Spinal-Load Analysis of Patient-Transfer Activities

Abstract

Selected care-activities with patient transfers, which are classified as "definitely being endangering" with respect to the corresponding German occupational disease, were analyzed regarding the corresponding (bio)-mechanical load on the lumbar spine. In a laboratory study, the postural data of a health-care worker were recorded opto-electronically and via video documentation, the nurse's action-forces were captured via force sensors at a specifically modified bed, chair, or floor. The analyses of about 100 transfers show that patient transfers result in intensive lumbar load, which may exceed lumbar-load limits recommended for work design. Application of optimized transfer techniques resulted in diminished biornechanical load for the low-back.