An ergonomic assessment of using laterally-tilting operating room tables and friction reducing devices for patient lateral transfers

Patient lateral transfers between two adjacent surfaces pose high musculoskeletal disorder risks for nurses and patient handlers. The purpose of this research was to examine the ergonomic benefits of utilizing the laterally-tilting function of operating room (OR) tables during such transfers – along...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied ergonomics 2020-09, Vol.87, p.103122, Article 103122
Main Authors: Al-Qaisi, Saif K., El Tannir, Adnan, Younan, Lina A., Kaddoum, Roland N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Electromyography
Equipment Design
Ergonomics
Female
Friction
Friction-reducing device
Humans
Lumbosacral Region - physiology
Male
Moving and Lifting Patients - adverse effects
Moving and Lifting Patients - methods
Musculoskeletal Diseases - etiology
Nurses
Occupational Diseases - etiology
Operating room table angle
Operating Tables
Patient lateral transfer
Patient Simulation
Physical Exertion - physiology
Shoulder - physiology
Work - physiology
Young Adult
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Summary:Patient lateral transfers between two adjacent surfaces pose high musculoskeletal disorder risks for nurses and patient handlers. The purpose of this research was to examine the ergonomic benefits of utilizing the laterally-tilting function of operating room (OR) tables during such transfers – along with different friction-reducing devices (FRD). This method allows the patient to slide down to the adjacent surface as one nurse guides the transfer and another controls the OR table angle with a remote control. Sixteen nursing students and sixteen college students were recruited to act as nurses and patients, respectively. Two OR table angles were examined: flat and tilted. Three FRD conditions were considered: a standard blanket sheet, a plastic bag, and a slide board. Electromyography (EMG) activities were measured bilaterally from the posterior deltoids, upper trapezii, latissimus dorsi, and lumbar erector spinae muscles. The Borg-CR10 scale was used for participants to rate their perceived physical exertions. The efficiency of each method was measured using a stopwatch. Results showed that the tilted table technique completely replaced the physical efforts that would have been exerted by the pushing-nurse, in that muscle activation did not increase in the pulling-nurse. On the contrary, EMG activities of the pulling-nurse for most of the muscles significantly decreased (p 
ISSN:0003-6870
1872-9126
DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103122