Evaluation of an intervention comprising a No Lifting Policy in Australian hospitals

Abstract

The No Lifting Policy has been adopted in Australia to prevent back pain and injuries among nurses. The present study focuses on the intervention of the "No Lift System" (NLS). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the use of transfer equipment, number of injuries, pain/symptoms and absence from work among nurses after the intervention of the NLS (n=201), and compare to nurses at two control hospitals (n=256). A comprehensive questionnaire was used for data collection. The results show that at the hospital where the NLS had been introduced, the nurses used the purchased transfer equipment regularly. They had significantly fewer back injuries, less pain/symptoms and less absence from work due to musculoskeletal pain/symptoms compared with nurses at the control hospitals. The study showed strong evidence for supporting the implementation of the NLS. The positive results shown in the present study can probably be explained by the agreement between the management, the union and the nurses concerning the implementation of the NLS, as well as its comprehensive approach and participatory design.