Nurses’ working tasks and MSDs back symptoms: results from a national survey

Abstract

Healthcare workers, namely registered nurses (RN), are frequently exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) risk factors. Identifying the symptoms of these disorders is one of the first epidemiological steps to managing them. This study aims to identify WRMSDs prevalence symptoms in Portuguese RN. During 8 months (2010-2011) the National Public Health School and the Portuguese Registered Nurses Board made a call to all RN to answer an online WRMSDs questionnaire. Respondents (n=2140) are mostly females (77.4%) and work mainly in hospitals (n=1396) and in primary healthcare centers (n=421). Results show high symptoms prevalence (last 12 months) in the lower back (60.6%), the upper back (44.5%), and the neck (48.6%). Nurses' activity, especially patient hygiene in bed, is a strong contributor (p<0.05) to pain in the upper back (OR=1.39 [1.09-1.80]) and lower back (OR=1.4 [1.08-1.84]). Patient holdup without mechanical support has the highest relationship (p<0.05) between work tasks and symptoms in the last 12 months in the upper back (OR=1.50 [1.19-1.90]). Prevalence rates of WRMSDs symptoms in Portuguese nurses are no different from other studies with Swedish, Italian and Greek nurses. Maybe changes in healthcare systems didn't change the way care is delivered and we must rethink how to prevent nurses WRMSDs.

A Taxonomy of the Common Tasks and the Development of a Risk Index for Physical Load Assessment in Nursing Job

“…Only a few studies have mentioned that nursing work is deeply related to MSDs. Serranheira et al [ 26 ] mentioned problems with patients transferring and heavy lifting tasks, and Brophy et al [ 27 ] classified tasks with high physical loads into laundry bags, food trays, push-or-pull objects such as wheelchairs, stretchers, food service trays, laundry carts. Fiedler et al [ 24 ] investigated nursing tasks by classifying them into charting and documentation tasks, housekeeping tasks, medicine preparation tasks, nurses care tasks, patient care tasks, patient moving and transfer tasks.…”

Occupational factors and low back pain: a cross-sectional study of Bangladeshi female nurses

“…Many of the previous studies conducted to identify the roles of individual and occupational factors on LBP among nurses [13–16]. Serranheira et al [17] described the prevalence increases and peaks between the ages of 35 and 55 years. Besides, lack of physical exercise is an important associated risk factor of LBP among the nurses.…”

A Survey of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Otolaryngologists

“…Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have been extensively studied in populations where the risk is estimated to be high for example, in industrial workers, laborers, as well as those engaged in repetitive work or sedentary desk jobs, like software professionals. In the health care scenario sonologists [1,2], dentists [3], surgeons performing minimal access surgery [4][5][6][7] and nurses [8,9] have been studied.…”