Patient lifting injuries

More than half of nurses and radiology technicians report they suffered job-related chronic back pain or on-the-job injuries resulting from lifting, moving or repositioning patients.

The survey, conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates and released by AFT Healthcare, found that 56 percent of nurses and X-ray techs suffered from lifting-related injuries, chronic back pain or both. Nearly half the nurses and a third of the X-ray techs said they were considering leaving their profession because of injuries or chronic pain.

The study calls for the passage of laws requiring hospitals to buy equipment such as portable hoists to protect workers and patients. Some hospitals have invested in the equipment, but most don’t use it. “Construction workers use cranes, package delivery personnel use dollies, yet most healthcare workers are on their own and getting hurt,” says Candice Owlie, chair of AFT Healthcare. “This is affecting patient care and the profession.”

Human factor of medication errors

Greater than 40 percent of the medication errors that occur in U.S. healthcare facilities are linked to the “human factor,” Mary Bylone, nursing administrator at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona, NJ told Advance for Nurses magazine.

“Issues surrounding lack of knowledge, deviation from policy, miscalculation of dosage or rate, drug preparation error, transcription error, fatigue and computer entry errors are all examples involving the human factor of medication administration,” she said.

“It’s easy to blame these mistakes on equipment, packaging and flawed systems. It’s been hard, on the other hand, to accept that we are at the root of many of the preventable incidents.”

Healthcare facilities are making a greater effort today to eliminate human errors, in an effort to comply with JCAHO regulations and improve patient safety. But Bylone believes nurses and other healthcare professionals must make more of an effort to prevent errors. “The next time you make your way to the bedside with medication to administer, be sure to give it safely – and make sure your human factor is up to date and safe,” she said.