Elford W, Straker L, Strauss G, et al.
Applied ergonomics. Date of publication 2000 Apr 1;volume 31(2):185-200.
1. Appl Ergon. 2000 Apr;31(2):185-200. doi: 10.1016/s0003-6870(99)00026-5.
Patient handling with and without slings: an analysis of the risk of injury to
the lumbar spine.
Elford W(1), Straker L, Strauss G.
Author information:
(1)School of Physiotherapy, Curtin University of Technology, Shenton Park, WA,
Australia.
Health professionals handling patients are known to be at risk of sustaining
work related low back injuries. It is not known whether the use of lifting
slings reduces the risk of injury to the lumbar spine for patient handlers. This
study used kinematic variables and subjective ratings of body part stress and
lifter preference as measures of relative risk for three two-person techniques
for carrying a patient from one chair to another chair. The techniques used no
slings, one and two slings respectively. Twenty-two nurses performed five trials
each of the three techniques. Kinematic measures of angular displacement,
velocity and acceleration were obtained using the lumbar motion monitor and
visual analogue scales were used to obtain measures of body part stress for
seven body parts. Angular displacement, velocity and acceleration were
significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the frontal, sagittal and transverse planes
for the no sling technique compared to techniques using slings. Comparatively
small yet significant differences between techniques using slings were recorded
for sagittal flexion and rotation. There was no significant difference between
one and two sling techniques for other dependent variables. Mean total body
stress rating was higher for the no sling technique and all subjects indicated
that their first preference was for slings. Although all three measures of risk
rated the no sling technique as carrying a higher level of risk than the
techniques using slings. No single measure adequately captured all aspects of
relative risk. The elimination of manual patient handling is thought to be the
best option for the reduction of work related back injuries in patient handlers.
Where resources or technology are not yet adequate to provide practical
alternatives and where the use of manual technique for a seat to seat task is
unavoidable, the use of patient handling slings will reduce the risk.
DOI: 10.1016/s0003-6870(99)00026-5
PMID: 10711981 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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