Nurses Association Denounces Efforts to Stall Ergo Standard

July 31, 2000
The American Nurses Association (ANA) recently testified at a Senate hearing that it opposes any efforts to delay publication of OSHA's proposed ergonomics standard.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) opposes any efforts to delay publication of OSHA''s proposed ergonomics standard, which the association says will protect nurses from disabling back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

ANA testified at a July 13 Senate hearing on the impact of the ergonomics standard on Medicaid, Medicare and other health care costs.

ANA said it will continue to urge for the immediate publication of the standard.

"Every day, nurses suffer debilitating and often career-ending and life-altering injuries from lifting and moving patients," said ANA President Mary E. Foley, R.N. "We should not have to jeopardize our own health while caring for patients. We have been debating this standard for over 10 years while nurses continue to get injured."

Back injuries affect up to 38 percent of all nurses, according to ANA. Patient handling, transfer and manual lifting are significant risk factors for back injuries.

For example, Becky Rice, R.N. in Washington, D.C., was injured in February 1999 in the intensive care unit where she works.

She and another nurse assisted a patient who was comatose and on a ventilator to move up in bed. They positioned themselves and started to pull, only the patient didn''t move.

Rice experienced great pain and within days, required back surgery. She will require additional surgery and is still awaiting approval by workers'' compensation.

She cannot sit for more than 30 minutes and cannot stand for long periods of time.

"If the standard had been in place, my injury could have been prevented," said Rice. "Instead of being in pain awaiting my second surgery, I could be doing the job I love, caring for patients."

ANA said the science is clear, and there is strong data demonstrating the problem of overexertion injuries in hospitals, nursing homes and home care settings for over a decade.

In 1994, sixty-seven percent of the disabling injuries in nursing were due to sprains and strains, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

ANA noted that MSDs injuries are not only disabling to nurses but costs are extremely high to the health care industry.

"Costs include lost workdays due to injury and workers'' compensation," said Foley. "Institutions can save money and careers by implementing an ergonomics program recommended in the proposed standard."

The association said that an ergonomics standard would also promote high-quality patient care.

The use of lifting teams and devices would allow nurses to move patients in a safe and efficient manner, decreasing the risk of patient falls.

"While the debate about the ergonomics standard continues, thousands of nurses are being injured," said Foley. "The time is now for Congress to stop the politics and let OSHA step forward and protect health care workers from injury."

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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