Authors (including presenting author) :
Chu WH, Law CH, Wong KK
Affiliation :
Occupational Therapy Department, United Christian Hospital
Introduction :
Multiple musculoskeletal pain was reported over hand, finger and wrist among the nurses and supporting staff in renal ward. An ergonomic evaluation was conducted with KEC OSH team in 09/2019 and several risk factors were identified in the workplace, involving repeated and forceful turning and pinching actions of hand in operating haemodialysis (HD) machine. A few assistive devices were designed using 3D printing technology to improve the ergonomics.
Objectives :
To evaluate the use of locally designed 3D printed assistive devices as a solution to enhance ergonomics of staff who needed to operate HD machine
Methodology :
The whole project consisted of 7 main steps: 1) understand context of use, 2) specify user requirements, 3) recommend solutions, 4) repeated tests with end users, 5) job site observe frontline candidates’ performance, 6) end users' feedback and 7) final products and usability report
Result & Outcome :
Four drafted devices were created in the form of a digital prototype in a modeling computer software (SolidWorks), which were designed for HD procedures including A) screwing artificial kidney, B) closing bloodline clamp, C) unscrewing HD solution bottle cap & D) smoothening bloodline fluid flow. These digital prototypes showed the basic functionality of the proposed solutions and thus served as a basis for discussion. Printing out the prototypes for actual trial with ongoing evaluations and modifications make the product more user-friendly. Eventually, three devices (tools A-C) were finalized which featured high usability and acceptance, and were put into daily practice, so as to enhance operational efficiency, decrease cumulative trauma and prevent injury.
