Some
have bought into ergonomics plans already 
by
Todd Shields
Above the raucous congressional din of funding or striking down an ergonomics
standard, hospital occupational safety directors are urging material
managers to prepare for the rule, which was scheduled to go into effect
Jan. 16. 
Above all, hospital occupational safety spokesmen said healthcare providers
should not heed the "ergo-hysteria" they said has been expressed by
the cost-fearing business community. At least three business groups
have filed lawsuits aimed at halting the new rules.
Most ergonomic changes are relatively inexpensive, said ergonomic authorities,
noting changes also don't have to be implemented all at once.
A number of hospitals have had worker injury-prevention programs in
place since the mid- to late 1980s, beginning with multidisciplinary
teams that studied high-risk elements of jobs as well as employee performance
and revenue losses due to musculoskeletal disorders. Speaking from experience,
these worker safety spokesmen said - in contrast to many employer and
business groups - uncomplicated, low-cost programs are possible if a
series of actions is followed and has the support of decision-making
administrators.
Gary Mackey, director of occupational injury management at University
of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care, Worcester, said material managers
are essential parts of ergonomics review committees since the standard
largely requires using strain- reducing equipment.
"This
is a shift from past practice, but material managers should explore
equipment options and vendors who sell ergonomically designed products,"
Mackey said.
Yet, he cautioned material managers about "championing" the purchase
of such equipment because injuries are typically reported to worker
safety departments; therefore, the effort for safer products should
begin in those departments responsible for protecting employees.
"But
still, it would be wise for purchasing departments to become familiar
with managers and their employees' complaints about certain equipment.
After all, they are the end-users," Mackey said.
Evaluating cost
As committee members, material managers also should initiate cost-benefit
analysis of ergonomic gear, hoping to convince administrators that,
for instance, a low-friction patient transfer sliding sheet for $100
is far less costly than a $3,500 mechanical lift.
In addition, most equipment that healthcare workers use daily - desk
chairs, computer keyboards, telephone receivers, cabinets - can be replaced
or ergonomically modified for less than $400 per workstation, Mackey
said. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration put
the figure at $250 for each station.
This month, the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital in Tampa,
FL, will publish a source guide listing 12 categories of occupationally
safe products and how VA hospitals can contact specialized vendors.
"Over
a period of years, we will continue to calculate and test equipment
most suited for patient populations and their caregivers. We started
this project before the standard was approved [in November 2000] to
help make purchasing decisions," said the guidebook's co-author, John
Lloyd, director of biomechanics at the hospital.
While most hospital departments can satisfy the new standard by simply
modifying patient care and employee equipment, medical laboratory gear
is more difficult to change due to its highly specialized design and
function.
"Most
lab equipment is not ergonomically designed, and so it's beyond our
control. You can't go out and just buy it at an office store," said
Jim Garb, director of occupational health and safety for Bay State Health
System, Springfield, MA.
Garb suggested setting up a mock workstation on hospital premises so
employees can demonstrate for vendors what furniture and computer configurations
are most comfortable.
Lean,
please
When forming ergonomic committees, Guy Fragala, director of environmental
health and safety at University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester,
cautioned that recruiting too many members could render its focus unwieldy.
"The
committee is not there to cure world hunger, and it doesn't have to
be perfect all at once. Doing so will dilute efforts," he said.
Other work injury authorities said the team should include an occupational
safety consultant with expertise in ergonomics, an occupational therapist,
a facility safety officer and directors from a variety of departments.
HPN
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