Objective To identify and assess the ergonomic risk factors in hemodialysis nursing tasks.
Methods Questionnaire survey, task analysis, and quick exposure check (QEC) were conducted among 35 hemodialysis nurses from a blood purification center.
Results The annual prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in neck, waist, and shoulder were 82.4%, 80.6%, and 77.4%, respectively, and the self-perceived work stress scores were greater than 5 for 22 hemodialysis nurses, accounting for 62.9%. Task analysis indicated poor working posture, standing and walking for a long time were major ergonomic risk factors in their work. The QEC scores varied among three selected tasks: The scores for back and wrist/hand were significantly higher in the task of carrying drugs and equipment than the task of connecting patients and hemodialysis machine and separating hemodialysis machine from patients (P<0.05); as for neck and occupational stress, the scores of the task of carrying drugs and equipment were lower than those of the task of connecting patients and hemodialysis machine and separating hemodialysis machine from patients (P<0.05); for work pace, the score of the task of carrying drugs and equipment was lower than that of the task of separating hemodialysis machine from patients. Participants who reported work stress presented large proportions in “high scores” and “moderately high scores” categories in the three selected tasks.
Conclusion Ergonomic risk factors exist in hemodialysis nursing work, which may affect mental and physical health of nurses. Appropriate measures are required to improve the quality of occupational life of hemodialysis nurses.
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