@article{ref1,
title="Effect of a nurse back injury prevention intervention on the rate of injury compensation claims",
journal="Journal of safety research",
year="2009",
author="Martin, Peter J. and Harvey, Jack T. and Culvenor, John F. and Payne, Warren R.",
volume="40",
number="1",
pages="13-19",
abstract="PROBLEM: This study evaluated the effect of introducing a No Lifting policy on back injuries to nurses, across an entire health care system. METHODS: Methods included: analysis of the data for all public health agencies in the Australian state of Victoria; compensation data from the Victorian Workcover Authority; data about workforce and program implementation from a retrospective survey of agencies; longitudinal analysis of standardized workers compensation claim rates for back injuries before, during and after the intervention. RESULTS: A statistically significant decline in back injury claim rates during implementation contrasted with no statistically significant trends within the periods before and after the intervention. A statistically significant reduction occurred in mean quarterly standard back injury claim incidence rates per 1,000 equivalent fulltime nursing staff (EFTNS), representing a 24% reduction in standard back injury claims/1000 EFTNS. DISCUSSION: Ergonomics principles encourage changing the work environment to suit the worker. This approach delivered a significant improvement in the immediate term. IMPACT OF INDUSTRY: The substantial decline in back injury rates signifies a major improvement in the safety of a critical aspect of the work environment for nurses.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-4375",
doi="10.1016/j.jsr.2008.10.013",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2008.10.013"
}