Effectiveness of powered hospital bed movers for reducing physiological strain and back muscle activation
Daniell, Nathan, Merrett, Simon, and Paul, Gunther (2014) Effectiveness of powered hospital bed movers for reducing physiological strain and back muscle activation. Applied Ergonomics, 45 (4). pp. 849-856.
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Abstract
Battery powered bed movers are becoming increasingly common within the hospital setting. The use of powered bed movers is believed to result in reduced physical efforts required by health care workers, which may be associated with a decreased risk of occupation related injuries. However, little work has been conducted assessing how powered bed movers impact on levels of physiological strain and muscle activation for the user. The muscular efforts associated with moving hospital beds using three different methods; manual pushing, StaminaLift Bed Mover (SBM) and Gzunda Bed Mover (GBM)were measured on six male subjects. Fourteen muscles were assessed moving a weighted hospital bed along a standardized route in an Australian hospital environment. Trunk inclination and upper spine acceleration were also quantified. Powered bed movers exhibited significantly lower muscle activation levels than manual pushing for the majority of muscles. When using the SBM, users adopted a more upright posture which was maintained while performing different tasks (e.g. turning a corner, entering a lift), while trunk inclination varied considerably for manual pushing and the GBM. The reduction in lower back muscular activation levels and the load reducing effect of a more upright posture may result in lower incidence of lower back injury.
Item ID: | 48193 |
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Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
ISSN: | 1872-9126 |
Keywords: | hospital bed mover, occupational injury, muscle strain |
Date Deposited: | 04 Jul 2017 04:01 |
FoR Codes: | 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111705 Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety @ 100% |
SEO Codes: | 92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920504 Occupational Health @ 100% |
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