Nurses are at high risk of sustaining back injuries due to the nature of the job. Employers in the medical industry are required to prevent such injuries by providing proper training, implementing safety protocols, encouraging communication between departments regarding safety issues and so on.
Employer negligence contributes to many cases of nurses being injured in the line of duty. Below are three common causes of back injuries in nurses:
1. Patient handling
Nurses need to lift, transfer, reposition and move patients repeatedly. It’s crucial to use proper techniques to do these. For instance, nurses should be trained to keep an appropriate posture when manually lifting a patient.
Employers should also provide nurses with assistive devices, such as patient hoists, gait belts, transfer belts and slide sheets to use when helping patients.
2. Moving patients in stretchers and wheelchairs
Pulling and pushing a stretcher or wheelchair can strain the back of a nurse. Since they will be pushing against resistance, a repetitive strain on the lower back muscle can occur. This strain can worsen if a nurse needs to constantly turn, as doing so forces them to maintain awkward postures that can compress the spine.
Providing proper training and ergonomic equipment, such as wheelchairs with adjustable features and ensuring the environment facilitates easy movement can help prevent back injuries stemming from pushing and pulling stretchers or wheelchairs.
3. Prolonged standing
Nurses usually stand for prolonged periods when performing their duties. Unfortunately, this can strain the muscles in the lower back due to gravity.
A medical facility should ensure its nurses take stretch breaks, encourage them to wear the right shoes and hire enough nurses to cover different shifts to minimize the effects of prolonged standing.
Back pain is not uncommon among nurses. If you have sustained this injury at work, get more information to protect your rights.
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