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Ergonomic hazards are widespread in the healthcare industry, with many workers experiencing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics demonstrates that rates of MSDs among Massachusetts hospital workers (1.3 cases per 100 FTEs) are almost twice the national rate (0.7 cases per 100 FTE). Healthcare facilities have developed safe patient handling (SPH) programs to reduce patient handling injuries among direct patient care staff. The efficacy of SPH programs at reducing patient handling injuries and MSDs has been demonstrated in previous studies. To obtain baseline information about current SPH policies and practices, the Survey of Hospital Based Safe Patient Handling Activities in Massachusetts was conducted.
METHODS:
The Survey of Hospital Based Safe Patient Handling Activities in Massachusetts was adapted from a Washington State Department of Labor and Industries survey. Members of a newly formed Massachusetts Ergonomics Task Force also provided input. The 31 question survey was mailed to occupational health professionals at all 98 hospitals licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, with repeat follow-up conducted by mail and phone. Descriptive analysis and stratification by hospital characteristics was conducted.
RESULTS:
Characteristics of respondent hospitals (88) (size, teaching status) reflect the distribution across all hospitals. Forty-three percent of hospitals reported having a SPH policy in place. This varied by hospital size with mostly small hospitals having policies. A majority of SPH policies (54.1%) were implemented within the last four years. More than half (65%) of the hospitals reported having a committee or group working to prevent patient handling injuries, with more large hospitals reporting having committees. There were hospitals with SPH policies but no committees (9.4% of all hospitals) and hospitals with committees but no SPH policies (30.5% of all hospitals). Additionally, 18.8% of hospitals reported having neither committees nor SPH policies. Nearly all hospitals (97.7%) had a system for tracking injuries among workers and, of these, 81.2% had a method for identifying the patient handling task associated with the injury. Anecdotally, occupational health professionals reported that the survey enhanced discussion of SPH activities at their facilities.
CONCLUSIONS:
The survey methodology, including direct follow-up with hospitals, was effective in obtaining a high response rate. While most hospitals are addressing the hazard of patient handling in some fashion, the survey identified areas in need of improvement. Findings will be useful to the Hospital Ergonomics Task Force that is developing recommendations to reduce patient handling injuries among Massachusetts hospital workers.