TY - JOUR
T1 - Results of a pilot intervention to improve health and safety for health care workers
AU - Caspi, Caitlin Eicher
AU - Dennerlein, Jack T.
AU - Kenwood, Christopher
AU - Stoddard, Anne M.
AU - Hopcia, Karen
AU - Hashimoto, Dean
AU - Sorensen, Glorian
PY - 2013/12
Y1 - 2013/12
N2 - OBJECTIVE:: To test the feasibility of a multicomponent pilot intervention to improve worker safety and wellness in two Boston hospitals. METHODS:: A 3-month intervention was conducted on seven hospital units. Pre- (374 workers) and postsurveys (303 workers) assessed changes in safety/ergonomic behaviors and practices, and social support. Wellness outcomes included self-reported pain/aching in specific body areas (musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs) and physical activity (PA). RESULTS:: Pain was reported frequently (81%), and PA averaged 4 hours per week. There was a postintervention increase in safe patient handling (P < 0.0001), safety practices (P = 0.0004), ergonomics (P = 0.009), and supervisor support (P = 0.01), but no changes in MSDs or PA. CONCLUSIONS:: Safe patient handling, ergonomics, and safety practices are good targets for worker safety and wellness interventions; longer intervention periods may reduce the risk of MSDs.
AB - OBJECTIVE:: To test the feasibility of a multicomponent pilot intervention to improve worker safety and wellness in two Boston hospitals. METHODS:: A 3-month intervention was conducted on seven hospital units. Pre- (374 workers) and postsurveys (303 workers) assessed changes in safety/ergonomic behaviors and practices, and social support. Wellness outcomes included self-reported pain/aching in specific body areas (musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs) and physical activity (PA). RESULTS:: Pain was reported frequently (81%), and PA averaged 4 hours per week. There was a postintervention increase in safe patient handling (P < 0.0001), safety practices (P = 0.0004), ergonomics (P = 0.009), and supervisor support (P = 0.01), but no changes in MSDs or PA. CONCLUSIONS:: Safe patient handling, ergonomics, and safety practices are good targets for worker safety and wellness interventions; longer intervention periods may reduce the risk of MSDs.
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U2 - 10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182a7e65a
DO - 10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182a7e65a
M3 - Article
C2 - 24270297
AN - SCOPUS:84890568086
SN - 1076-2752
VL - 55
SP - 1449
EP - 1455
JO - Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
JF - Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
IS - 12
ER -