Risk of work-related musculoskeletal injuries in nurses of an integrated continuous care team

Abstract

From the tasks intrinsic to the exercise of the nurse's activity in an integrated continuous care team, and from the unpredictable and tight environments in which it is performed, constraints emerge that will expose them to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal injuries. In order to understand these risks and propose measures for minimize and control, to a set of team professionals was proposed to participate in a case study on labor fatigue and musculoskeletal symptoms. A self-administered survey was used and the REBA method was applied to three basic postures adopted by these professionals. The results revealed the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms at the level of the neck, shoulder, lumbar and wrist/hand, associated with risk factors such as postures, fatigue, predominantly physical. The professionals had an average age of 43.8 years, an average BMI of 25.9 and an average a/c index of 0.9. Measures were put in place to relieve loads, to alternate tasks, a work gymnastics program and incentives for active rest were developed.