Enhancing Understanding Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses of Lower Back Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Risks

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have received the most attention worldwide of the various diseases addressed by the field of occupational medicine. In intensive care units (ICUs), patients with critical illness typically rely heavily on assistance provided by nurses to engage in daily life and rehabilitation activities. This dependence increases the risk of nurses experiencing WMSDs. An injury screening revealed that 56.4% of the nurses working in the ICU of the case hospital faced a mild risk of lower back musculoskeletal disorders and that the main contributor to this risk was lack of understanding among these nurses of lower-back-related WMSDs. This project was designed to enhance understanding of lower back WMSDs among the ICU nurses and to reduce the percentage of nurses facing a mild risk of contracting WMSDs. 1. Organize integrated courses to introduce human-induced hazards and enhance nurses' understanding and prevention of WMSDs. 2. Design slogans, posters, and teaching videos to promote awareness of patient turning tips and procedures to prevent nurses from experiencing WMSDs due to incorrect force application. 3. Design illustrations highlighting risky postures commonly performed by nurses in ICUs that may cause lower back WMSDs to prevent the occurrence of human-induced injuries. The rate of correct understanding of lower back WMSDs in the target nurse population improved from 73.8% to 96.2%. In addition, the percentage of those assessed with a mild risk of contracting lower back musculoskeletal injuries decreased from 56.4% to 25.5%. This project promoted multifaceted improvement measures based on the WMSD screening and risk classification and management processes stipulated by Taiwan's Ministry of Labor to increase understanding of lower back WMSDs among ICU nurses and reduce the percentage of those facing a mild risk of contracting WMSDs.