Reducing Risk of Musculoskeletal Injury in Occupational Therapy Practitioners: Forces Involved in Lateral Patient Transfers Using Various Transfer Devices

PURPOSE: Because of the relatively high rate of musculoskeletal injury among occupational therapy practitioners, it is vital to their longevity in practice to choose safe methods of handling patients. Occupational therapy practitioners are frequently called on to transfer patients who are not capable of doing so independently. One method to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury when performing patient handling tasks is to choose friction-reducing materials to reduce the amount of stress placed on the practitioner’s body. This study investigated the effects of three types of transfer devices on hand forces while performing a lateral bed-to-plinth transfer: a SallyTube Single Patient Use Slide Tube (Tollos, Owings Mills, MD), a Smooth Mover lateral transfer board (Radiation Products Design, Albertville, MN), and a standard cotton sheet.

METHOD: This study was a repeated measures experimental design with a focus on device type. Participants were recruited by word of mouth and included 35 people aged 18–51, both men and women. Weight ranged from 49.9 to 118.8 kg, with an average weight of 75.1 kg. Hand forces were recorded for data analysis during the task of a lateral bed-to-plinth transfer via handheld force gauges (Futek MTA 400 triaxial load cells, Irvine, CA) at a rate of 200 Hz. A repeated measures analysis of variance with three levels to the repeated factor (device type) was used, along with post hoc repeated measures contrasts to compare differences between each condition.

RESULTS: The results showed a significant reduction in required force when using the friction-reducing devices compared with the cotton sheet when used according to manufacturer recommendations. Although the Smooth Mover transfer board did significantly reduce the amount of force generated with the transfer, there was an even greater reduction with the SallyTube device. The average peak force when the cotton sheet was used was 32.0 kg, whereas the Smooth Mover lateral transfer board required 25.2 kg and the SallyTube only 18.7 kg.

CONCLUSION: This study shows the importance of choosing to use friction-reducing slide sheets when engaging in patient handling tasks. The reductions in forces exerted on the body exhibited in this study are important in keeping practitioners safe. When practitioners choose these devices, they can better protect their body and their career.

IMPACT STATEMENT: This research informs best practice for manual patient handling. Safe patient handling is essential for the longevity of occupational therapy practitioners in the profession and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. As practitioners use safe patient handling, the professional issue of musculoskeletal injuries will be reduced.

References

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