Use of evidence for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal injuries

Work-related injuries among nurses are a complex and costly problem. To thoughtfully approach this issue, one medical center developed a set of injury-reduction strategies and related tools based on a review of research literature and locally obtained evidence. This article describes the evidence-based approach to prevention of work-related musculoskeletal injuries. It also covers research-based observations about prevention strategies; provides a description of selected interventions, such as a patient handling guide; and includes sample tools that enable collection of meaningful data about local patient handling practices.