Characterizing the nature of home care work and occupational hazards: A Developmental intervention study

Markkanen, Pia; Quinn, Margaret; Galligan, Catherine; Sama, Susan; Brouillette, Natalie; Okyere, Daniel

doi:10.1002/ajim.22287

Cited by 66 publications

(187 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Workers' compensation records indicate that back pain/injuries and other MSDs are the most reported and costly incidents in HHC 18. The biggest risk factor is patient/client mobilization and transfer tasks, which become more demanding when patients have limited or no mobility or when they are overweight as described in scenario 9.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The biggest risk factor is patient/client mobilization and transfer tasks, which become more demanding when patients have limited or no mobility or when they are overweight as described in scenario 9. Also, caregivers who perform homemaking duties (ie, cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping) reported musculoskeletal strain 18. Among the 1249 home care aides who completed the Safe Home Care survey, more than 10% experienced some type of work-related injury serious enough for the aide to seek medical care and/or lose work time in the 12 months before the survey 27.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This article presents 10 scenarios describing the main OSH findings from 2 different research studies at the University of Massachusetts Lowell: (1) Project SHARRP (Safe Home Care and Risk Reduction for Providers), an examination of BBP exposures among HHC nurses and other clinicians in Massachusetts (2004-2009)17,24,30,31; and (2) the Safe Home Care Project (2010-2014), which evaluated risk factors for sharps injuries in HHC, as well as a wide range of other OSH hazards and promising prevention practices among home care aides 16,18,26,27. Both projects comprised 3 research phases: presurvey qualitative phase, cross-sectional survey, and postsurvey qualitative phase to interpret survey findings and recommend interventions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Safety Risks Among Home Infusion Nurses and Other Home Health Care Providers

Markkanen

Galligan

Quinn

2017

Journal of Infusion Nursing

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In the United States, home health care (HHC) is a rapidly growing industry and home infusion therapy is a rapidly growing market. HHC can present substantial occupational safety and health (OSH) risks. This article summarizes major OSH risks relevant to home infusion therapy by illustrating them through real-life scenarios collected systematically using qualitative research methods by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-funded research projects at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The need for home infusion therapy will continue to grow in the future, and safety interventions to prevent or minimize OSH risks are essential.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Safety Risks Among Home Infusion Nurses and Other Home Health Care Providers

Markkanen

Galligan

Quinn

2017

Journal of Infusion Nursing

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“…Possible explanation is that nursing tasks, er- gonomically requiring more reaching and uncomfortable movement and posture, may put nurses at higher risk of musculoskeletal symptoms and injury. Previous research findings, however, indicated that the effect of physical factors was greatest in the development of work related musculoskeletal disorders (10,17).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Evidence suggests that there may be multiple causes for musculoskeletal disorders, exposure to a specific risk factor does not necessarily result in the development of a musculoskeletal symptom, and the full range of factors must be analyzed to understand and establish the cause the disorders (17,18). Far fewer studies have been performed to describe the possible mechanisms for linking the role of factors in the development of musculoskeletal disorders.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workplace Stresses and Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dehdashti

Mehralizadeh

Mahjoubi

2017

Middle East J Rehabil Health Stud

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Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a significant occupational problem among employees and workers. This study attempted to explore the effect of stressors in the hospital environment on nurses' development of musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a random sample of 123 hospital nurses from Semnan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected during working days over 3 months starting from January 2014. Participants completed a standardized questionnaire for stresses and musculoskeletal disorders at work. Musculoskeletal disorders were used as the dependent variables, while demographic, physical, and psychosocial work factors were used as independent variables. Results: Our study revealed prevalence of low back ache, neck ache, shoulder ache, arm-elbow ache, and hand-wrist pain rated 48.3%, 39.5%, 33.1%, 31.3%, and 23.4%, respectively. The findings showed significant statistical association between musculoskeletal complaints in neck and upper extremity with exposed stress levels (P = 0.04). Musculoskeletal symptoms rates increased in employees experienced poor work posture (P = 0.01), fatigue (P = 0.04), and work-family conflict (P = 0.04). Conclusions:This study provides indication of the relationship between work environment stress levels and musculoskeletal disorders. Physical and psychosocial stressors should be considered for the development of preventive measures.

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Mental Health and Well-Being Among Home Health Aides

Yanez Hernandez,

Kuo,

Henriquez Taveras

et al. 2024

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceHome health aides and attendants (HHAs) provide essential care to older adults and those with chronic conditions in the home. However, some HHAs struggle with poor mood and stress, which may have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectiveTo elicit HHAs’ perspectives toward mental health and well-being, including how their job influences both and how to better support the workforce in the future.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsFor this qualitative study, focus groups and interviews with HHAs were facilitated in English and Spanish from August 17, 2022, to February 9, 2023, in partnership with the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Fund, a benefit fund of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and the largest health care union in the US. Included were HHAs at risk for poor mental health and well-being, which were defined as having at least mild or more symptoms on either the 8-item Personal Health Questionnaire depression scale, the 4-item Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, or the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale.ExposureMental health and well-being of HHAs.Main Outcomes and MeasuresFocus groups and interviews were audio recorded, professionally transcribed, and translated. A thematic analysis was performed that was informed by Pender’s Health Promotion Model and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Total Worker Health model.ResultsA total of 28 HHAs from 14 different agencies participated (mean [SD] age, 54.3 [10.8] years; 26 female [93%]). Seventeen participants (61%) spoke Spanish at home. Five key themes emerged: (1) HHAs’ attitudes toward mental health and well-being were influenced by a variety of personal and cultural factors; (2) HHAs’ relationships with their patients impacted their mood in both positive and negative ways; (3) structural and organizational aspects of the job, alongside the COVID-19 pandemic, impacted HHAs’ mood and stress levels; (4) HHAs used a variety of strategies to cope with their emotions; and (5) HHAs were eager for interventions that can improve their mood, particularly those that bring them closer to their colleagues.Conclusions and RelevanceThese findings suggest that HHAs’ mental health and well-being may be influenced by both personal and occupational factors. Interventions and policies to better support their emotional well-being on the job are warranted.

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Characterizing the nature of home care work and occupational hazards: A Developmental intervention study

Abstract: Promoting OSH in HC is essential for maintaining a viable workforce.

Cited by 66 publications

References 21 publications

Safety Risks Among Home Infusion Nurses and Other Home Health Care Providers

Safety Risks Among Home Infusion Nurses and Other Home Health Care Providers

Workplace Stresses and Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mental Health and Well-Being Among Home Health Aides

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