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A novel limb-support system to reduce postural load in theaters
M MacKenzie1, B Richardson, R Kidd
1Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust.
The British Journal of Theatre Nursing : Natnews : the Official Journal of the National Association of Theatre Nurses
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Theatre nurses experience physical strain supporting patient limbs, leading to pain. A new electrically braked limb support system was developed to alleviate this burden on nurses.
Area of Science:
- Medical Engineering
- Surgical Nursing Support
Background:
- Operating room nurses frequently endure physical stress while positioning and supporting patients' limbs during surgical preparation.
- This sustained physical exertion places theatre nurses at a high risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders, particularly back and upper limb pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce an innovative, electrically braked limb support system designed to mitigate the physical strain experienced by theatre nurses.
- To reduce the incidence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries among surgical nursing staff.
Main Methods:
- Development of an electrically braked limb support system by The Victoria Infirmary in collaboration with the West of Scotland Department of Clinical Physics and Bio-Engineering.
- The system is engineered to bear the weight of patients' limbs, thereby reducing the physical load on nursing personnel.
Main Results:
- The developed system effectively transfers the weight of patients' limbs away from the nurses.
- Potential for significant reduction in physical stress and associated pain for theatre staff.
Conclusions:
- The electrically braked limb support system offers a viable solution to reduce physical strain on theatre nurses.
- This innovation has the potential to improve the working conditions and long-term health of surgical nursing professionals.