leslie pickett, pt ergonomics and injury prevention specialist swedish medical center
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Washington State Governor’s Industrial Safety & Health Conference Health Care Panel October 8, 2009. Ergonomics in the Healthcare Setting. Leslie Pickett, PT Ergonomics and Injury Prevention Specialist Swedish Medical Center Seattle, Washington. Electronic Medical Records (EMR):. Pros:. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Leslie Pickett, PT
Ergonomics and Injury Prevention Specialist
Swedish Medical Center
Seattle, Washington
Washington State Governor’s Industrial Safety & Health Conference
Health Care PanelOctober 8, 2009
Ergonomics in the Healthcare Setting
Electronic Medical Records (EMR):
Pros: Cons:
• Time consuming / learning curb
• Equipment installation challenges
• Adequate number of available computers
• Hygiene• Training• ERGONOMICS!
Paperless system: save time hunting for charts
Quick access to medical records, lab results, imaging
Productivity / efficiency for staff
Decreased medical errors
Improved Outcomes
Increased Patient Satisfaction
EMR: Reasons for dissatisfaction
Poor Ergonomics
• Ergonomics in hospital setting is mostly based on single user “office set up” ergonomics.
• 24 / 7 user sites with need for adaptability
Poor Ergonomics
Five Rights of Computer Ergonomics
1. Right number of computers
2. Right location of computer
3. Right height adjustments
4. Right size monitor
5. Right resolution
Right Number of Computers
• No research to provide guidelines
• 1 fixed in every room vs. mobile?
Right Location of Computer
• Nursing stations only vs. in room only???
RN’s carrying around scrapes of paper with notes
Time lag in entering information
Physicians hunting down RN’s (instead of charts) to find info.
Right Monitor Size
• Eye changes starting in the 40’s.
• Larger monitors help decrease eye strain and fatigue.
• Decrease need to scroll down
• Research shows increase in productivity with larger monitor.
Right Computer Resolution
The higher the resolution the smaller the text
WOW – COW - COS
• Mobile computing : > 20 manufacturers now vs. 3 15 years ago.
WOW – COW - COS
Problems:
Heavy to push Small screen size Cumbersome design (can’t get into a room) Epidemiology problems Can’t sit ergonomically Cost
WOW – COW - COS
Solutions
Smaller footprint Height adjustable surface = 99% of employees for
both sit and stand Battery Meter 20” monitors Dispensing Systems (i.e. Pixis) integrated Reliable hardware and power charge
Medication Dispensing System Challenges
WOW – COW - COS
• All stake holders should have a voice• Explore types of carts that meet your needs• Laptop vs. regular cart• Hand held tablets that also mount on carts
COW – WOW – COS Ergonomics
• Should fit at least 5th – 95th percentile
• Keyboard– Standing height: 36-46”– Sitting height: 21-28”
• Screen height (from top):– Standing height: 48-60”– Sitting height: 40-53”
Cornell University Cart Evaluation Form
• http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/cutools.html
Patient Room or Wall Mounted Computers
Challenges
– Space – Positioning / Adjustability– Power and cables– Hygiene– Hardware Costs
Wall Mounted Challenges
Wall Mounted Challenges
Wall Mounted Challenges
Wall Mounted Guidelines
50” track (best for sit / stand option)
Keyboard: 28” mount from floor (28-39” range)
34” track (primarily for standing)
Keyboard: 36” from floor (36-47” range)
Medium height task stool must be used with 34” track.
Other areas of concern in the Healthcare System
• Imaging: PACS – Picture Archiving and Communications Systems
• EICU
• Surgery monitors for closed surgeries
Employees are a hospital’s most valuable asset!
Investment in good ergonomics keeps staff healthy and productive and facilitates good patient care!