Evaluation of the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal pain among anesthesiology, intensive care, and surgical nurses: An observational and descriptive study

Assessment of Ergonomic Risks in Surgical Unit Nurses and Factors Influencing These Risks: A Cross-sectional Study

PURPOSE

The study aimed to assess the ergonomic risks perceived by nurses working in surgical units in terms of biomechanical, environmental, organizational and psychosocial factors, and to identify the factors influencing these risks.

DESIGN

This study employed descriptive and cross-sectional design.

METHODS

The study was conducted with 165 nurses working in surgical units of 1 private and 1 university hospital. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form and the Questionnaire Survey of Ergonomic Risks. The scales were administered between March 15, 2023, and April 15, 2023. The researchers gathered data through face-to-face interactions by visiting the nurses in their work environments. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the predictors of ergonomic risks.

FINDINGS

Hospital type was found to be a positive predictor of biomechanical factors (B = 14.308, P < .001), and organizational and psychosocial factors (B = 7.255, P = .048). Working in the operating room unit (B = -8.891, P = .020) was identified as a negative predictor, whereas night shifts (B = 14.963, P = .04) and shift work (B = 9.211, P = .018) were identified as positive predictors of organizational and psychosocial factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study indicated that surgical nurses face high biomechanical, environmental, and organizational and psychosocial risk factors. Working in a university hospital is a risk factor with regard to biomechanical, and organizational and psychosocial factors. Night shifts and shift work are risk factors for organizational and psychosocial factors. Working in the operating room demonstrates a lower risk in terms of organizational and psychosocial factors.

The Impact of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pains on Routine Tasks Among Operating Room Nurses: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

To determine work-related musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among 105 operating room nurses (ORNs) and its effect on their routine work.

DESIGN

Multicenter cross-sectional design.

METHODS

This study was conducted with 105 nurses working in operating rooms of five different hospitals between December 15, 2021, and February 15, 2022. Data were collected using the "Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire." SPSS 22.0 was used for data analysis, and a significance level of p < .05 was established.

RESULTS

Among the nurses, 75.2% were female, 78.1% had undergraduate education, and 59% worked >40 hours/week. In the previous 12 months, 69.5% of ORNs experienced lower back pain; 68.6%, neck pain; and 61.9%, back pain. The duration spent working as a scrub nurse increased the possibility of experiencing pain in the hands, wrists, back, shoulders, and lower back region (p < .05), and women had an increased risk of lower back and back pain (p < .05). Neck, lower back, back, wrist, and hand pain increased the risk of being unable to perform daily tasks (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Extended work hours as a scrub nurse increase the risk of MSP, including lower back region, neck, and back pain among ORNs. Women have a higher risk of lower back and back pain. Addressing musculoskeletal issues in this profession is crucial.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Addressing musculoskeletal discomfort is vital because of its impact on nurses' job performance and potential patient harm. Providing ergonomic equipment, training nurses on musculoskeletal health, and raising awareness can help. It is also important to encourage regular breaks.

Health behaviours and work-related musculoskeletal pain among Polish physiotherapists and nurses

BACKGROUND

Physiotherapists and nurses play crucial roles in healthcare, often requiring them to adopt physically demanding positions. However, these positions can lead to joint stress and an increased risk of injury, as well as work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). These disorders can significantly impact the performance of their duties, which can negatively affect patient recovery.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed and compared health behaviour and work-related musculoskeletal pain among Polish physiotherapists and nurses.

METHODS

The study encompassed a group of 304 participants. The methodology consisted of a survey addressing pain-related questions and the Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI). The HBI evaluates health behaviour in four categories.

RESULTS

The average HBI score was 5.05 (±1.96) points for physiotherapists and 4.50 (±1.86) points for nurses (P = .01). When analysing the HBI components, a statistically significant difference was observed in positive mental attitude and health practices (P <  .05). Regarding work-related musculoskeletal pain, 92% of nurses and 79% of physiotherapists reported experiencing pain while working (P <  .01). Pain intensity, measured with the VAS, was 3.77 (±2.37) for physiotherapists and 4.73 (SD 2.04) for nurses (P <  .01). Physiotherapists more often suffered from upper limb pain (57% vs 49%), while nurses experienced middle/lower back pain (82% vs 63%) and lower extremity pain (38% vs 23%) more frequently.

CONCLUSIONS

Both professional groups experience WRMSDs, with nurses suffering more regularly and severely. In contrast, physiotherapists exhibit superior health behaviour practices, potentially mitigating musculoskeletal pain. Nonetheless, the prevalence of pain related to WRMSDs remains alarmingly high in both professions.

Workload, general perceived stress, body function, musculoskeletal pain, and their mutual relationships in nurses - a pilot study

OBJECTIVES

Both physical and psychosocial risk factors contributing to musculoskeletal disorders occur in the professional nursing group, and previous literature suggested that their interaction may increase the risk of musculoskeletal pain among nurses. The aim of the study was to examine perceived workload and stress as well as physical findings and musculoskeletal complaints in nurses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The participants consisted of 42 female nurses, age range 23-60 years. They marked on a pain drawing the site/sites that was/were painful at the moment of testing, its duration and intensity. Thereafter they were examined using the movement and respiration domains from the Global Physiotherapy Examination (GPE). Furthermore, a subjective workload measure was made using the paper version of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index and stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Almost the entire study group declared that pain experienced in at least 1 location was chronic, i.e., had lasted ≥1 year (97%). The most frequent locations of pain were low back (22.4%) and cervical/head (21.6%) regions. In the GPE, most scores indicated restricted and reduced movement, with the subdomain flexibility having the highest deviation from the predefined standard. Furthermore, the results indicated hampered respiration, especially visible in standing position. Out of all workload scores, the highest was obtained for temporal demand. Perceived stress level was found to be moderate and significantly associated to chronic chest/ thoracic pain. Interestingly, the compression of thorax test positively correlated with mental (r = 0.42, p < 0.05) and physical demand (r = 0.35, p < 0.05), whereas the elbow drop test and temporal demand correlated negatively (r = -0.37, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

To sum up, the majority of nurses participating in this study had long-lasting pain and limited flexibility of the body and hampered respiration, which both may enhance intensity of experienced musculoskeletal pain. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(3):257-70.

Work-related musculoskeletal complaints and ergonomic risk factors among Egyptian anesthesiologists: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Anesthesiologists are vulnerable to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) due to sustained repetitive movements and awkward postures. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of WMSDs among anesthesiologists and to evaluate its association with ergonomic risk factors.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 380 Egyptian anesthesiologists were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study through an electronic questionnaire. Data were collected from May to August 2022 and involved questions about participants' demographic, health, and work-related characteristics; the ergonomic risks and perceived hazards; and the musculoskeletal complaints during the past 12 months and 7 days - using Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistical analyses were used to estimate the prevalence of MSD and identify its determinants in the studied sample.

RESULTS

A total of 215 anesthesiologists were included in this study, with a 56.8% response rate, 66% males with an average age of 38 (± 0.7) years. 21% were resident physicians, 47% were specialists, and 32% were consultants. The 12-month prevalence of MSD among anesthesiologists was 71.6% (95% CI: 65.6- 77.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that the main determinants of MSD among the studied sample were age of 45-years and older (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.21-8.52, p = 0.018), regular physical exercise (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.10-0.65, p = 0.005), insufficient rest time between procedures (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.15-4.41, p = 0.018), and three or more awkward postures of the trunk (OR: 3.55, 95% CI: 1.43-8.82, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights a high prevalence of WMSDs among Egyptian anesthesiologists, linked to advancing age, lack of regular exercise, insufficient rest between procedures, and frequent awkward postures. Addressing these ergonomic risk factors through targeted workplace interventions is crucial for promoting the overall well-being of anesthesiologists and ensuring the provision of safe anesthesia services.

Use of the Smart Excretion Care System Linked to Electronic Medical Records to Alleviate Nursing Burden and Enhance Patient Convenience: Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

The surge in older demographics has inevitably resulted in a heightened demand for health care, and a shortage of nursing staff is impending. Consequently, there is a growing demand for the development of nursing robots to assist patients with urinary and bowel elimination. However, no study has examined nurses' opinions of smart devices that provide integrated nursing for patients' urinary and bowel elimination needs.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the Smart Excretion Care System tethered to electronic medical records in a tertiary hospital and community care setting and discuss the anticipated reductions in the burden of nursing care.

METHODS

Focus group interviews were conducted using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. The interviews were conducted in March 2021 and involved 67 nurses who had worked at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital for more than 1 year and had experience in assisting patients with excretion care. Data were collected using purposive and snowball sampling methods.

RESULTS

A total of four themes relevant to the Smart Excretion Care System were found: (1) expected reductions in the burden of nursing care, (2) applicable indications (by departments and diseases), (3) preferred features/functions, and (4) expected benefits of using the Smart Excretion Care System in clinical facilities. Nurses from comprehensive nursing care wards had the highest burden when it came to excretion care. It was a common opinion that the Smart Excretion Care System would be very useful in intensive care units and should be applied first to patients with stroke or dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

Excretion care is one of the most burdensome tasks for nurses, increasing their workload. The development of the Smart Excretion Care System as a digital health intervention could help improve nurses' work efficiency, reduce their burden, and extend to caregivers and guardians.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Ankle-Foot Pain Among Nurses Working in Surgical Units of Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals in Amhara Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022

Background

Ankle-foot pain is a serious public health concern among nurses and has a significant impact on the quality of the health care service delivery system. However, little is known about the prevalence and factors associated with ankle-foot pain among nurses working in surgical units in Ethiopia.

Purpose

The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of ankle-foot pain among nurses working in surgical units of comprehensive specialized hospitals in Amhara regional state, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.

Participants and Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 409 nurses working in surgical units of comprehensive specialized hospitals, from May 15 to June 7, 2022. A simple random sampling technique was employed. Data were collected by five BSc nurses using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. The descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed. Finally, variables were declared as statistically significant at P < 0.05 using the odds ratio and 95% CI.

Results

The prevalence of ankle-foot pain among nurses working in surgical units was 51.8% (95% CI = 46.9-57.5). More than 10 years of working experience [AOR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.35-8.92], working 48 or more hours per week [AOR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.27-6.00], prolonged standing [AOR = 5.72, 95% CI = 3.20-10.25], high physical job demand [AOR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.53-3.80], and low job control [AOR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.47-3.71] had statistically significant association with ankle-foot pain.

Conclusion

This study found that ankle-foot pain was common among nurses working in surgical units. Having more years of work experience, working more hours per week, prolonged standing, high physical job demand, and low job control were statistically associated with ankle-foot pain.

Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Its Effects amongst Nurses in the Selected Intellectual Disability Unit of the Limpopo Province

The COVID-19 pandemic continuously highlights the need for occupational health and safety among healthcare professionals. Physical and mental health safety resulting from needle prick injuries, stress, infections, and chemical hazards are priority work-related musculoskeletal disorders for nurses, including those working in the intellectual disability unit. The intellectual disability unit provides basic nursing care to patients with known mental disabilities, such as learning, problem-solving, and judgment problems, which demand diverse physical activities. Nevertheless, the safety of nurses within the unit receives little attention. Thus, we adopted a quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological survey design to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders amongst nurses working in the intellectual disability unit at the selected hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A self-administered questionnaire collected data from 69 randomly selected nurses from the intellectual disability unit. Data were extracted, coded, and captured in MS Excel format (2016) and imported into the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), software version 25.0, for analysis. The study reported a low (38%) prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the intellectual disability unit, with significant effects on nursing care and staffing. The effects of these WMSDs included missing work, interference with the daily routine, disturbance with sleeping patterns after work, and absenteeism from work. Since intellectually disabled patients depend entirely on nurses for the basic activities of daily living, this paper recommends the incorporation of physiotherapy among nurses in the intellectual disability unit to treat the incidence of lower back pain while mitigating nurses missing work or absenteeism.

Foot and Ankle Disorders in Nurses Exposed to Prolonged Standing Environments: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Prolonged standing environments constitute an occupational risk factor for nurses, particularly for developing foot and ankle disorders. The definitions and potential relationship to hours spent walking or standing are poorly understood. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the main disorders found on nurses' ankles and feet, their prevalence, the influence of hours spent walking or standing, and gender differences.

METHODS

This review followed a previously published protocol. Primary and secondary studies were retrieved from relevant databases from December 2020 to March 2021. Potential articles were collated to Mendeley, and two independent reviewers assessed the title and abstracts. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were included. Two researchers retrieved and reviewed the full text of these studies independently. A predetermined extraction tool was used to retrieve relevant data, summarized in a tabular and narrative format.

FINDINGS

The most common disorder was pain, followed by numbness, burning feet, bunions, structural deformities, and calluses. Prevalence differed among studies, depending on settings and specific local policies. Discussion: Various foot and ankle disorders and related variables have been found, with clear gaps that may be addressed in the future.

CONCLUSION/APPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE:

Few studies have focused on nurses' foot and ankle disorders. Mapping signs and symptoms may contribute to the future development of preventive interventions for nurses' workplaces.

Risk factors for neck pain-induced disability among primary healthcare workers: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Neck pain (NP) is associated with high disability rates among healthcare workers.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the potential risk factors associated with disability due to NP among healthcare staff working in primary care settings.

METHODS

This 30-day prospective cross-sectional study involved a survey of 63 healthcare personnel (55 women and 8 men aged 45.30±12.34 years) of two primary healthcare centers in Serbia, who completed a general questionnaire developed for this purpose along with the Neck Disability Index (NDI), whereby the potential predictors of NP-related disability were assessed using the statistical package SPSS ver. 24.

RESULTS

Female healthcare workers achieved a higher score on the NDI scale (Me = 8.00, p < 0.05), as did older respondents (r = 0.260, p < 0.05), those with longer work experience (r = 0.323, p < 0.05), and those that wear prescription glasses (Me = 9.00, p < 0.01). Higher NDI scores were also achieved by respondents that suffered from neck pain at the time of the study (Me = 12.50, p < 0.001), especially if they relied on pain medication (Me = 13.00, p < 0.05), and topical analgesic creams (Me = 12.50, p < 0.05) for treating neck pain.

CONCLUSION

Female sex, older age, greater work experience, current neck pain, use of pain-relieving medications and creams, and need for prescription glasses to correct vision increase the risk of disability due to pain in the cervical spine among healthcare workers.

Does Postural Feedback Reduce Musculoskeletal Risk?: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among personnel working in the healthcare sector, mainly among nursing assistants and orderlies. Objective: The objective is to analyze the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention that included postural feedback in reducing musculoskeletal risk. Method: A total of 24 nursing assistants and orderlies in a hospital setting were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. After collecting sociodemographic information, a selection of tasks was made and assessed using the REBA (rapid entire body assessment) method. A multi-component intervention was designed combining theoretical and practical training, including feedback on the postures performed by the professionals involved, especially those involving high musculoskeletal risk. This program was applied only to participants in the intervention group. Subsequently, eight months after the first assessment and intervention, the second assessment was carried out using the same method and process as in the first evaluation. Results: The results indicate that the musculoskeletal risk in the second assessment in the intervention group was significantly reduced. However, no significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion: The multi-component intervention applied can significantly reduce the musculoskeletal risk of nursing assistants and orderlies. In addition, it is a low-cost intervention with great applicability.

Musculoskeletal System Disorders among Surgical Nurses Related to Health Industry in Northwestern Turkey: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction. Nurses may encounter musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and pain episodes stemming from regular exposure to health industry risk factors.Aim. To determine prevalence of MSDs and its associated factors among Turkish surgical nurses.Methods. A cross-sectional design which used a self-administered questionnaire surveys was employed with 169 surgical nurses. The survey included an individual data questionnaire, and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire- Extended (NMQ-E).Results. 88.8 %of the surgical nurses had musculoskeletal system disorders, and most experienced these problems were related health industry. The interventions causing physical strain in the participants were identified as constant standing up, patient care, carrying heavy loads, sudden movements, patient transfer, and pulling-pushing practices. It was found that the nurses used coping methods including walking, exercising, receiving physiotherapist support, pilates and yoga. The most frequently encountered problems were in the back region. A significant relationship was found between musculoskeletal system problems and the clinic of work, years of work, age, and gender (p < 0.05).Conclusions. Nurses experience musculoskeletal problems related to health industry. It is crucial to determine the real causes of musculoskeletal problems and take appropriate preventive measures to improve workplace ergonomics.

Relationship between Musculoskeletal Disorders and Work Performance of Nursing Staff: A Comparison of Hospital Nursing Departments

This study aimed to explore the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and the work performance of nursing staff. This cross-sectional study used the Checklist for Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and the Work Ability Index to survey the prevalence of MSDs, as well as to determine the impact of MSDs on 117 nursing staff working in an emergency department, an intensive care unit, and general wards. The findings indicate that the nursing staff were exposed to a workplace environment with a high risk of MSDs. Nursing staff in the emergency department were at a particularly high risk of MSDs in their upper and lower limbs, while those working in the intensive care unit had a particularly high risk of injuries caused by manual material handling. Analyzing the relationship between MSD risk factors and NMQ scores showed a 6 times, 3.25 times, and 2.28 times increase in MSD conditions with a high workload compared to a low workload in the hand and wrist, the lower back or waist, and the knee, respectively. Medium and high workloads were found to increase the risk of MSD, which in turn affected the work ability of the nurses.

Prevalence of low back pain among intensive care nurses: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is a ubiquitous health problem affecting most of healthcare staff. However, there have been not effort to derive robust prevalence estimates of LBP among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of LBP among ICU nurses.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Five databases were searched: Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, and CINHAL databases. Original research that reported the prevalence of LBP among ICU nurses using a 12-month recall period were included. In order to assess methodological quality, we used a quality rating system which is specifically developed for LBP studies. Cochran's Q and the I² test were applied to assess heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was applied to identify factors that may contribute to heterogeneity. Presence of potential publication bias was assessed by using Egger's test and visual inspection of the symmetry in funnel plots.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies reporting data from 2004 to 2020 on the prevalence of LBP in a defined ICU nurses were included (participants:6258; range: 3-1345). Twenty-one (77.8%) studies were of "high" quality. Among the included studies, the lowest and the highest prevalence were found to be 34.5% and 100.0%, respectively. Meta-analysis of included studies yielded a pooled prevalence of 12-month LBP at 76.0% (95% CI, 69.0%-81.8%). (I²  = 96.0%, Chi-squared = 722, P-value < .01).

CONCLUSION

LBP is prevalent among ICU nurses. Greater attention is urgently needed to address this burdensome health problem among ICU nurses, particularly with an emphasis to develop preventive strategies.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The results of our meta-analysis have important consequences for ICU nurse managers. Our finding of high prevalence rate of LBP among ICU nurses suggests that more attention should be devoted to develop and apply prevention programs for ICU nurses to manage this global issue.

Evaluation of the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal pain among anesthesiology, intensive care, and surgical nurses: An observational and descriptive study

Clinical nurses can encounter musculoskeletal pain episodes stemming from regular exposure to workplace risk factors that contribute to overloads. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and location of work-related musculoskeletal pain among Polish nurses. An observational and descriptive survey study was conducted among 136 nurses working in the anesthesiology, intensive care, and surgery units. An extended version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to investigate musculoskeletal pain. Only 8% of the participating nurses experienced no musculoskeletal pain, while 85% suffered from pain in more than one location. The lower back (67%), upper back (59%), and neck (66%) were the most common pain locations. In summary, nurses experienced multiple musculoskeletal pain episodes, occurring most frequently in the spinal region (lower and upper back and neck). It is crucial to determine the real causes of musculoskeletal pain and to take appropriate preventive measures to improve workplace ergonomics.