Ergonomic Evaluation
The aim of the following study was to conduct an ergonomic evaluation to identify contributing factors in the development of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in Ultrasound Sonographers involved in Obstetric and Gynecological scanning. The methodology involved a cross-sectional study of Sonographers in one hospital. The methodology included the use of the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) to identify the exposure to postural risk, static muscle work and repetition, and the use of an adapted Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to evaluate the frequency and distribution of musculoskeletal problems,. Fourteen participants were assessed in the workplace. The RULA analysis identified that the task element with the highest risk factor within this sample was scanning patients; it was found that the participant spent between 31% and 39% of their working time doing this in a 26-hour week. The results from the questionnaire found that 64% had experiences one or more combined physical problems over the previous 12 months, with the shoulder joint (57%), cervical spine (50%) and wrist and hands (50%) identified as the most frequently reported problems. The study highlights the prevalence of self-reported symptoms among Sonographers and the postural constraints individuals have to adopt while working. Suggestions are proposed to reduce the risks via adjustable work equipment, education in using adjustable equipment, work organization changes and the use of arm supports.
Introduction
Diagnostic ultrasound (DU) was first introduced to the medical world in 1942 by Austrian Physician Dr. Karl Dussik (Levi, 2007). It was initially used to detect gall stones in 1950 by Ludwig and Stutler, but was developed for use in gynecology where there was a profound need to develop safer imaging techniques (Levi, 2007). DU was first used in the applied setting in 1958 by Professor Ian Donald from Glasgow who used ultrasound to examine gynecological patients for pelvic lesions (Levi, 2007). It was used on a more regular basis within the clinical environment during the 1960's gaining recognition by the American Medical Association in 1974 (Vanderpool, 1993).
In modern day medicine, the use of ultrasound, in both gynecology and obstetrics has become a normal part of the diagnostic and fetal assessment process. However, the increased use of ultrasound equipment has been identified as a source of workplace pain and discomfort in Sonographers. Craig (2005), surveyed 100 sonographers with 5-20 years experience. The results showed that that majority of respondents had experienced symptoms of musculoskeletal problems including wrist and shoulder problems. The study however, did not document exact figures concerning work related problems nor did it give details pertaining to the methodology or response rate of the study.
A study by Vanderpool (1993), surveyed 225 Cardiac Sonographers. A 47% response rate was achieved with 72% of respondents female. Results found that 63% of respondents had experienced wrist problems during their career and 3% had been diagnosed specifically with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Wihlidal and Kumar (2008), surveyed 156 Sonographers in a postal survey in Alberta. A 61.5% (N=96) response rate was achieved and 88.5% of respondents reported work related symptoms either historically or ongoing. Clusters of symptoms included neck and intrascapular pain (54%), shoulder or upper arm pain (53%), low back pain (37.5%) and elbow pain (23.5%). Respondents were asked about absence from work and 16% reported that they had been forced to take absence due to symptoms (Wihlidal and Kumar, 2008).
In comparison with others involved radiography work, May et al. (1994) surveyed breast screening radiographers in a UK national survey of 800 participants. There were 320 respondents to the survey. This study used two control groups including clerical staff (N=400) and general radiographers not involved in screening (N=400). Preliminary results found that those involved in general radiography reported most muscular complaints (94.4%), 76% of those involved in breast screening reported pain and 70% of clerical staff reported muscular discomfort. Although only descriptive data is reported in the study, it highlights the level of complaints within general and breast screening radiography.
Habes and Baron (2000) presented a case study of ergonomic evaluation of ultrasound testing. The study highlighted the postural extremes sonographers had to adopt while using ultrasound equipment, the static loading from holding the scan heads and the biomechanical loading on the sonographers. Several recommendations from this study included the use of adjustable chairs including sit/stand seats and beds, the provision of elbow support, customizing one room for specific scanning types and a secondary monitor in the line of sight of the sonographers.
The results of the previous studies suggest that the use of ultrasonography equipment is accompanied by physical musculoskeletal problems. The following study was carried out after an initial ergonomics evaluation of the work carried out in the radiography department of a hospital. The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort, to identify postural risk factors when carrying out scanning tasks and to evaluate the workplace and equipment design.
Methodology
The participants in the...
The relevant topics include mental workload, cognition, decision-making, skilled performance, human-computer interaction, human reliability, work stress, training, cultural differences, attitudes, pleasure and motivation. Organisational ergonomics: Concerned with the optimisation of socio-technical systems, including their organisational structures, policies, and processes. The relevant topics include communication, staff resource management, work design, design of working times, teamwork, participatory design, community ergonomics, co-operative work, new work paradigms, organisational culture, virtual organisations and quality management.
drivers endure a multitude of work-related health issues due to the nature of their work. They drive consistently long hours. They must be weary of potential accidents, and do not receive high pay. This can lead to a higher than normal employee turnover rates, which lends to a lower quality of service for customers. Researchers have aimed at aimed at identifying what specific work-related health problems plague bus drivers. Research
drivers endure a multitude of work-related health issues due to the nature of their work. They drive consistently long hours. They must be weary of potential accidents, and do not receive high pay. This can lead to a higher than normal employee turnover rates, which lends to a lower quality of service for customers. Researchers have aimed at identifying what specific work-related health problems plague bus drivers. Research shows bus
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