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Back Injury Prevention

October 08, 2008   |   Indigo Blog

While healthcare gets a lot of attention in politics these days, one area that no one is discussing is what is happening regarding the amount of injuries in the nursing workforce. NIOSH reports:
Direct and indirect costs associated with back injuries in the healthcare industry are estimated to be $20 billion annually. Additionally, nursing aides and orderlies suffer the highest prevalence (18.8%) and report the most annual cases (269,000) of work-related back pain among female workers in the United States. In 2000, 10,983 registered nurses (RNs) suffered lost-time work injuries due to lifting patients. Twelve percent of nurses report that they left the nursing profession because of back pain.

The agency has developed better identification of hazards and better methods for the handling of patients. Using equipment to help move patients appears to reduce worker injuries and lost time, and improved education and training will also be important.

There is some arguement that all employees would be better off if employers would take the time to observe the potential lifting hazards in their workplace and take aggressive action to minimize those hazards. More equipment, improved ergonomic set-up, and more training are all potential improvements in which every business can participate. The benefits in making these changes will dwarf the costs associated with making the workplace safer for the employee.

Posted by Wally Steidley on 10/08 at 09:06 AM

Category: Indigo Blog |