ERGONOMICSWORK STATION SAFETY AND YOU

The use of Clinical Information Systems (CIS) in the hospital setting

has become more pervasive. The federal government’s recent

initiative to increase adoption of the electronic health record (EHR)

will only lead to increased adoption of a CIS in hospitals. Computers

and technology vary from acute care organization to organization in

terms of the extent of system automation and workflow. The EHR

implementation and expansion will continue to evolve in the coming

years, ergonomics needs to play a vital role with its growth and

considerations for the future pictures. (Elkind, Finley &

Narloch,2008)

NURSING AND TECHNOLOGY

“The scientific study of work space, including details that affect productivity and worker health” .

ERGONOMICS

MONITOR RELATED PROBLEMS

◦ Eyestrain

◦ Awkward posture and positioning

◦ Eye fatigue and dryness

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM IMPROPER

COMPUTER USAGE

1. Monitor placed to high

CHAIR, DESK AND KEYBOARD RELATED PROBLEMS

◦ Awkward posture related to limited space on work surface

◦ Generalized fatigue and circulation restrictions

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMPUTER USAGE CONT.

2. Clutter under work top limits space for chair and leg positioning

CHAIR, DESK AND KEYBOARD RELATED PROBLEMS

◦ Shoulder back and neck pain from sitting too far away from computer components

◦ Contact Stress

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMPUTER USAGE CONT.

4.Contact stress from the table edge

3. Limited space at desk

CHAIR, DESK AND KEYBOARD RELATED PROBLEMS cont.

◦ Awkward postures

◦ Restriction of blood flow to legs

◦ Excess pressure on buttock

◦ Excess pressure on knee

◦ back pain

◦ Fatigue and numbness related to:- Inadequate back rest size, positioning and use of chair Inappropriately sized seat pan

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMPUTER USAGE CONT.

Ensure light around monitor is same brightness as with monitor

Take regular breaks from seating – get up and walk

Eye exercises◦ Palming Exercise

10 SOLUTIONS FOR PREVENTING WORK RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS

5. Palming Exercise

Eye exercises cont.◦ Refocussing exercises

Perform micro-break stretches◦ Shoulder shrugs◦ Neck stretch◦ Mid-back stretch

Stand while talking on phone Use head phones when speaking

10 SOLUTIONS FOR PREVENTING WORK RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS

Ensure chair have adjustable back rest

Use foot rest a when at desk

If using laptop computer◦ Use a docking station a work◦ Sit on a pillow for additional comfort◦ Use a notebook wristrest

10 SOLUTIONS FOR PREVENTING WORK RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS

NEUTRAL POSITIONING - This is a comfortable working posture in which your joints are naturally aligned.

◦ Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and

roughly parallel to the floor.

◦ Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang normally at

the side of the body.

10 SOLUTIONS FOR PREVENTING WORK RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS

◦ Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between

90 and 120 degrees.

◦ Back is fully supported with appropriate lumbar support

when sitting vertical or leaning back slightly.

◦ Knees are about the same height as the hips with the

feet slightly forward.

◦ Head is level, or bent slightly forward,

forward facing, and balanced. Generally it

is in-line with the torso.

NEUTRAL POSITIONING

TIPS FOR POSITIONING WORKSTATION

5. Diagram illustrating ideal placement of light sources relative to computer workstations

Lighting tips:-

◦ Use the contrast settings on your computer monitor to adjust the brightness of the screen.

◦ Move the monitor away from direct sources of light.

◦ Do not place the monitor screen directly facing a window.

◦ Use window coverings to control the amount of light that enters the room.

◦ Use task lighting for illuminating documents instead of bright overhead lighting.

TIPS FOR POSITIONING WORKSTATION