[nursebedlam]

Healthcare Changes Hard on the Backs of Nurses

Mon Aug 2, 2004 01:23 PM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Organizational changes in healthcare have led to an increase in musculoskeletal disorders among registered nurses, independent of the effects of physical job demands associated with nursing.
That's according to results of a survey of 1163 registered nurses who had been on the job for at least 12 months and who had not been injured or in an accident off the job for up to 3 months before the onset of symptoms.

The survey included questions about neck, shoulder, and back problems; physical and psychological demands; and healthcare changes.

Nurses were asked to report whether 12 healthcare system changes that addressed staff levels, patient severity of illness, and the delivery of nursing care had increased, decreased, or stayed the same over the previous year.

In the American Journal of Public Health, Dr. Jane Lipscomb and colleagues from the University of Maryland in Baltimore report that 20 percent, 17 percent, and 29 percent of nurses reported neck, shoulder, and back pain, respectively.

When analyzed individually, 3 of 12 "negative" healthcare system changes were significantly associated with musculoskeletal disorders at all three body sites. They were: having full-time RNs replaced by part-time/temporary RNs; having a facility or unit shut down; and having unlicensed personnel provide direct patient care.

"The odds ratios for neck, shoulder, and back musculoskeletal disorders showed a consistent and increasing trend with the level of reported healthcare system change," the authors report.

Compared with none or one change, the risk of neck problems when more than six changes were present was almost five times greater. The corresponding risk of shoulder and back problems was increased by three-fold.

"The adverse impact on health caused by the changing healthcare system must be addressed to prevent further injuries among nurses," the authors conclude.

American Journal of Public Health, August 2004

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=5848378

[pickledpepperRN]

To prevent suffering of both patients and nurses I think we need lift teams.
Does anyone have experience with them?

[kona2]

We have a lift team & I LOVE them!!!

[Repat]

Tell us how they work, please. I have had two patients in the last couple of weeks over 400 pounds, and trying to get together enough help to lift and turn is impossible, never mind help long enough for dressing changes, etc. My back is definitely suffering.

[NRSKarenRN]

To view the research:

Jane Lipscomb, Alison Trinkoff, Barbara Brady, and Jeanne Geiger-Brown
Health Care System Changes and Reported Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Registered Nurses
Am J Public Health 2004 94: 1431-1435. [Abstract]