1. NURSE RELATED WORK
INJURIES
By: Taylor Jarvis and
Laura Lovett

2. Nurse related injuries are very commonly
seen. The nursing profession suffers the
number two position for number of nonfatal
work-related injuries in the United States

3.  Nursing experiences the most injuries
related to musculoskeletal disorders
(professional safeguard resources 2013).
These musculoskeletal injuries affect the
back, shoulders, knees, wrists, neck, and
ankles.
 Other injuries may affect the skin,
particularly of the hands and fingers
 In addition another area injuries may affect
is the psychological system

4. Musculoskeletal injuries include areas of the
back, shoulders, necks, and wrists.
These injuries can be due to either patient
handling, such as lifting and transferring
patients or due to repetitive movements, such
as making beds, bringing items to patients
and pushing patients in trolley or wheelchairs.

7. MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
 The average cost for patient handling injuries is
$6,710 per injury, and average days lost from work
is 25 days
 Average cost for repetitive movement injuries is
$4,013 per injury, and average days lost from work
is 16 days

9. WAYS TO PREVENT…
-Pt handling Injuries:
• Mechanical lifting aids
• Assistance from another staff member
• “No lift” policies
• Job rotation
• Follow weight lifting limits: Males 51lbs, females 46lbs

11. WAYS TO PREVENT…
Repetitive movement injuries:
 Ensure trolleys and wheelchairs are well-
maintained
 Obtain assistance from other staff
 Select correct wheel designs for floor type

13. Another area affected to work related
injuries for nurses are from falls or slips
usually effecting the knees and ankles,
caused by
Poor ground surfaces such as
Wet floors
Tripping over objects on the floor
Assisting clients to and from bathrooms

15. FALLS AND SLIPS
Average cost for each injury: $5,420
Average days lost from work: 21 days

17. WAYS TO PREVENT..
 Falling and Slipping:
 Ensure spillages are immediately mopped up
 Use Caution signs
 Ensure good housekeeping so that walkways are
clear of obstacles
 Use a lifter in wet areas

19.  Another area affected from work related
injuries for nursing are from needle
sticks/punctures, usually involving the
hands and fingers, these can occur when:
 Administering injections
 Cleaning sharp instruments

21. NEEDLE STICKS AND PUNCTURES
 Average cost per injury: $362
 Average days lost from work: 1 day

23. WAYS TO PREVENT..
 Needle Sticks and punctures
 Adhere to protocols for administering injections
 Use syringes with retractable needles
 Machine controlled instrument cleaning

24.  The last area that is affected from work
related injuries for nurses, that is
overlooked a lot is Psychological/mental
such as anxiety, depression, and work-
related stress caused by occupational
stressors and pressures

26. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS FOR
PSYCHOLOGICAL/MENTAL INJURIES
 Lengthy shifts
 Fatigue due to standing for long periods
 Increased work demand due to inadequate staffing
 Increased patient loads due to increased life spans
 Inadequate enforcement of weight handling procedures
 Lack of education on use of biomechanics during lifting,
moving, supporting, turning, and transporting patients

28. WAYS TO PREVENT..
Psychological/Mental injuries
 Finding relaxing techniques to help manage
stressors, this can be done by:
 enhancing organization
 asking for assistance when needed
 answering to their own needs when necessary

30. FUN FACTS
 Researchers found that almost 20 percent of the nurses
questioned had symptoms of depression, an incidence
twice as high as for the general population.
 “the risks of a patient fall or medication mistake
increased significantly- by about 20 percent- the more a
nurse was in pain or depressed” (2013)

31. By: Laura Lovett and Taylor Jarvis

32. REFERENCE PAGE