyses (N = 949; 27% women; median age 51, interquartile range 41-61) showed a decline in the odds of independence (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval) with increasing age for "changing basic body position" (age 16-30 (reference), 31-45 (0.99; 0.53-1.83), 46-60 (0.64; 0.33-1.21), 61-75 (0.45; 0.22-0.92), 76+ (0.18; 0.07-0.44); P < 0.001), "transferring oneself" (age 16-30 (reference), 31-45 (0.77; 0.37-1.61), 46-60 (0.39; 0.18-0.84), 61+ (0.05; 0.02-0.14); P < 0.001), and "moving around" (age 16-30 (reference), 31-45 (0.79; 0.42-1.48), 46-60 (0.49; 0.26-0.94), 61-75 (0.49; 0.24-1.01), 75+ (0.11; 0.04-0.30); P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Mobility independence was negatively associated with age in wheelchair users with SCI. Future longitudinal analyses are required to gain further insights into the causal factors for the age-related decline.

Riscos ergonômicos para trabalhadores de enfermagem ao movimentar e remover pacientes / Riesgo ergonómico para trabajadores de enfermería al trasladar y mover pacientes / Ergonomic risk for nursing workers in moving and removing patients

Objetivo: mapear os riscos ergonômicos para trabalhadores de enfermagem durante procedimentos de movimentação e remoção de pacientes adultos internados em um hospital universitário. Método: estudo transversal, realizado com 123 pacientes adultosinternados, entre os meses de fevereiro a abril de 2011. Foram coletados dados referentes à caracterização sociodemográfica e aplicada a Escala de Avaliação do Risco naMovimentação e Transporte de Pacientes. Para organizar os dados foi utilizado o programa Excel® e a análise dos dados foi realizada no PASW Statistic, por meio da análisedescritiva. Resultados: obteve-se que 55,3% dos pacientes apresentaram médio e muito risco ergonômico. Das unidades avaliadas, a Terapia Intensiva e Cardiologia Intensiva foramas que apresentaram maiores riscos ergonômicos, com 83,3% dos pacientes classificados com muito risco. Conclusão: medidas para reduzir riscos ergonômicos devem contemplarprogramas de treinamento e capacitação, além de fornecimento de materiais e equipamentos para auxílio na movimentação dos pacientes.

Aim: to map the ergonomic risks for nursing workers when handling and moving adult patients in a university hospital. Method: cross-sectional study involving 123 hospitalized adult patients, between the months of February to April 2011. Data regardingsociodemographic characteristics were collected and the Scale of Risk Assessment in Patient Handling was applied. Excel® software was used for data organization and data analysis wasdeveloped on PASW Statistics, through descriptive statistics. Results: it was found that 55.3% of patients had moderate and high ergonomic risk. From the units evaluated, theIntensive Care Unit and the Intensive Cardiology Unit showed the greatest ergonomic risks, with 83.3% of patients classified as high risk. Conclusion: measures to reduce ergonomic risks should include training and capacity-building programs, as well as supply of materialsand equipment to aid in patients handling.

Objetivo: mapear los riesgos ergonómicos de los trabajadores de enfermería durante los procedimientos para el transporte y la remoción de pacientes adultos ingresadosen un hospital universitario. Método: estudio transversal, realizado con 123pacientes adultos ingresados, entre febrero y abril 2011. Fueron recogidas datos sobre características sociodemográficas y aplicada la Escala de Evaluación de Riesgos en elMovimiento y Transporte de Pacientes. Para organizar los datos fue utilizado el programa Excel®, y el análisis se realizó con el programa PASW Statistics, mediante uso deestadística descriptiva. Resultados: se encontró que 55,3% de pacientes tenían medio y mucho riesgo ergonómico. De las unidades evaluadas, Cuidados Intensivos y CardiologíaIntensiva mostraron mayores riesgos ergonómicos, con 83,3% de pacientes clasificados como de riesgo muy alto. Conclusión: las medidas para reducir riesgos ergonómicos debenincluir programas de capacitación y suministro de materiales y equipos para ayudar en el movimiento de pacientes.