Prévenir les troubles musculosquelettiques chez les soignants : connaître les expositions et étude des outils d’aide à la manutention

Abstract

Summary Aim of the study The occupational hazard evaluation and prevention program aimed to propose specific hospital programs and risk assessment tools for the French University Hospitals networks. Studies regarding the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were mostly based on the combined expertise in ergonomics, epidemiology and industrial medicine of the University Hospitals of Angers and Grenoble. Method An initial epidemiological study identified the main risk factors for upper-extremity MSDs and low back pain in the hospital healthcare workers. The second study focused on the ergonomic assessment of assistive equipments for patient handling. Results Hospital workers were exposed to 2.4 of the 19 documented risk factors (3.5 for the general population of the region), but did not suffer from more MSDs of the upper limbs than salaried workers of the Pays de la Loire region. However, exposure to manual handling of heavy loads during patient care was more frequent. The technical equipment available to assist in-patient handling were most often not adapted to the criteria of patient dependence and/or the work organisation of the health services. The patient–equipment relationships, the usability of the devices and the psychological point of view of the hospital workers must be taken into account for the prevention. Conclusion This pilot investigation involved biomechanical processes forming part of a multidisciplinary preventive approach integrated into institution policy.