Back Injury Among Healthcare Workers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently calculated nearly 60,000 musculoskeletal injuries to healthcare workers resulting from heavy lifting during attempts to move patients. Often the nurses, aides, orderlies, and attendants who suffered permanent injuries were forced out of the profession, straining an already inadequate pool of workers and

Hospitals and nursing homes are responding to changes in the health care system by modifying staffing levels and the mix of nursing personnel. But do these changes endanger the quality of patient care? Do nursing staff suffer increased rates of injury, illness, or stress because of changing workplace demands? These questions are addressed in Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes, a thorough and authoritative look at today's health care system that also takes a long-term view of staffing needs for nursing as the nation moves into the next century. The committee draws fundamental conclusions about the evolving role of nurses in hospitals and nursing homes and presents recommendations about staffing decisions, nursing training, measurement of quality, reimbursement, and other areas. The volume also discusses work-related injuries, violence toward and abuse of nursing staffs, and stress among nursing personnelâ€"and examines whether these problems are related to staffing levels. Included is a readable overview of the underlying trends in health care that have given rise to urgent questions about nurse staffing: population changes, budget pressures, and the introduction of new technologies. Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes provides a straightforward examination of complex and sensitive issues surround the role and value of nursing on our health care system.

This volume provides a review of the definition, biomechanics, physiopathology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of lumbar segmental instability. The contributors address the controversies surrounding this condition and offer clinicians guidance in choosing appropriate and cost-effective therapy.

Every year workers' low-back, hand, and arm problems lead to time away from jobs and reduce the nation's economic productivity. The connection of these problems to workplace activities-from carrying boxes to lifting patients to pounding computer keyboards-is the subject of major disagreements among workers, employers, advocacy groups, and researchers. Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace examines the scientific basis for connecting musculoskeletal disorders with the workplace, considering people, job tasks, and work environments. A multidisciplinary panel draws conclusions about the likelihood of causal links and the effectiveness of various intervention strategies. The panel also offers recommendations for what actions can be considered on the basis of current information and for closing information gaps. This book presents the latest information on the prevalence, incidence, and costs of musculoskeletal disorders and identifies factors that influence injury reporting. It reviews the broad scope of evidence: epidemiological studies of physical and psychosocial variables, basic biology, biomechanics, and physical and behavioral responses to stress. Given the magnitude of the problem-approximately 1 million people miss some work each year-and the current trends in workplace practices, this volume will be a must for advocates for workplace health, policy makers, employers, employees, medical professionals, engineers, lawyers, and labor officials.

Written by world-renowned spine physicians, this volume presents a global view of what is known about neck and back pain. This evidence-based book emphasizes cost-effective diagnosis and treatment. Twenty-one chapters cover topics that range from epidemiology, psychological factors, and work-related influences to surgical and nonsurgical treatments, a review of social security systems, and recommendations.

Did you know that an estimated 12% of nurses leave the profession annually because of back injuries and that over half of RNs complain of chronic back pain? This book presents best practices in safe patient handling and movement. Nurse and hospital administrators, clinicians, clinical managers, risk managers, and those involved in procurement and implementation of patient handling technologies in the health care environment will find this a practical resource for improving care and protecting staff from unnecessary injury. You will come away from reading this book with information that you can employ in a variety of work environments--hospitals, nursing homes, home care, and other health care organizations--whatever your practice setting may be. Caregiver safety approaches include: Evidence-based standards for safe patient movement and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries An overview of available equipment and technology Architectural designs for ergonomically safe patient care space Institutional policies, such as use of lift teams

Authored by experts of international renown, the new edition of The Biomechanics of Back Pain forms a bridge between the latest research and the effective clinical management of patients with back problems. Now published for the first time in full colour, the volume presents a unique synthesis of the latest research findings and explains its recent changes in emphasis - from trying to understand and reverse age-related spinal degeneration to addressing the soft tissue causes of pain. New chapters are devoted to Sensorimotor Control, and Cervical Spine Anatomy and Biomechanics, while a bonus website contains useful PowerPoint presentations, which include seminars entitled Back Pain and Forces on the Spine as well as an overview of the Psychosocial Flags Framework. Clinically orientated and highly practical throughout, The Biomechanics of Back Pain has become the standard platform by which readers keep abreast of research and developments in the field and is essential for all clinicians involved in the care and treatment of patients with back pain, as well as for those studying its causes and methods of prevention. Established authoritative text for clinicians, lecturers, researchers and those working in the medico-legal arena Emphasizes the latest perspectives in research and shows how it is now leading to advances in clinical methodology Provides an overview of the best original research – including more than 350 new references – to provide researchers with the latest and most important information relating to back pain Contains over 150 full-colour line artworks and more than 60 photographs Additional chapters devoted to Sensorimotor Control, and Cervical Spine Anatomy and Biomechanics Includes more than 350 new references Now published in full colour with improved page design and navigation Bonus website containing useful PowerPoint presentations, which include seminars entitled Back Pain and Forces on the Spine as well as an overview of the Psychosocial Flags Framework