Application of hospital ergonomics in working environment of ward nurses in health care industry of Uttarakhand state
Loading...
Date
2010-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Nursing, the profession of caring for the sick, disabled and the helpless, is one of the noblest professions throughout the world. From the general ward to the operation theatre in the hospital, nursing is the most important component of patient care. They are always expected to display a calm, perceptive approach during crises. An important aspect of the work environment of nurses is that they are required to work at any point in the 24 hour day. Of all health care professionals, nurses have been found to have especially high levels of stress. Shift workers working in different industries including health industry experience a circadian rhythm dysynchronization, which is a persistent misalignment between a patient's sleep pattern and societal norms. Previously, various countermeasures to prevent adverse effects due to night-shift work have been examined in various industries but not much research is conducted on health industries. Therefore, present investigation aimed to study the personal and family profile of nurses, medical history and selected anthropometric measurements, to study the existing infrastructure facilities available in health care industry and handling of the same i.e. environmental parameters, medical equipments, medical accessories and furniture related to care of patients, to study the occupational details (type of activities) and associated hazards/accidents/risks/injuries at the place of work, to study the psychosocial and physiological cost of nursing work, to suggest ergonomically suitable work schedule approaches or strategies for nursing work. Descriptive-cum-experimental research design was used. In Uttarakhand state, districts i.e Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital were selected purposively from which purposive selection of 5 Government and 6 private hospitals was done. From government hospitals, 70 ward nurses and from private hospitals, 50 ward nurses were selected by simple random sampling technique without replacement to make a total sample of 120 nurses for descriptive data and out of that, 12 ward nurses were selected for collecting experimental data. It was found from investigation that mean age of nurses was 39.96 ± 0.77 years. Educational level varied from high school to graduation with additional nursing diploma courses, majority of nurses were married, mean income of nurses was Rs. 13,674±621.31 per month. Headache by 40%, anaemia by 19.17%, tiredness by 44.17% nurses were reported. Most of the nurses had rotating 8 hours job (50.83%) and overtime (40%). Activities like help in medical tests, giving medicine to patients, injury care, measuring blood pressure and heart rate were performed by most of the nurses. Most frequently used medical equipment was heart rate monitor, accessories like medical disposables and furniture i.e. baby cradle. About 12 per cent nurses reported the available furniture too high and 4.17% nurses found it too low thus, they felt it uncomfortable to use. Handling of BP apparatus was reported to be comfortable by majority of the nurses. About 94 per cent nurses revealed that the major hazards were repetitive motion and awkward posture. Poor sleep quality was reported by about 18 % nurses. The highest mean score was given to satisfaction statement i.e. ‘I am regular for my work’. About 69% nurses had normal BMI. For group III activities consisted of (mobility of patients, first aid and emergency, measuring blood pressure) the per cent change in B.P. was 11.65, H. R. (10.13), EER (36.05) which were maximum. Nurses involved in group III activities felt weak to strong exertion. In AL3 category of REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) postural analysis technique, 50% nurses performing group I activities were found. Spirometry results revealed moderate obstacles to normal lung function. Lactate analysis showed group II and III activities were more tiring as compared to group I. Ergonomically suitable work schedule, approaches and strategies for nursing work were suggested.
Description
Thesis-PhD
Keywords
ergonomics, hospitals, working conditions, nursing, health care, Uttarakhand, India