Factors affecting safety of personnel involved in patient handling in hospitals of Tabriz

Abstract

Abstract: Background and aims: Patient handling is a major risk factor for musculoskeletal (MS) injury among nurses. Safe work practices are important to reduce risk of injury while performing patient handling tasks.The aims of the study were to describe nurses’ work behaviors related to safe patient handling and identify factors influencing their safe work behaviors, including the use of lifting equipment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 500 personnel involved in patient handling in hospitals of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran in 2019. Data were collected using the demographic characteristic questionnaire, Nordic questioners, Copenhagen Psychosocial questionnaire, the MAPO checklist, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment(RULA) for user’s posture analysis and Safe patient handling behaviors questionnaire. Statistical Analysis of collected data was performed with SPSS24. Results: None of the participants had no lifting equipment on their unit, and reported that they performed all patient lift or transfer tasks manually.The mean (SD) of safe work behaviors were 4.72 (0.61), which was above average. Significant factors for safer work behavior included BMI, type of unit, marital status, type of work, age, musculoskeletal disorders, supervisor social support, health, posture and number of patients somewhat unable to move. Type of hospital was not associated with safe work behaviors. Conclusion: In particular, safe work behaviors were above average. Safe work behaviors are best understood by demographic and job factors, musculoskeletal disorders, psychosocial factors, posture and MAPO index. Management efforts to improve working conditions and also, making lift equipment readily available could prove to be crucial in promoting personnels’ safe work behavior and reducing risk of MS injury but type of hospital was not associated with safe work behaviors. Key words: musculoskeletal disorders; psychosocial factors; patient handling; safe work behavior