Protecting carers from musculoskeletal injury
During the Covid-19 outbreak, many caregivers are working extended hours in busy, stressful and often unfamiliar care environments. This may lead to fatigue and increase their risk of musculoskeletal injury from resident/patient care interventions.
The manual handling of patients has been recognised as a key contributor to musculoskeletal injury and pain among nurses and therapists.1,2 This situation has intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic as more and more ICU patients require prone positioning. For many in-bed movements, the provision of repositioning aids may be an effective solution for reducing physical effort and improving patient comfort.3
The importance of repositioning for caregivers
Repositioning dependent patients within their bed is the single greatest risk factor for musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare professionals.4
A repositioning sling used in combination with a passive lift can help reduce the impact on carer workflow.5 These can be used to reposition within the bed.
Reduced physical effort for caregivers
The provision of friction-reducing aids can be a sound solution for reducing physical effort and improving patient comfort.3
Learn more about our solutions for reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
1. Richardson et al. Perspectives on preventing musculoskeletal injuries in nurses: A qualitative study. Nursing Open. 2019; 6:915-929.
2. Daragh A, et al. Safe Patient Handling Equipment in Therapy Practice: Implications for Rehabilitation. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2013; 67(1):45-53.
3. Fray M, Hignett S. Using patient handling equipment to manage immobility in and around a bed. British Journal of Nursing. 2015; 24(6).
4. McCoskey KL (2007) Ergonomics and patient handling. AAOHN Journal. 2007; 55(11): 454-62.
5. Wiggermann N, Zhou J, McGann N. E ect of Repositioning Aids and Patient Weight on Biomechanical Stresses When Repositioning Patients in Bed. Human Factors. 2020.