Ergonomics Related Occupational Health Hazards Among Nurses in Public and Private Hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan

Shaileen Riaz Virani*, Armish Aziz Ahmed**, Karishma Karim***
* Pharmacist BPS 17, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
** Registered Nurse, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
*** Assistant Head Nurse, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Periodicity:November - January'2018
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.7.4.13900

Abstract

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 2000) has mentioned that nursing is among those professions that have the highest risk of ergonomic hazards, especially musculoskeletal disorders. Many studies have been done on body mechanics, transfer, and lifting by nurses, but none of them proved to be operative against ergonomics occupational hazards. According to (Zakerian et al., 2013), very few literatures are available on ergonomics occupational health hazards faced by nurses. Additional literature is needed to reduce the rate of ergonomics health hazards faced by nurses as mentioned by the authors. This research aims to find out the risk factors and hazards responsible for causing ergonomic related problems among nurses, evaluate their practices, and suggest recommendations to reduce it. Moreover, this study benefits the employer in terms of reduce turnover and improves retention of nurses. This is a cross sectional study. Non-probability purposive sampling was done and total of 384 participants were recruited. A standardized structured validated questionnaire adapted from American Nurses Association (2011) was used. Results were compiled according to individual questions clustered in a group. The results showed that nurses working in private and public sector hospitals of Karachi are predisposed to certain ergonomic related hazards and risk factors. Measures should be taken by hospital administration to reduce such hazards and to promote health and well-being of patients and nurses too.

Keywords

Ergonomics, Occupational Hazards, On-the-Job Injuries, Patient Care, Preventive Devices, Safety

How to Cite this Article?

Virani, S.R., Ahmed, A.A., and Halani,K.K. (2018). Ergonomics Related Occupational Health Hazards Among Nurses in Public and Private Hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 7(4), 27-43. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.7.4.13900

References

[1]. Aluko, O. O., Adebayo, A. E., Adebisi, T. F., Ewegbemi, M. K., Abidoye, A. T., & Popoola, B. F. (2016). Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of occupational hazards and safety practices in Nigerian healthcare workers. BMC Research Notes, 9(1), 71.
[2]. American Nurses Association. (2011). Health and Safety Survey. Retrieved from http://nursingworld.org/ functionalmenucategories/mediaresources/mediabackg rounders/the-nurse-work-environment-2011-health-safetysurvey. pdf
[3]. American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Handle With Care Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld. org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/Factsheetsand- Toolkits/FactSheet.html
[4]. Amponsah-Tawiah, K., & Mensah, J. (2016). Occupational health and safety and organizational commitment: Evidence from the Ghanaian mining industry. Safety and Health at Work, 7(3), 225-230.
[5]. Balouchi, A., Shahdadi, H., Ahmadidarrehsima, S., & Rafiemanesh, H. (2015). The frequency, causes and prevention of needlestick injuries in nurses of Kerman: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research: JCDR, 9(12), DC13.
[6]. Bernal, D., Campos-Serna, J., Tobias, A., Vargas- Prada, S., Benavides, F. G., & Serra, C. (2015). Work-related psychosocial risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders in hospital nurses and nursing aides: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 52(2), 635-648.
[7]. Boucaut, R., & Cusack, L. (2016). 'Sometimes your safety goes a bit by the wayside'… exploring Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) with student nurses. Nurse Education in Practice, 20, 93-98.
[8]. Chapman, R., Styles, I., Perry, L., & Combs, S. (2010). Examining the characteristics of workplace violence in one non?tertiary hospital. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19(3?4), 479-488.
[9]. Cimiotti, J. P., Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., & Wu, E. S. (2012). Nurse staffing, burnout, and health care– associated infection. American Journal of Infection Control, 40(6), 486-490.
[10]. Feletto, M., & Graze, W. (1997). A back injury prevention guide for healthcare providers. Retrieved from h t t p s : / / w w w. d i r. c a. g o v / d o s h / d o s h _ p u b l i c a t i o n s / backinj.pdf
[11]. Ghosh, T. (2013). Occupational health and hazards among health care workers. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 3(1), 1-4.
[12]. Healthcare, N. O. R. A. & Council, S. A. S. (2009). State of the sector healthcare and social assistance. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Publication, (2009-139).
[13]. ILO Approximation. (1999). Safety and Health at work.
[14]. Irfan, H. (2012). Occupational Health and Safety in Pakistan. Retrieved from https://socialviews.word press.com/2012/07/01/occupational-health-and-safetyin- pakistan-by-hina-irfan/
[15]. Karahan, A., Kav, S., Abbasoglu, A., & Dogan, N. (2009). Low back pain: Prevalence and associated risk factors among hospital staff. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(3), 516-524.
[16]. Kermode, M., Jolley, D., Langkham, B., Thomas, M. S., & Crofts, N. (2005). Occupational exposure to blood and risk of bloodborne virus infection among health care workers in rural north Indian health care settings. American Journal of Infection Control, 33(1), 34-41.
[17]. Khademloo, M., Moonesi, F. S., & Gholizade, H. (2013). Health care violence and abuse towards nurses in hospitals in north of Iran. Global Journal of Health Science, 5(4), 211.
[18]. Labour Education Foundation. (2013). Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in Pakistan. Retrieved from http://www.anroev.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/05/OSHWorkshop- Pakistan.pdf
[19]. Long, M. H., Bogossian, F. E., & Johnston, V. (2013). The prevalence of work-related neck, shoulder, and upper back musculoskeletal disorders among midwives, nurses, and physicians: A systematic review. Workplace Health and Safety, 61(5), 223-229.
[20]. Miner, C., Laramie, A. K., Davis, L. K., & Tran, D. (2013). Survey of safe patient handling activities in Massachusetts hospitals. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Information, Statistics, Research and Evaluation, Occupational Health Surveillance Program.
[21]. Ndejjo, R., Musinguzi, G., Yu, X., Buregyeya, E., Musoke, D., Wang, J. S., ... & Ssempebwa, J. (2015). Occupational health hazards among healthcare workers in Kampala, Uganda. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2015.
[22]. Nelson, A., Owen, B., Lloyd, J. D., Fragala, G., Matz, M. W., Amato, M., ... & Lentz, K. (2003). Safe Patient Handling and Movement: Preventing back injury among nurses requires careful selection of the safest equipment and techniques. The second of two articles. AJN-The American Journal of Nursing, 103(3), 32-43.
[23]. Nelson, A. & Baptiste, A. (2004). Evidence-based practices for safe patient handling and movement. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 9(3), 4.
[24]. Nelson, A., Matz, M., Chen, F., Siddharthan, K., Lloyd, J., & Fragala, G. (2006). Development and evaluation of a multifaceted ergonomics program to prevent injuries associated with patient handling tasks. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 43(6), 717-733.
[25]. NIOSH. (2009). Safe Patient Handling Training for Schools of Nursing. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ niosh/docs/2009-127/pdfs/2009-127.pdf
[26]. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2000). Ergonomics: The Study of Work. Washington, DC: Author.
[27]. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2013). Facts about hospital worker safety. Washington DC: US Department of Labour.
[28]. Oregon Nurses Association. (n.d.). Ergonomics and Safe Patient Handling. Retrieved from http://www.oregonrn. org/?page=101
[29]. Orji, E. O., Fasubaa, O. B., Onwudiegwu, U., Dare, F. O., & Ogunniyi, S. O. (2002). Occupational health hazards among health care workers in an obstetrics and gynaecology unit of a Nigerian teaching hospital. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 22(1), 75-78.
[30]. Patterson, W. B., Craven, D. E., Schwartz, D. A., Nardell, E. A., Kasmer, J., & Noble, J. (1985). Occupational hazards to hospital personnel. Annals of Internal Medicine, 102(5), 658-680.
[31]. Pasha, T. S., Liesivuori, J., & Finland, K. (2003). Country profile on occupational safety and health in Pakistan. Kuopio (Finland): Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
[32]. Pope, A. M., Snyder, M. A., Mood, L. H., & Institute of Medicine (U.S.). (1995). Nursing, health and the environment: Strengthening the relationship to improve the public's health. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
[33]. Prüss-Üstün, A., Rapiti, E., & Hutin, Y. (2005). Estimation of the global burden of disease attributable to contaminated sharps injuries among health?care workers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 48(6), 482-490.
[34]. Punke, H. (2016, May). 4 statistics on nurse workplace i n j u r i e s . R e t r i e v e d f r o m h t t p : / / w w w. b e c k e r s hospitalreview.com/human-capital-and-risk/4-statisticson- nurse-workplace-injuries.html
[35]. Putz-Anderson, V., Bernard, B. P., Burt, S. E., Cole, L. L., Fairfield-Estill, C., Fine, L. J., ... & Nelson, N. (1997). Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 104.
[36]. Rahman, H. A., Abdul-Mumin, K., & Naing, L. (2017). Ps y c h o s o c i a l w o r k s t r e s s o r s, w o r k f a t i g u e, a n d musculoskeletal disorders: Comparison between emergency and critical care nurses in Brunei Public Hospitals. Asian Nursing Research, 11(1), 13-18.
[37]. Ramsay, J. D. (2005). A new look at nursing safety: The development and use of JHAs in the Emergency Department. In A SSE Professional Development Conference and Exposition. American Society of Safety Engineers.
[38]. Ribeiro, T., Serranheira, F., & Loureiro, H. (2017). Work related musculoskeletal disorders in primary health care nurses. Applied Nursing Research, 33, 72-77.
[39]. Rogers, B., Buckheit, K., & Ostendorf, J. (2013). Ergonomics and nursing in hospital environments. Workplace Health and Safety, 61(10), 429-439.
[40]. Saif Corporation. (2007). Ergonomics and M u s c u l o s k e l e t a l d i s o r d e r s . R e t r i e v e d f r o m http://www.saif.com/_files/safetyhealthguides/sc-115.pdf
[41]. Schibye, B., Skotte, J., Hye-Knudsen, C. T., Hansen, A. F., & Essendrop, M. (2000). The mechanical loads on the low back during different patient handling tasks. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting (Vol. 44, No. 31, pp. 5-785). Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.
[42]. Sebastian, V. (2013). Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace. Retrieved from http://neurosciencenursing. b l o g s p o t. c o m / 2 0 1 3 / 1 2 / e r g o n o m i c - h a z a r d s - i n - workplace.html
[43]. Shepherd, C. (2001). Dimensions of care: ergonomics for the hospital setting. Occupational Health Tracker, 4(2), 8-9.
[44]. Shieh, S. H., Sung, F. C., Su, C. H., Tsai, Y., & Hsieh, V. C. R. (2016). Increased low back pain risk in nurses with high workload for patient care: A questionnaire survey. Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 55(4), 525-529.
[45]. Shimizu, H. E., Couto, D. T., Merchán-Hamann, E., & Branco, A. B. (2010). Occupational health hazards in ICU nursing staff. Nursing Research and Practice, 2010.
[46]. Stetler, C. B., Burns, M., Sander-Buscemi, K., Morsi, D., & Grunwald, E. (2003). Use of evidence for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Orthopaedic Nursing, 22(1), 32-41.
[47]. Ulutasdemir, N., Kilic, M., Zeki, Ö., & Begendi, F. (2015). Effects of occupational health and safety on healthy lifestyle behaviors of workers employed in a private company in Turkey. Annals of Global Health, 81(4), 503- 511.
[48]. University of California. (2016). Ergonomics Injury Pre v e n t i o n Pro g r am O v e r v i e w. Re t r i e v e d f r o m http://www.ucop.edu/risk-ser vices/loss-preventioncontrol/ ergonomics/index.html
[49]. Weiner, C., Alperovitch-Najenson, D., Ribak, J., & Kalichman, L. (2015). Prevention of nurses' work-related musculoskeletal disorders resulting from repositioning patients in bed: Comprehensive narrative review. Workplace Health and Safety, 63(5), 226-232.
[50]. World Health Organization. (2001). Occupational health: a manual for primary health care workers. Retrieved f r o m h t t p : / / w w w. w h o. i n t / o c c u p a t i o n a l _ h e a l t h / regions/en/oehemhealthcareworkers.pdf
[51]. Wu, Y., Fujita, S., Seto, K., Ito, S., Matsumoto, K., Huang, C. C., & Hasegawa, T. (2013). The impact of nurse working hours on patient safety culture: a cross-national survey including Japan, the United States and Chinese Taiwan using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture. BMC Health Services Research, 13(1), 394.
[52]. Yasobant, S., & Rajkumar, P. (2014). Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among health care professionals: A cross-sectional assessment of risk factors in a tertiary hospital, India. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 18(2), 75-81.
[53]. Zakerian, S. A., Monazzam, M. R., Dehghan, S. F., Mohraz, M. H., Safari, H., & Asghari, M. (2013). Relationship between Knowledge of Ergonomics and Workplace Conditions with Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses: A Questionnaire Survey. World Applied Sciences Journal, 24(2), 227-33.
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Pdf 35 35 200 20
Online 35 35 200 15
Pdf & Online 35 35 400 25

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.