Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong WM (1), Tsang WY (1), Chung SK (1), Chan DC (2), Wong KK (3), Chu WH (3), Law CH (3)
Affiliation :
Renal Unit, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics(1), Occupational Safety and Health Department(2), Occupational Therapy Department(3), United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong, China
Introduction :
The important concept of occupational safety and health (OSH) has been widely addressed by healthcare professions. The major OSH issue facing by haemodialysis (HD) health care staff was needle-stick injury which was mentioned in numerous studies in recent years. However, there was less to mention another essential OSH issue related to repetitive strain injuries to HD health care staff. It was found that an increasing trend of repetitive strain injuries to the hands or wrist of the HD health care staff while setting up and dismantling of blood line circuit in HD machines in a local HD center in Hong Kong.
Objectives :
1.To identify the causes of health care staffs’ potential risks associated with repetitive strain injuries. 2.To seek mitigation in reduction the risk of repetitive strain injuries to safeguard the health care personnel.
Methodology :
A survey which was included nurses and health care assistants was conducted in the HD centre to explore the prevalence and impact of repetitive strain injuries to their hands or wrist. Interdisciplinary approach was adopted with the collaboration among Occupation Safety Health (OSH) Department, Occupational Therapy (OT) Department and HD center to assess the staffs’ potential risks associated with repetitive strain injuries. Also, OT department tailor-made the “Dialysis screwing and clamping devices” by 3D printing to reduce the repetitive strain injuries while setting up and dismantling of blood line circuit in HD machines for pilot trial. The rating of Numeric Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11) pain score was compared for pre and post pilot trial for three months.
Result & Outcome :
Total 31 staffs were recruited in the survey. It was found that there were 26 of 31 (83.9%) of the respondents reported with hands or wrist pain which was related to setting up and dismantling of blood line circuit. There were five high risk tasks identified which might lead to HD health care staff with hands or wrist pain. The five tasks were mostly related to the repetitive “screwing” and “clamping” of the bloodlines and dialyzers. The preliminary feedback was positive towards the “Renal Assistance Tools” -- Dialysis screwing and clamping devices. All of the staff claimed the devices could help to alleviate the symptoms of the strains to their hands or wrist. The mean of NRS-11 was dropped from 8.5 to 3.4 with p value < 0.1. The collaboration of inter-disciplinary proactive approach minimizes the risk of repetitive strain injuries in HD health care staff. Further enhancement program will be continued to monitor and address the OSH issues.
