Healthcare workers face some of the highest rates of occupational back pain and injuries, which can take them away from their essential duties and patient care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses alone report over 35,000 job-related back and musculoskeletal injuries annually, often resulting in missed work. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reveals that nearly half of all healthcare workers will experience at least one work-related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) during their career.
While the job’s fast-paced, high-stress, and physically demanding nature poses inherent risks, healthcare workers can reduce their chances of back injuries by adopting proper body mechanics, maintaining good posture, and strengthening their core. Ultimately, clinicians can only deliver safe, effective care to their patients when they prioritize their own health and well-being.
Pause. Assess. Protect!
Follow these tips for good body mechanics
- Keep a wide base of support with one foot slightly forward.
- Be sure to plant your feet firmly and bend your knees.
- Wear appropriate footwear.
- Know your limitations. Ask for help. Is equipment available to make this safer (i.e., non-friction sheets, gait belts, lifting slings, mechanical lifts, etc.)?
- Hold loads close and firm. Hips and shoulders should be square.
Tips for Preventing Injury
- Avoid quick and jerky movements that can strain back muscles.
- Avoid twisting when lifting: “Nose goes with toes.”
- In addition to proper body mechanics, communicating with your patient and team is essential. Let your patient know what you are doing and ask them to assist if they can. Create a plan. Make sure language is clear among staff when working together to transfer or move a patient.
While following these preventative tips can be challenging in the heat of the moment, it’s important to cultivate good habits over time. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to reducing your risk of injury. Regular aerobic exercise, core strengthening, and flexibility-enhancing stretches can all help prevent strain. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight, staying hydrated, and getting massages to improve circulation in sore or injured areas can make a big difference. Finally, ensure you get plenty of rest to allow your body to recover and stay strong.
Additional Information
Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (nursingworld.org)
Safe Lifting Techniques | OSHA Safety Manuals (safetymanualosha.com)
Interventions to Prevent Back Pain (National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Safe Patient Handling (osha.gov/healthcare/safe-patient-handling)
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