Embracing ergonomics in healthcare
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March 1, 2024 - When we think of healthcare settings, we tend to picture nurses rushing around, patients being transported through corridors, and diligent doctors at their stations. Yet, behind these heroic duties lies a silent struggle – the hidden toll of ergonomic challenges on healthcare professionals and the support staff within healthcare facilities.
Ergonomic hurdles
Challenges related to ergonomics continue to affect the efficiency and safety of the healthcare sector. From routine linen transfers to sporadic machinery repairs, healthcare workers face daily tasks that put them at increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders.
Traditionally, ergonomic programs have targeted routine tasks, much like those found on assembly lines. Now, the healthcare industry recognizes the need to mitigate risks associated with non-repetitive or semi-repetitive duties, including activities such as sterilizing surgical instruments, moving dirty linens, and more.
Lean methodologies
Originating from the Toyota Production System, lean methodologies help optimize processes to improve efficiency and productivity - making it an ideal tool for addressing non-repetitive ergonomic problems.
Lean principles empower organizations to become adept at solving complex challenges. For example, conducting a root cause analysis allows teams to use data and facts to precisely define issues and develop targeted solutions.
Utilizing these facets of lean to address non-repetitive ergonomic problems enables organizations to leverage data, foster collaboration, and develop innovative ways to create safer working environments.
Stakeholder collaboration
Central to this lean approach is bringing frontline workers, senior stakeholders, and various departments together so organizations can gather diverse perspectives and insights into issues facing everyone. This collaborative process ensures that solutions are well-informed, and everyone agrees on where the organization is, and where it is going. Introducing adequate ergonomics informed by this feedback helps nurture sustainable improvement, while significantly lowering physical and mental stress in the workplace.
Employee well-being and engagement
Engaging stakeholders through the lean process contributes to employee well-being by giving workers a sense of ownership and job satisfaction. When employees feel their voices are heard, it can boost morale and energize them to actively participate in improvement initiatives.
This stakeholder engagement becomes especially important when considering workplace ergonomics. Lifting patients and moving equipment leads to physical strain that builds over time, as well as causing mental fatigue in the form of headaches and stress. This is particularly true if equipment is improperly designed, hard to find, or isn’t the right tool for the job.
Engaging workers through the lean process to gather input on ergonomic and equipment issues, can better address worker needs. In turn, this will improve efficiency and reduce workplace injuries and fatigue, leading to empowered employees taking an active role in their well-being.
Transforming ergonomics in healthcare environments requires a collaborative approach that combines problem-solving methodologies with stakeholder engagement. By leveraging lean methodologies to tackle underlying issues, healthcare organizations can address complex challenges effectively.
To learn more on total worker health, read Building a culture of trust to elevate total worker health & safety by Al Roth and Future of work: A transformative era for EHS by Xavier Alcaraz.
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