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Participatory Ergonomics Intervention in Acute Care Hospitals: A Pilot Study
Lilah Rinsky-Halivni1, Sara Peleg-Shani, Deborah Alperovitch-Najenson
1From the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA (L.R.-H.); Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel (L.R.-H.); Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital, Tel-Aviv, Israel (S.P.-S.);Department of Physical Therapy, Zefat Academic College, Zefat, Israel. (D.A.-N.); and Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel (D.A.-N.).
Objective:
The aim of the study was to evaluate a short-term participatory ergonomics intervention using behavioral models to enhance patient lift usage in geriatric units within an acute care hospital.
Methods:
This prospective intervention involved 90 nursing staff in geriatric (intervention) and internal medicine wards (control), guided by protection motivation theory, incorporating staff training, focus groups, and managerial support to address perceived severity, response efficacy, self-efficacy, and barriers. Lift usage logs and questionnaires assessed musculoskeletal complaints, perceptions, and lift usage frequency.
Results:
Lift usage increased (2-76 per month) in the intervention group, while the control remained stable (19-20 per month). The intervention group showed a positive change in staff perceptions. Perceived barriers, lift availability, and perception shifts predicted increased usage, while longer tenure correlated with lower adoption.
Conclusions:
Behavioral strategies and organizational commitment can increase patient lift utilization.
