Prevention of Work-related Musculoskeletal Injuries in Rehabilitation Nursing.

PURPOSE: Work-related musculoskeletal injuries remain a concern for the nursing profession. The purpose of this study was to reduce work-related musculoskeletal nursing injuries by 10% on the rehabilitation unit in a Midwestern hospital.

DESIGN: Using a quality improvement and evidence-based practice lens, one group time-series design was employed.

METHODS: Shift reports, interdisciplinary collaboration, self-study educational packets, and journal club sessions were implemented.

FINDINGS: Results, although not statistically significant, indicated over a 50% reduction in work-related musculoskeletal nursing injuries. Self-engagement and the Hawthorne effect are thought to have contributed to this decline in injury rates.

CONCLUSIONS: A cost-benefit analysis indicates an estimated savings of $90,000 over 4 months. A yearly practice-based education program and improvement in electronic health records is advocated to sustain this decrease in nursing injury rates.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Context-specific interventions, communication, algorithm approach to patient transfers, and research knowledge are needed to decrease rehabilitation work-related musculoskeletal nursing injuries.