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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of friction-reducing devices used for lateral patient transfers. A mannequin used to represent a dependent patient was transferred laterally from bed to stretcher. One male investigator repeated this task using 11 comparable lateral transfer aids or techniques. Applied force was measured using a dynamometer; postural analysis was prepared from still photography. Mean applied force, spinal forces, and population strength capabilities were calculated. The most efficacious mechanism for lateral patient transfers had extendable pull straps, low-friction material, and optimally located handles. Findings of this study will aid occupational health and safety clinicians and hospitalbased caregivers in the selection of appropriate technologies to be used during lateral patient transfers. These devices improve patient safety and reduce the risk of back injury to caregivers.
Nursing is ranked second only to industrial work for physical workload intensity and is a highrisk profession for back injury (Engels, Landeweerd, & Kant, 1994; Kjellberg, Johnsson, Proper, Olsson, & Hagberg, 2000; Skovron, Nordin, Sterling, & Mulvihill, 1987). Compared with the general working population, nurses have a considerably higher prevalence and incidence of back pain and back injuries (Hignett, 1996; Kjellberg et al., 2000; Smedley, Egger, Cooper, & Coggon, 1997). Pheasant and Stubbs (1992) reported that nurses have approximately 30% more days off due to back pain compared with only 8% in the general working population. Key risk factors for back pain include excessive physical workload, low job satisfaction, history of back injury, age, lack of sports activities, and night shift work (Elfering et al., 2002; Nordin &Frankel, 1980).
Yassi et al. (1995) found that lifting and transferring patients were the two most common mechanisms for back injury among nurses. Stubbs and Buckle (1984) found that 36% of all low back pain in nurses was associated with patient handling. This is in agreement with a study by Jensen (1990), who found that the prevalence rate of back injuries among nurses who frequently handled patients was 3.7 times that of those who infrequently handled patients. Due to the nature of their work, including repositioning, transferring, and bathing patients, nurses are required to twist and bend simultaneously at the lumbar region. Retsas and Pinikahana (2000) reported that during an 8-hour work period, nurses may...