Running head: IMPACT OF BODY MECHANICS

Impact of Body Mechanics throughout Movement and Transfer of Patients

Leigh Anne Koonmen
Ferris State University

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Impact of Body Mechanics throughout Movement and Transfer of Patients
Evidence Based Practice is a problem-solving approach to making clinical decisions
using the best evidence available...[evidence based practice] blends both the science and the art o
nursing so that the best patient outcomes are achieved (Taylor et al., 2011, p. 78). Such practices
examine the best possible practices for treatments and procedures used in the hospitals and range
from hand washing to proper body mechanics. The benefits of evidence based practice are
extensive and are the primary source of promoting standards of care that ensure safety of both
patients and healthcare providers alike.
One topic covered under the umbrella of evidence based practice is that of proper body
mechanics during the transfer of patients from one location (e.g., bed) to another location (e.g.,
chair) or while performing certain procedures at a patients bedside (e.g., bed bath). The
maintenance of proper body mechanics during procedures is vital in protecting the healthcare
professional from injuring his or herself as well as ensuring the safety of the patient (Cornish and
Jones, 2011).
Effects of Improper Body Mechanics in Nursing Practice
In 2011 the American Nurses Association found that 8 out of 10 nurses work through
musculoskeletal pain associated with their job; of these injured nurses, 13% were injured more
than three times within a year while at work (ANA, 2012). The use of improper body mechanics
while assisting patients can lead to serious musculoskeletal harm. Much of the tasks performed
by nurses are repetitive movements that require large amounts of physical exertion; even those
tasks that do not require much physical exertion when performed once can lead to serious harm
when performed improperly and repeatedly throughout the day. According to Carta et al. (2010)
systematic health surveillance showed that [lower back pain] was a very common reason for
nursing staff being unfit to carry out patient handlingaffecting about 10% of the workforce (p.
577).

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In addition to preventing many nurses from performing assistive patient care
requirements, injuries due to improper body mechanics can be costly to the health care facility.
According to the CDC, Direct and indirect costs associated with back injuries in the healthcare
industry are estimated to be $20 billion annually (CDC, 2008, p.1).
Effects of Improper Body Mechanics on the Nurse
Much of a nurses responsibilities are focused on the movement of patients, whether it is
from a bed to a wheelchair, assistance with ambulation, or repositioning. All of this patient
assistance can put strain on the musculoskeletal system of the nurse potentially leading to a
serious workplace injury. Nurses rank fifth in professions that have the highest rates of
musculoskeletal injuries, which are caused by the use of improper body mechanics, long hours,
and frequent strenuous activities (Mayeda-Letourneau, 2014).
Compounding the physical strain from assisting patients, nurses are often put in awkward
positions while aiding their patients due to cramped hospital rooms and bathrooms, the presence
of other staff or family in the room, and the presence of poorly placed objects. Additionally, most
nurses spend long hours on their feet, which when paired with cramped spaces, heavy lifting,
poor body mechanics, such as twisting and bending the back, the nurse is regularly at risk or
serious musculoskeletal injury.
Effects of Improper Body Mechanics on Patients
The use of improper body mechanics by nursing staff effects not only their health, but
can also put their patient at risk for injury. Injury to a nurse during transfer of a patient can
increase the chances of that patient experiencing a fall without the nurse there for support. A
nurse who has been injured from a previous incident will similarly be unable to perform the full
function of assisting the patient, which can also put the patient in serious danger for injury.
Improper Detail in Incident Reports
Proper body mechanics are an extremely important part of moving and transferring
patients to ensure both nurse and patient safety, but sometimes things go awry and injuries occur,
and in this event it is essential for the nurse to fill out a detailed incident report. A study

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conducted by Cornish and Jones (2012) found a high rate of nurses who failed to fill out incident
reports with the baseline information necessary for appropriate overview of a situation in which a
patient was injured. Many of the nurses failed to explain the extent of injuries or how these
injuries were treated. Another important factor left out of almost all of the incident reports, 476
out of 500 in fact, failed to acknowledge ways in which the nurse would avoid the incident from
occurring again in the futurea necessary aspect of all incident reports. Additionally, the authors
found that several of the nurses indicated the patients were to blame for the incident and
indicated future prevention responsibilities geared more towards the patient than the nurse.
Benefits of Proper Body Mechanics
The utilization of standards of proper body mechanics is mutually beneficial to the nurse,
the patient, and the health care setting. The continuous and repetitive work of nurses in the
transfer, repositioning, and movement of patients, which is primarily manual work, increases
incidences of nurse injury, patient injury, and health care costs. Utilization of proper body
mechanics during these procedures, as well as implementation of mechanical lifts, such as a
ceiling lit, bariatric lift, and suspension devices, can decrease incidences of injury.
According to Virginia Nurses Today (2010), healthcare workers are three times more
likely to be injured on the job than any other profession, primarily due to procedures that require
assistance of a patient in transferring or moving. These injuries can cost the hospital over $20
million dollars annually. Implementing standards of safe patient handling and use of transfer
devices can be extremely cost effective when associated with actors such as lost work days,
modified duty, worker retraining, employee turnover, and even bed sores are factored in, the
hospital recoups its investment in less than two years (Virginia Nurses Today, 2010, p. 13)
Alternatives to Manual Patient Assistance
As stated by Wyk, Andrews, and Weir (2009), Manual patient transfers, which include
lifting, relocating, and lowering a patient, impose a tremendous physical burden on nurses, as the
force required to complete the task often exceeds the physical capabilities of the nurses (p. 362).

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Much of the assistive work performed by nurses is done manually and independently. The use of
an additional person when performing assistive tasks can help reduce strain on the
musculoskeletal system during manual transfer or movement procedures, as the weight
distribution each person lifts is decreased as more staff aid in the movement.
However, the use of additional staff is not always practical, especially in a field that
regularly experiences staff shortages in the workplace. Thus, the use of mechanical devices is
essential in preventing injuries to the musculoskeletal systems of nurses who are required to
perform patient assistance procedures independently. These mechanical devices can be used to
lift patients from bed and move them directly to a wheelchair or chair and even move patients
from one room to another.
Conclusion
Nurse injuries due to the movement, transferring, and repositioning of patients is
becoming increasingly prevalent in the healthcare industry. These injuries can lead to further
patient injuries and high costs for the healthcare facility. Alternative methods have been
identified to assist nurses in the movement, transfer, and repositioning of patients, including use
of mechanical transfer devices as well as training courses for proper body mechanics. Through
the utilization of evidence based practice regarding proper body mechanics during transfer
methods decreases the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in nurses as well as decreases costs
for the healthcare facility.