Healthcare providers, especially nurses, make an invaluable contribution to the care of patients. Their responsibilities often include physically demanding tasks such as transferring, repositioning or lifting patients. These actions are essential for the safety and comfort of patients who may be unable to move independently.
Unfortunately, completing these tasks can pose a significant risk to the health and well-being of nurses. Back injuries are among the most common workplace injuries that nurses can sustain when they repetitively complete these tasks. The injuries often result in chronic pain, lost workdays and even career-ending disabilities.
Why nurses are at risk
People who haven’t interacted with nurses may not realize how physically intensive their profession is. In fact, research has revealed that nursing is among the occupations most at risk for musculoskeletal injuries. Many nurses complain about back pain, which is heightened due to frequently lifting, transferring and repositioning patients. Patients often weigh significantly more than what is considered a safe lifting limit.
The awkward postures nurses have to be in when lifting and repositioning patients increases the risk of back injuries. Lifting or repositioning patients often requires:
- Bending
- Twisting
- Reaching in non-ergonomic ways
Furthermore, nurses have to perform repeated movements over long shifts, which can exacerbate physical stress. Due to fatigue, nurses may use poor technique, further elevating their injury risks.
Moreover, unlike lifting inanimate objects, patients can shift unexpectedly, causing sudden and uneven weight distribution. These unpredictable situations can cause nurses injuries, even when they’re using the right techniques to assist a patient.
Nurses who sustain back injuries due to the repetitive and physically demanding tasks of their profession should consider pursuing workers’ compensation. Dedicated legal representation can help ensure that injured nurses receive sufficient funds for ongoing treatment.
