Lifting patients in bed with and without a drawsheet: a comparative ergonomics study

Two techniques for lifting a patient in bed, namely with and without the use of a drawsheet, have been compared from an ergonomics point of view. Forty-two nurses of a Thai university hospital were studied before and after using each method by measuring back strengths and by using a questionnaire for feelings of fatigue and for musculoskeletal fatigue and pain. Decreases in back strength 10 minutes after and immediately after lifting with each method were found to be significant (90% confidence). The decrease 10 minutes after lifting was found to be significantly smaller with a drawsheet than without one (98% confidence). Immediately after lifting there was less difference between the two methods, which indicates that the use of a drawsheet reduced the recovery time and the decrease in back strength. Increases in feelings of fatigue from lifting with each method were also found to be significant (90% confidence), and the results indicate that the increase was lower with a drawsheet than without one. Musculoskeletal fatigue and pain immediately after lifting were more common without a drawsheet than with one. In conclusion, the lifting technique with a drawsheet is ergonomically superior and should be used by nursing personnel.