Musculoskeletal Disorders in Perioperative Personnel and Related Factors

Abstract

Background: The nursing profession is physically demanding with increased rates of occupational injuries. Operating room nurses (ORNs) experience rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) between 66.1% to 92.5%. Surgical technologists (STs), functioning similar to that of a scrub nurse, remain underrepresented in MSDs research. Multiple factors contribute to the development of MSDs; however, little is known about the rates of adherence to ergonomic safety practices. Further, differences in risks among surgical team members, specifically ORNs and STs, is poorly understood. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine effects of physical workload, prevalence of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) high-risk tasks and adherence to AORN guidelines in performing physical tasks with outcomes of musculoskeletal pain, occupational injury, and days of work missed. Methods: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data was performed for this descriptive correlational study. Data includes personal (age, gender, and experience), organizational (hours worked during shift, shifts worked in a row, teamwork), tasks (seven high risk tasks, physical workload, adherence to safety guidelines), and outcome (injury, musculoskeletal pain and days of missed work) variables of interest for ORNs and STs. Results: Overall, 90.6% of ORNs and 89.7% of STs reported pain in at least one area of the body (N = 156). Back pain was highly prevalent for both groups. Adherence to AORN safety guidelines ranged from 49.95 - 64.78% for both groups. The mean physical workload was significantly higher for STs compared to ORNs (p <.001). Additionally, a significant difference was found in STs who were injured related to lifting weight while in the inclined body position. For both ORNs and STs, physical workload was significantly correlated with the frequency of non-adherence to the majority of AORN tasks. Conclusion: ORNs and STs experience high rates of MSD pain affecting their health and organizational workflow. Improved adherence to AORN safety guidelines may lead to decreased rates of MSD pain. Additional research is needed to identify barriers and facilitators for adherence to AORN safety guidelines.