![]() Nursing personnel are consistently listed as one of the top ten occupations for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This new call for action includes systematic change in health care facilities across the continuum of care as well as a new curriculum for schools of nursing. Given the complexity of this high-risk, high volume, high-cost problem, multifaceted programs are more likely to be effective than any single intervention. Promising new interventions, which are still being tested, include use of unit-based peer leaders and clinical tools, such as algorithms and patient assessment protocols. ![]() A major paradigm shift is needed away from these ineffective approaches towards the following evidennuce-based practices: (a) patient handling equipment/devices, (b) patient care ergonomic assessment protocols, (c) no lift policies, (d) training on proper use of patient handling equipment/devices, and (e) patient lift teams. Surprisingly there is strong evidence that each of these commonly used approaches is not effective in reducing caregiver injuries. The most common patient handling approaches in the United States include manual patient lifting, classes in body mechanics, training in safe lifting techniques, and back belts. ![]() Strategies to prevent or minimize work-related musculoskeletal injuries associated with patient handling are often based on tradition and personal experience rather than scientific evidence.
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