about what % of CNA's have back injuries?

prevent · Jan 28, 2010

It is good to see healthcare workers waking up and questionning why we are required to lift and transfer over 1.8 tons per shift. For healthcare to change - we have to keep questioning this practice. Quick add...I started Prevent, Inc. - which offers comprehensive Safe Handling programs. We are all nurses and have implemented more than 600 successful programs in the US. With healthcare workers like you who raise the question - I say 'you go!'

Arianna_Raven · Mar 5, 2018

All of the facilities I've ever worked for have been single staffed. We've had either a manual sit-to-stand, manual hoyer, and one facility was very "advanced" and had an electric sit-to-stand and an electric hoyer. The chiropractor is my best friend, and until recently I've done yoga (now it's too painful)....

I sustained my first back injury while doing peri care on a resident who dead weighted on me, returning to his back (I had literally just finished cleaning him up but still needed to apply A&D ointment and get his brief up).

He just decided to let go of the grab bar before we were totally finished (he's 25 and in LTC due to a TBI). The bed was up all the way so I was as 'unhunched' over as possible; when he let go (on purpose, by the way; he laughed his a** off and when asked why he did that all he did was say he thought it'd be funny) I lost my balance, crashed into his over the bed table, and landed on the floor directly on the frame of the table.

I sustained 2 other injuries due to that same resident, but the owners don't care about anything so long as the checks clear; thus resident is private pay so there's no hope with this one.

I no longer work for that facility. My current facility has 2 electric lifts and 6 full assist residents. While one if my ladies was in the lift while we were on the way to the bathroom when she decided to let go and wiggle her arms out of the sling. I kept her from hitting her head or any other injuries. That's back injury #4.

The beds in this facility don't move more than the standard head and foot adjustment. Just 2 hr repositioning is an epic ordeal.

I didn't report the 2nd injury; I've been at this new place for almost 3 months, and Washington is an "at will" state, so you can be let go for any reason at any time; I'm still in my 90 day probationary period.

I'm going to school to be an MA and I'm almost done. Just trying so hard to hold on till school is over.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Mar 5, 2018

There is no way to absolutely prevent chronic back pain or a crippling permanent back, neck or shoulder injury if you are working bedside as a CNA or RN. It can always happen either due to the size of the increasingly super obese patients or just the silent wear and tear over time from moving patients in and out of the bed!

I've worked alongside so many nurses and CNA's with chronic back pain and seen a few end up on permanent disability. If you already have back problems I would avoid this career choice. It is a lie to say that proper body mechanics will prevent injury.

I think the safe lifting weight is only like 40 pounds max. In all other industries workers have lift equipment to move heavy things. Lift equipment is not mandatory by the federal govt. in healthcare. Some states may mandate it not sure if Texas or CA are one of them, some encourage it and offer subsidies but that is all. Most places have some equipment, but very few places have a no-lift environment. The VA is one of the few that has a virtually no lift environment with ceiling lifts in every room!

Even with all the lifts a freak accident can happen such as you are trying to prevent someone from falling. Don't do it! You will wrench your back for sure as you fight gravity! Unfortunately, I've seen this play out too many times over the years. It is not worth it!

In the old days, older CNA's were able to transition to HUC (secretary) positions when they could no longer do bedside care. This is no longer the case as all HUC jobs are HUC/PCA you must do both. Generally both CNA's and RN's have to find a non lifting job on their own time and dime as the administration will rarely help those injured. Instead they will push them out if they do not recover in a timely fashion! Lifting is a job requirement, no exceptions, no modifications!

For those that stay bedside many live with chronic pain, pay out of the pocket for chiropractor treatments, massage and sometimes even epidurals and back surgery. As I've mentioned on other occasions there are other options beside nursing in the health care arena that are safer and some such as ultra sound tech pay as good or better than nursing. Consider all your options!

Dean Uguan · Mar 5, 2018

... The VA is one of the few that has a virtually no lift environment with ceiling lifts in every room!
...

Unfortunately, they aren't all operational.