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Chen PH1, Chen KL1, CHANG S2
1Changhua Christian Hospital, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Changhua, Taiwan, 2Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
Background: Nursing staff working in intensive care unit (ICU) are prone to musculoskeletal disorders due to excessive weight and repeated movements. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) can affect the efficiency and performance in daily practice. Therefore, this study attempted to evaluate the prevalence and the risk factors of WMSDs in our hospital intensive care units through questionnaires.
Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence and the risk factors of WMSDs among ICU nurses
Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Self-administrative anonymous questionnaire was sent to the ICU nurses in our hospital who are interested in joining the study. The questionnaire included basic information, work patterns, pain conditions and disability status with Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data were analyzed using SPSS.
Results: Totally, 139 ICU nurses were included in the study and complete the questionnaire. The average age of the cases was 30.2±6.0 years old, the average BMI was 22.5±3.9, the service years in the intensive care unit was 6.5±5.2 years, the total service years in our hospital was 8.1±6.3 years, and the average working days per week was 5.1±0.5 days. The average working hours before the computer was 4.8±2.8 hours, the average score of NDI was 7.6±4.8 points, and the average score of ODI was 3.4±5.1 points. The age distribution of intensive care workers shows that the younger the age, the lighter the back disability. And the severity of neck disability is related to the increase in seniority.
Conclusion(s): In this study we found that the neck and back disability is common, and the severity is also high in ICU nurses. It is suggested that the relevant rehabilitation, especially physiotherapy intervention can be considered. The medical intensive care unit should pay more attention to the neck and back disability status and improve the working environment, reduce the use of computer. We need further study to evaluate whether WMSDs among ICU nurses can be improved after physiotherapy intervention.
Implications: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders is common among ICU nurses. Better ergonomics for the workplace and physiotherapy intervention should be considered.
Keywords: WMSDs, ICU, Physiotherapy
Funding acknowledgements: None
Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence and the risk factors of WMSDs among ICU nurses
Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Self-administrative anonymous questionnaire was sent to the ICU nurses in our hospital who are interested in joining the study. The questionnaire included basic information, work patterns, pain conditions and disability status with Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data were analyzed using SPSS.
Results: Totally, 139 ICU nurses were included in the study and complete the questionnaire. The average age of the cases was 30.2±6.0 years old, the average BMI was 22.5±3.9, the service years in the intensive care unit was 6.5±5.2 years, the total service years in our hospital was 8.1±6.3 years, and the average working days per week was 5.1±0.5 days. The average working hours before the computer was 4.8±2.8 hours, the average score of NDI was 7.6±4.8 points, and the average score of ODI was 3.4±5.1 points. The age distribution of intensive care workers shows that the younger the age, the lighter the back disability. And the severity of neck disability is related to the increase in seniority.
Conclusion(s): In this study we found that the neck and back disability is common, and the severity is also high in ICU nurses. It is suggested that the relevant rehabilitation, especially physiotherapy intervention can be considered. The medical intensive care unit should pay more attention to the neck and back disability status and improve the working environment, reduce the use of computer. We need further study to evaluate whether WMSDs among ICU nurses can be improved after physiotherapy intervention.
Implications: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders is common among ICU nurses. Better ergonomics for the workplace and physiotherapy intervention should be considered.
Keywords: WMSDs, ICU, Physiotherapy
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Occupational health & ergonomics; Pain & pain management; Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Changhua Christian Hospital
Ethics committee: IRB
Ethics number: 150307
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
