Nursing care involves complex patient handling tasks. Strategies to address associated manual handling issues commonly include training programmes, despite conflicting evidence regarding training efficacy for manual handling injury reduction. Resultant knowledge acquisition and skills transfer from training programmes are prerequisites for subsequent practice changes in the clinical setting. This paper draws upon the findings from a questionnaire completed by 100 nurses in an Australian private hospital in 2008. A substantial knowledge deficit was identified, despite previous training undertaken by participants. A striking finding was that although 82% (n = 82) of nurses surveyed believed they used safe manual handling practices, only 18% (n = 15) of these nurses correctly answered items assessing manual handling knowledge. The study suggests prudence in the assumption of skills and knowledge acquisition during manual handling training. It informs the development of future implementation strategies, and provides a contributory explanation for the limited application of recommended practices after training completion.
The manual handling of people and objects is integral to the provision of nursing care to patients globally. Despite over 30 years of research intended to guide improvements for nurses’ safety, substantial rates of manual handling injuries persist internationally within the nursing profession. This paper reviews the contemporary international literature regarding manual handling interventions noting the unique context for injury prevention strategies within healthcare. The review includes the recognition of underlying assumptions inherent in the conceptualisation of manual handling and its management, and the preponderance of the post-positivist paradigm in this field. The complexity of manual handling in healthcare has resulted in a theoretical shift from single factor interventions based on technique training towards an emerging multidimensional approach. However the key elements for sustainable solutions to reduce nurses’ manual handling injuries have not yet been identified and consensus is lacking regarding the implementation and appropriate evaluation of injury prevention programmes. Furthermore, whilst the literature is replete with data derived from surveys or insurance industry records of compensation claims, there is a dearth of literature exploring nurses’ manual handling experiences. The in-depth investigation of nurses’ perspectives on manual handling may uncover new knowledge critical to improvement of the manual handling issues.
We aimed to investigate Catholic Identity and Mission communication specifically how nurses were expressing the Catholic healthcare values in practice. A mixed-methods, case study design was used and included non-participant observation, a mid-level manager focus group (n = 7) and online surveys (n = 144). Document and observational data analysis revealed the organisation's commitment to visible indication of Catholic values adherence. Focus group analysis revealed two themes, 'Catholic values in action' and 'taking the extra step'. The impact of Catholic Identity and Mission on nurses and nursing care recipients remains elusive and warrants further understanding.
Background: Healthcare involves complex manual handling tasks that are unique to the industry. Despite research intended to improve carer safety, substantial rates of manual handling injuries persist within the nursing profession. This paper reviews manual handling issues arising from patient care activities and the strategies deployed in healthcare facilities to reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Discussion: Conventional programs aimed at reducing nurses’ work-related manual handling injuries include assumptions regarding evidence, transferability to the clinical setting and efficacy. Additionally, intervention success is commonly measured by administrative data comprising incident reports and injury rates. However official statistics are contrasted with self-reported injury rates in several studies. The complex nature of the injury mechanism and the obscured visibility of musculoskeletal disorders hinder detection of manual handling injuries and attribution of causality. In turn, this hampers the development of successful injury prevention strategies. Training programs reliant on specific techniques and assistive devices have had limited success. This paper questions the appropriateness of training and compliance strategies to manage manual handling risks in nursing practice and expounds a re-examination of the premises upon which manual handling programs are based.
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