To explore the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders, job risk factor, and self-protective behaviors in operating room nurses

• Main Authors: Shu-Hung Lee, 李淑葒
• Other Authors: Shu-Yuan Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/64012802378473304471

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 護理學研究所 === 99 === Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), job risk factors, and self-protective behaviors in operating room nurses. This study used a cross-sectional descriptive correlation design with the purposive sampling method. Structure self-report questionnaires were used in this study to survey operation room nurses and anesthetists from two southern medical centers in Tainan and Kaohsiung County. A total of 272 questionnaires were distributed to operating room nurses, and 252 questionnaires were returned. The response rate was 93.0%. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version17. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t tests and Pearson’s correlation. Approximately 84% of the operation room nurses and anesthetists had reported MSDs in last year. The most frequently reporting MSDs at body regions were low back (58.3%), shoulder (45.9%), and neck (43.1%). Significant correlations were found between age, gender, spinal disease history, clinical years of experience, duration of operation room employment, level of clinical ladder and the severity of MSDs (p <.05). Job risk factors and the severity of MSDs was significantly correlated. However, there was no significant correlation between standing times per day, self-protective behaviors and the severity of MSDs. There was a significant negative correlation between self-protective behaviors and job risk factors. Furthermore, job risk factor, age and spinal disease history were the predictors of the severity of MSDs. They had accounted 21.3% of total variance. This study has identified a higher prevalence rate of MSDs in operation room nurses, and a higher weekly work hours and longer standing hours per day compared to previous nurses’ studies. It should be concerned about the MSDs and workload in operation room nurses. We recommend monitoring nurses’ daily workload in organization; ensuring adequate staffing to maintain reasonable weekly work hours and standing time per day, or to rotate job duties such as a circulating or scrub nurse, or to limit standing times per shift. This study suggests that the severity of MSDs increase with age, clinical years of experience, and duration of operation room employment respectively. The senior nurses who suffered severe MSDs may be arranged to less prolonged standing positions, or noticed for taking a break during the work to reduce their musculoskeletal disorders. We recommended nursing students receiving classes about job risk factors and self-protective behaviors, to develop better coping strategies for musculoskeletal problems. In order to enhance the levels of knowledge and skill of nurses, conducting continuing education programs about the preventing MSDs is suggested. Preparing an adequate number of ergonomic instruments such as roller board, a standing support stool or standing aid in operating rooms to reduce personnel’s cumulative musculoskeletal disorders are recommended.