According to OSHA, many registered nurses attribute their injuries and musculoskeletal disorders to overexertion related to repeated transfer, repositioning, and ambulation of healthcare recipients. Therefore, repeated transfers and repositioning of healthcare recipients from their designated spot for example from the gurney to the surgery table and back or any given change in the environment dependent on the medical needs of the patient becomes hugely tasking for the nurses especially when the patient is muscular and bulky (ANA,2013). Constant ambulation of patients during transfers to or from home, referral for specialized treatment or reception of patients from accident scenes further aggravates the condition of MSDs in nurses and the nursing assistants.
Dealing with musculoskeletal disorders derived from overexertion during transfers and reposition can be done through the implementation of the safe patient handling and mobility programs. As outlined in the SPHM standards, employers must include in their organizational policy a commitment to a culture of safety in resource allocation, policies, and procedures. Therefore the nursing tasks of repeat transfers and reposition can be simplified through the provision of specialized machinery and resources such as air mattresses for muscular patients to allow smooth movement during transfer of patients and repositioning to enhance safety for the nurse and the patient (Reilly 2012).
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Constant ambulation of healthcare recipients is unavoidable and necessary. However, the safety and well-being of nurses is also a priority and requirement in the SPHM. Therefore, in addition to the provision of specialized machinery resources, the employer is also mandated to provide adequate staff to handle the appropriate workload to avoid overworking and provide ample time or training and education (Risk management handbook for healthcare organizations, 2011). The recommendation of delivering specialized machinery and adequate staffing in the allocation of workload should be applied to both registered nurses and the unlicensed assistive personnel to keep in line with the first standard in the inter-professional rules of safe patient handling and mobility which aims at establishing a culture of safety for all (ANA, 2013).
References
American Nurses Association. (2013) Safe Patient Handling and Mobility .Interprofessional National Standards.
Reilly, T. (2012). Musculoskeletal disorders in health-related occupations. Amsterdam: Tokyo.
Risk management handbook for health care organizations , 3 volume set. (2011). San Francisco, Calif: Jossey-Bass.
