Postgraduate Certificate in Moving and Handling at AUT

Health and Rehabilitation Research Centre Auckland University of Technology

New Zealand

Fiona Trevelyan fiona.trevelyan@aut.ac.nz

Moving and handling (M&H)

! The cost of occupational injury related to patient handling are high in the healthcare sector (Lipscomb et al, 2012)

! Musculoskeletal injuries (MSDs) especially back and

shoulder injuries are a major problem in all settings of patient care (Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2009)

! Nursing aids had the highest incidence and third highest number of MSDs among all occupations in 2007 (BLS, 2007)

Workplace injury claims in New Zealand

! 4,800 new workplace claims for back injuries in 1 year (July 2009 – June 2010) n  Of these, 301 claims were in the health sector with new claim

costs of $6.5 million

! 28% increase in injury claim costs in the Residential Care Sector between 2004 and 2009

ACC Claims Data, June 2010

! Of long-term claims in residential care employees (2007-2009): n  63% for injuries to low back/shoulders; 26% upper/lower

limb n  50% due to client handling, 16% during equipment handling,

4% using equipment and 17% for slips/falls

Injury prevention strategy (NZ)

! NZ Injury Prevention Strategy (2003) n  Provides the framework for injury prevention n  Focus on 6 areas (incl. workplace injury) as make up 80% of injury

death and serious injuries

! Moving and Handling People Guidelines (2012)

! WorkSafe NZ: reform of the NZ workplace H&S system (December 2013)

! NZ Workplace Health and Safety Strategy (2005) Prioritises 8 areas; which include manual handling, psychosocial factors and slips/trips and falls

! Discomfort, Pain and Injury Programme (DPI)(2007) ACC’s approach to prevention and management of workplace musculoskeletal conditions

Moving and Handling People Guidelines (2012)

“Strong evidence that only multifactor interventions/programmes are successful in reducing injuries”

A M&H programme typically includes:- ! A no-lift or similar policy ! Risk assessment ! Provision of M&H equipment ! Designing facilities for M&H people ! Training

! MH training is largely ineffective in reducing back pain and back injury. High priority should be given to developing and evaluating multidimensional interventions (Clemes et al, 2010)

Content of Moving and Handling Postgraduate Certificate

Paper Points Dates Health Ergonomics 15 points August 2014 Concepts of Moving and Handling

30 points Semester 1, 2015

Special topic paper 15 points Semester 2, 2015 Total 60 points

Based on the M&H post graduate qualification offered at Loughborough University, UK

Health Ergonomics (589706)

Paper content ! Ergonomics involves the interaction between people and work ! Health ergonomics focuses on those work factors that influence a person’s health and wellbeing and can affect an individual’s ability to remain healthy at work ! Incorporates a systems approach Structure ! Teaching: 4 day teaching block

n  21 – 24 August, 2014 ! Assessment: 1 written assignment

Occupational Ergonomics: Concepts of Moving and Handling (588090)

Paper content ! The identification of physical and psychosocial factors within the

work environment ! Assessment of risk associated with moving and handling ! Design of the physical environment ! Evaluation and management of complex moving and handling

scenarios Structure ! Teaching: Two 3 day teaching blocks (Semester 1, 2015) ! Assessment: 3 assignments

Summary ! Musculoskeletal disorders are the most commonly reported type of

work-related ill-health; and represent a major burden to society, organisations and the workforce

! Moving and handling is one of the main causes of musculoskeletal injury

! Moving and handling training is largely ineffective at reducing back pain and back injury

! A multi-dimensional intervention is needed to address and reduce workplace injuries and their associated costs

! Up-skilling and standardisation of knowledge among M&H professionals will advance the profession and ensure an evidence based approach of best practise is applied

References

•  ACC (2012). Moving and Handling People: The New Zealand Guidelines 2012. •  Clemes S., Haslam C. & Haslam R. (2009). What constitutes effective manual

handling training? A systematic review. Occupational Medicine. 60: 101-107 •  Garg A. & Kapellusch J. (2012). Long-term efficacy of ergonomics programme that

includes patient-handling devices on reducing musculoskeletal injuries to nursing personnel. Human Factors. 54 (4): 608-625.

•  Lipscomb H, Schoenfisch A, Myers D, Pompeii L & Dement J. (2012). Evaluation of direct workers’ compensation costs for musculoskeletal injuires surrounding interventions to reduce patient lifting. Occupational Environmental Medicine. 69: 367-372.