Can the Use of Turn-Assist Surfaces Reduce the Physical Burden on Caregivers When Performing Patient Turning?

Objective: To quantify differences in physical workload afforded by turn-assist surfaces relative to manual patient turns, and between nursing caregivers (turn-away vs. turn-toward) while performing partnered patient turning. Background: Nurse caregivers experience an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries at the back or shoulders when performing patient-handling activities. Use of turn-assist surfaces can reduce the physical burden and risk on caregivers. Method: Whole-body motion capture and hand force measures were collected from 25 caregivers (17 female) while performing partnered manual and technology-facilitated turns. Shoulder and low back angles and L4/L5 joint contact forces were calculated at the instant of peak hand force application for both caregivers. Results: Hand force requirements for the turn-away caregiver were 93% of the estimated maximum acceptable force when performing a manual turn. Use of a turn-assist surface eliminated hand forces required to initiate the patient turn for the turn-away caregiver, where their role was reduced to inserting appropriate wedging behind the patient once the facilitated turn was complete. This reduced shoulder moments by 21.3 Nm for the turn-away caregiver, a reduction in exposure from 70% of maximum shoulder strength capacity to 15%. Spine compression exposures were reduced by 302.1 N for the turn-toward caregiver when using a turn-assist surface. Conclusion: Use of a turn-assist surface reduced peak hand force and shoulder-related exposures for turning away and reduced spine-related exposures for turning toward. Application: Turn-assist devices should be recommended to decrease the risk of musculoskeletal disorder hazards for both caregivers when performing a partnered patient turn.