Army Reserve Sgt. Larry Moss, a licensed practical nurse assigned to Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force 352-1, puts on personal protective equipment to protect against COVID-19 exposure (Photo by: Army Spc. Joshua Cowden, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment).
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries (RMIs) or repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are work-related musculoskeletal disorders that can result from exposure to repetitive and forceful motions.
"In the upper extremities, these actions are commonly seen in fine motor tasks which can be found throughout medical settings such as pipetting, microscope use, manipulation of ultrasound wands, surgical, and other treatment instruments, microtome work in a pathology lab, and near constant use of hand-held technology, computers, and medical equipment," said Kelsey McCoskey, an ergonomist for the Army Public Health Center..
RSI and overuse can be felt in the nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons through repetitive stress micro-tears and inflammation of surrounding soft tissues, McCoskey said. To lessen the chances of developing these injuries, she suggested:
- Take frequent 30- to 60-second breaks to stretch and change postures.
- Take many smaller breaks from repetitive tasks rather than one long break.
- Shift tasks in an effort to use different muscle groups.
- Keep proper posture at desks.
- Have an ergonomist review your office or work space.
- Try to take a break for a minute every 20 minutes or so to stand up, or move your feet, arms and hands in circular motions to promote blood flow and give your muscles a change of routine.
Lifting and Handling Injuries
The constant moving of patients and heavy equipment can take a toll on health care workers' backs and necks.
Identification of these work-related musculoskeletal disorder risk factors and controls to minimize exposure can help reduce the potential for fatigue and discomfort and improve efficiency and effectiveness.
"Many people take manual lifting for granted," Sinatra said "There is a technique to lifting properly, and supervisors must train their personnel on this technique."
His tips for improved safety:
- Try not to lift something from the floor.
- Look at the box and see if it has the symbol for a two-person carry.
- Push the box with your foot to see how manageable it is for you to lift. If you don't feel it's manageable, stop and get help.
- If it is manageable, get close to the load, bending at the knees, keeping your back straight; then grasp the load with both hands, stand straight up without twisting or turning and pull the load close to your body.
- Place the load on a device to push it to the destination, instead of carrying. Even using a chair with wheels is better than carrying a heavy box across the room.
- Remember that nothing beats a lifting device such as a hand truck, patient lifting device (sling), etc., but if you have to lift something, use the proper technique.
- Get assistance in moving a patient if necessary to do so safely for your and the patient.
"I'm a veteran of three back surgeries and know first-hand about how not being trained in the proper lifting techniques and how it can injure a person for life," Sinatra said.
Other Safety Measures
Assessing, designing, and modifying work environments to include administrative and engineering controls can help to minimize these exposures.
McCoskey said: "Engineering controls may include automated medical equipment, equipment designed for adjustability, neutral postures, and low-force requirements, equipment handles that are not too small or too large and fit comfortably in the hand, upper extremity supports, and workstation adjustability to accommodate multiple users."