Evaluation of Different Patient Transfer Devices in Reducing Biomechanical Exposures Among Professional Caregivers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Chen J ; Chodraju SSR ; Hwang J ; Kim JH ; Kuppam VA
• Description:
  This study systematically investigated the efficacy of commercially-available patient transfer devices (a slide sheet, slide board, air-assisted device, and conventional draw sheet) in reducing biomechanical exposures during standardized lateral patient transfer tasks. A repeated-measures laboratory study with 10 experienced caregivers (9 females and 1 male) was conducted to measure the muscle activity in the upper extremity (flexor digitorum superficialis, extensor digitorum communis, biceps, triceps, and trapezius) and low back (erector spinae), and hand pull force and during standardized lateral patient transfer tasks with four different commercially-available transfer devices. The results showed that there were significant differences between the transfer devices in muscle activity (p's < 0.01) and hand pull force (p < 0.01). The air-assisted device showed the largest reduction of muscle activities and hand pull force. The slide board also showed lower muscle activities and hand full force as compared to the slide sheet and conventional draw sheet; however, limited differences in muscle activity and hand pull force were found between the slide sheet and conventional draw sheet. These findings indicate that the air-assisted device and slide board may be effective engineering controls to reduce the biomechanical exposures and associated injury risks in the upper extremity and low back among caregivers. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomechanical Phenomena Engineering Ergonomics Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Biomechanics Engineering Controls Muscle Function Patient Handling
• ISSN:
  1071-1813
• Publisher:
  Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  Illinois ; Oregon ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  62
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20068493
• Citation:
  Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 62nd Annual Meeting, October 1-5, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2018 Sep; 62(1):933-937
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• Performing Organization:
  University of Illinois at Chicago
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 62nd Annual Meeting, October 1-5, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• End Date:
  20290630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b03da56f5b30efa8dba143d7ec8d0ac70f2c963614c19cf783c3f16741f560dc87d667b0bd1c9ab2b274ce4449d44e0ee5c39ede8e3759374c317f763da6623a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/207109/cdc_207109_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 98.39 KB ]