Look beyond patient handling to tackle MSDs.(Conference notes)

Look beyond patient handling to tackle MSDs

Hazards lurk in food service, materials, laundry

Hospitals had a larger number of injuries from overexertion in 2008 than any other industry in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But even if you cut out most of the patient handling injuries, many back and neck strains and other musculoskeletal injuries would still occur.

The hazards exist beyond patient handling, especially in environmental services and facilities maintenance, says Rick Barker, MA, CPE, an ergonomic consultant with Humantech in Ann Arbor, MI. He will be speaking on the topic at the upcoming annual conference of the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP), Sept. 15-18 in Boston.

…