Gesundheitsindikatoren und Präventionsverhalten bei älteren Beschäftigten in der Altenpflege

Kromark, K.; Dulon, Madeleine; Nienhaus, Albert

doi:10.1055/s-2008-1062730

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, health care work involves considerable strains that can present a challenge, especially for employees over 50 years of age. The literature shows that the work ability of nurses and geriatric nurses declines with increasing age [ 5 ] and that cervical spine and lumbar spine problems become more common [ 6 - 8 ]. Moreover, health care workers have an increased risk of developing Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) [ 9 - 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the German version of the Nurse-Work Instability Scale: baseline survey findings of a prospective study of a cohort of geriatric care workers

Harling

Schablon

Nienhaus

2013

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundA prospective study of a cohort of nursing staff from nursing homes was undertaken to validate the Nurse-Work Instability Scale (Nurse-WIS). Baseline investigation data was used to test reliability, construct validity and criterion validity.MethodA survey of nursing staff from nursing homes was conducted using a questionnaire containing the Nurse-WIS along with other survey instruments (including SF-12, WAI, SPE). The self-reported number of days’ sick leave taken and if a pension for reduced work capacity was drawn were recorded. The reliability of the scale was checked by item difficulty (P), item discrimination (rjt) and by internal consistency according to Cronbach’s coefficient. The hypotheses for checking construct validity were tested on the basis of correlations. Pearson’s chi-square was used to test concurrent criterion validity; discriminant validity was tested by means of binary logistic regression.Results396 persons answered the questionnaire (21.3% response rate). More than 80% were female and mostly work full-time in a rotating shift pattern. Following the test for item discrimination, two items were removed from the Nurse-WIS test. According to Cronbach’s (0.927) the scale provides a high degree of measuring accuracy. All hypotheses and assumptions used to test validity were confirmed: As the Nurse-WIS risk increases, health-related quality of life, work ability and job satisfaction decline. Depressive symptoms and a poor subjective prognosis of earning capacity are also more frequent. Musculoskeletal disorders and impairments of psychological well-being are more frequent. Age also influences the Nurse-WIS result. While 12.0% of those below the age of 35 had an increased risk, the figure for those aged over 55 was 50%.ConclusionThis study is the first validation study of the Nurse-WIS to date. The Nurse-WIS shows good reliability, good validity and a good level of measuring accuracy. It appears to be suitable for recording prevention and rehabilitation needs among health care workers. If, in the follow-up, the Nurse-WIS likewise proves to be a reliable screening instrument with good predictive validity, it could ensure that suitable action is taken at an early stage, thereby helping to counteract early retirement and the anticipated shortage of health care workers.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the German version of the Nurse-Work Instability Scale: baseline survey findings of a prospective study of a cohort of geriatric care workers

Harling

Schablon

Nienhaus

2013

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For this reason, it is desirable that health care workers should be professionally active for long periods of their working life. One effective way to help to achieve this goal would be to encourage preventive measures to avoid diseases related to intervertebral discs, as geriatric care is regarded as being particularly stressful for the back - especially for older health care workers [9-12]. Moreover, routine data from the Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare (BGW) have shown that 23.5% of the reported cases of occupational diseases of the lumbar spine related to the lifting or carrying of heavy loads were working in geriatric care, showing that this is the most affected sector within the health service [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Back disorders and lumbar load in nursing staff in geriatric care: a comparison of home-based care and nursing homes

Kromark

Dulon

Beck³

et al. 2009

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundBack pain is one of the most frequent complaints in the nursing profession. Thus, the 12-month prevalence of pain in the lumbar spine in nursing staff is as high as 76%. Only a few representative studies have assessed the prevalence rates of back pain and its risk factors among nursing staff in nursing homes in comparison to staff in home-based care facilities. The present study accordingly investigates the prevalence in the lumbar and cervical spine and determines the physical workload to lifting and caring in geriatric care.Methods1390 health care workers in nursing homes and home care participated in this cross sectional survey. The nursing staff members were examined by occupational physicians according to the principals of the multistep diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders. Occupational exposure to daily care activities with patient transfers was measured by a standardised questionnaire. The lumbar load was calculated with the Mainz-Dortmund dose model. Information on ergonomic conditions were recorded from the management of the nursing homes. Comparisons of all outcome variables were made between both care settings.ResultsComplete documentation, including the findings from the occupational physicians and the questionnaire, was available for 41%. Staff in nursing homes had more often positive orthopaedic findings than staff in home care. At the same time the values calculated for lumbar load were found to be significant higher in staff in nursing homes than in home-based care: 45% vs. 6% were above the reference value. Nursing homes were well equipped with technical lifting aids, though their provision with assistive advices is unsatisfactory. Situation in home care seems worse, especially as the staff often has to get by without assistance.ConclusionsFuture interventions should focus on counteracting work-related lumbar load among staff in nursing homes. Equipment and training in handling of assistive devices should be improved especially for staff working in home care.

show abstract

“…On a positive note, 90 % of those who were aware of the precautionary offers available also utilised them. According to Kromark et al [ 23 ] there is no difference between older and younger employees as regards their participation in preventive measures. Sixteen per cent of respondents did not know that regular precautionary checks and vaccinations were on offer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Looking after elderly, immobile residents places great physical strain on healthcare staff, who often work in awkward body postures [ 24 ]. Older geriatric HCWs are more likely to suffer from complaints of the cervical spine and lumbar spine than their younger colleagues [ 23 ]. Dulon et al [ 25 ] determined a prevalence of 48 % for lumbar-spine complaints and of around 17 % for complaints concerning the neck and shoulder area [ 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What do healthcare workers in elderly care know about occupational health and safety? An explorative survey

Schönrock

Schablon

Nienhaus

et al. 2015

J Occup Med Toxicol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundDemographic changes will lead to a growing demand for healthy, motivated healthcare workers (HCW) in the years ahead. Along with well-targeted prevention, knowledge of occupational health and safety and infection precaution is essential for a healthy working life. In this context back-friendly working methods and protection from infectious diseases are necessary in elderly care.MethodsIn 2012, a survey was conducted in nine residential and two semi-residential nursing homes, as well as in one home care service in the Schwerin area of northeast Germany. Four hundred and seventy three HCWs were asked to fill in a questionnaire on what they knew about aspects of occupational health and safety such as vaccinations and preventative measures administered by occupational physicians, hygiene, back-friendly working methods and infection prevention. The statistical evaluation was descriptive, with a comparison between job title. Differences were examined with chi square or Fisher's exact test.ResultsThe response rate was 28 % (n = 132). The largest group of respondents (36 %) were qualified geriatric HCWs. More than 74 % of employees felt well informed about opportunities for precautionary checks and vaccination by occupational physician, and 93 % utilized these opportunities. When it came to assigning modes of transmission to specific infectious diseases, only 23 % of participants were well informed, and one in three (31 %) care assistants was inadequately informed. Fewer than half of participants could correctly name the indications for hand disinfection. Only 66 % of the HCWs said they were aware of training offers for the management of multidrug-resistant organisms in their institution. They did know about possible aids to back-friendly working, although gaps in knowledge were apparent. Only 59 % of respondents knew that care utensils should preferably be stored at working height so as to reduce awkward body postures.ConclusionsEmployees in elderly care are well informed about the range of precautionary occupational medical examinations and take advantage of this offering. Questions in the survey regarding hygiene management were answered in a competent manner. On the other hand some gaps in the knowledge about infection prevention and occupational safety became apparent. Differences between qualified and unqualified participating professionals occurred only in the knowledge of infectious diseases and pathogens and the associated path of infection. The extent to which training can help to improve infection prevention and occupational health and safety should be investigated.

show abstract

Gesundheitsindikatoren und Präventionsverhalten bei älteren Beschäftigten in der Altenpflege

Cited by 11 publications

References 14 publications

Validation of the German version of the Nurse-Work Instability Scale: baseline survey findings of a prospective study of a cohort of geriatric care workers

Validation of the German version of the Nurse-Work Instability Scale: baseline survey findings of a prospective study of a cohort of geriatric care workers

Back disorders and lumbar load in nursing staff in geriatric care: a comparison of home-based care and nursing homes

What do healthcare workers in elderly care know about occupational health and safety? An explorative survey

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About