Huge number of workplace injuries for nurses

On Behalf of | Nov 29, 2013 | Workplace Injuries

For nurses and clinicians in Pennsylvania and nationwide, the workplace is clearly a very dangerous place. Overall, around 35 percent of them have suffered work-related injuries at least once, with some of them suffering them more often. What are the majority of these injuries from? Apparently, the weight lifted in transferring a patient, such as from their bed to a chair, etc. can cause back or neck injuries.

The impact of these common injuries can cause some of them to miss work for varying periods of time. In a survey of nurses and clinicians, a full 24 percent of them, almost one in four, reported that a workplace injury caused them to have to change their movements or activities in the workplace for a minimum of one shift or longer.

About ten percent of those surveyed stated that at least one time in their work experience, a patient had also gotten accidentally injured. Many, again close to one in four, suggested that health care workplaces, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, should modernize their furniture and equipment or rearrange their workspaces to try to reduce employee and patient injuries.

Lighter carts on which to transport medical equipment and specially designed patient recliner chairs could be helpful in that regard. Those who responded to the survey included occupational therapists, physical therapists, nursing managers, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses, all of whom had been involved in patient care activities for a minimum of twelve months.

Health care employees are protected against workplace injuries by workers’ compensation which pays for the medical expenses for work-related injuries or illnesses, as well as lost wages and compensation for any lasting injury or disability. Injured health care workers should consult with an attorney to make sure that their workers’ comp claim is presented in a proper and timely manner and that they receive all the benefits that they are entitled to after working so hard to provide quality care to sick and injured patients.

Source: 
The Gazette, “Survey: Nurses, clinicians prone to work injuries” Chelsea Keenan, Nov. 20, 2013

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