Stephen Winkler

Publication Date

5-1987

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Wayne Higgins, David Dunn, Thomas Nicholson

Comments

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Original department Health & Safety

Degree Program

School of Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Nurses at two South Central Kentucky Hospitals were surveyed to determine their level of knowledge of basic body mechanics and patient handling techniques, and what they felt were possible causes of back injuries among nurses. A review of the literature failed to reveal an evaluation instrument that would measure level of knowledge in these areas. Accordingly, one was developed using questions drawn from several references. Of the nurses surveyed, 42 of the 61 respondents (69) scored below the minimum acceptable score. There was no significant difference in the mean scores of the two facilities. No significant differences were observed in mean scores of nurses with different levels of education or different areas of employment within the hospital. A majority of the nurses surveyed felt that using poor technique was a primary cause of back injuries.

These findings suggest that inadequate knowledge of body mechanics and patient transfer techniques is a potential risk factor for back injury among nurses at these hospitals.

Disciplines

Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing

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