Abstract No:
1661
Abstract Type:
Student Poster
Authors:
R Neimark1, P Pratap2
Institutions:
1UIC School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, 2UIC School of Public Health, Chicago, IL
Presenter:
Ron Neimark
UIC School of Public Health
Faculty Advisor:
Preethi Pratap, MSc., PhD
UIC School of Public Health
Description:
Introduction/Background
Hospital workers experience musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) at rates substantially higher than workers in most other industries, yet regulatory approaches have largely focused on patient-handling hazards and Registered Nurses, with limited attention to other occupational groups or staffing as a structural determinant of risk. This study examines the incidence and severity of WMSDs among Illinois hospital workers and evaluates whether nurse staffing levels are associated with injury rates.
Situation/Problem:
Hospital workers experience a high rate of musculoskeletal injury relative to workers in other industries.
Methods:
This retrospective observational study analyzed Illinois Workers' Compensation First Report of Injury (FROI) data for hospital workers from 2018–2023. Musculoskeletal injuries were identified using standardized nature and cause codes aligned with Bureau of Labor Statistics definitions. Injury incidence rates were estimated using negative binomial regression with employment denominators derived from the American Community Survey. Injury severity was examined using logistic regression. For general hospitals with medical-surgical units, hospital-wide nursing WMSD rates were compared by staffing levels using Nursing Hours per Patient Day (NHPPD) and Registered Nurse Hours per Patient Day (RNHPPD).
Results / Conclusions:
Results
A total of 5,656 hospital worker WMSDs were identified. Nursing assistants and service workers experienced the highest injury incidence across all regions. Injury rates were significantly higher in Chicago and Suburban Cook County than in other parts of Illinois. Among injured workers, Registered Nurses and service workers had the highest odds of severe injury. Hospitals in the Chicago metropolitan area showed significantly greater odds of severe injuries. In years with available staffing data, hospitals with higher musculoskeletal injury rates had significantly lower medical-surgical staffing levels, particularly nursing support hours per patient day.
Conclusion/Discussion
Findings suggest that patient-handling programs alone are insufficient without addressing workload and staffing adequacy, particularly for nursing assistants and service workers. Strengthening staffing standards and expanding ergonomic regulation beyond patient lifting may reduce injury risk and improve workforce sustainability in Illinois hospitals.
Core Competencies:
Work Environments, Occupations, and Industrial Processes
Secondary Core Competencies:
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Ergonomics
Choose at least one (1), and up to five, (5) keywords from the following list. These selections will optimize your presentation's search results for attendees.
Ergonomics
Occupational epidemiology
Based on the information that will be presented during your proposed session, please indicate the targeted audience practice level: (select one)
Practitioner: Practitioner is a job title given to persons in various occupational fields who are trained to assist professionals but are not themselves licensed or certified at a professional level by a certification body recognized by the National Accreditation Recognition (NAR) Committee of IOHA. The IH/OH practitioner performs tasks requiring significant knowledge and skill in the IH/OH field, such as conducting worker exposure monitoring and, in some cases, may even function independently of a professional IH/OH but may not be involved in the breadth of IH/OH practice nor have the level of responsibility of a professional IH/OH certified by examination.
The IH/OH practitioner requires a certain level of education that can be obtained from an accredited university or equivalent. Additional training in specific skill sets that provide additional career paths to the IH/OH practitioner can also be obtained. IH/OH practitioners may also serve as team leaders or project managers.
Was this session organized by an AIHA Technical Committee, Special Interest Group, Working Group, Advisory Group or other AIHA project Team?
No
Are worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis presented?
No
How will this help advance the science of IH/OH?
Description of risk,odds of severity and role of workload and staffing on injury experience is amongst variety of occupations in the hospital setting is analyzed.
Have you presented this information before?
No
I have read and agree to these guidelines.
Yes