36,000+ musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) cases involved health care patient handling in 2008 (9/14)
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
“In 2008, there were 36,130 occupational musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) cases in private industry where the source of injury or illness was a health care patient or resident of a health care facility. This accounted for 11 percent of the 317,440 total cases of MSDs that resulted in a least one lost day from work in 2008. Almost all (98 percent) of the cases involving patient handling occurred within the health care and social assistance industry, composing 55 percent of the 64,300 total MSD cases in that industry.
“For MSD cases involving patient handling, almost all (99 percent) were the result of overexertion. Sprain, strain, or tear was the type of injury incurred in 84 percent of the MSD cases involving patient handling.
“Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants incurred occupational injuries or illnesses in 52 percent of the MSD cases involving health care patients. Registered nurses accounted for 16 percent and home health aides for another 6 percent. Other occupations with MSD cases involving health care patients included licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses; emergency medical technicians and paramedics; personal and home care aides; health care support workers; radiologic technologists and technicians; and medical and health services managers.
“In 2008, there were 36,130 occupational musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) cases in private industry where the source of injury or illness was a health care patient or resident of a health care facility. This accounted for 11 percent of the 317,440 total cases of MSDs that resulted in a least one lost day from work in 2008. Almost all (98 percent) of the cases involving patient handling occurred within the health care and social assistance industry, composing 55 percent of the 64,300 total MSD cases in that industry.
“For MSD cases involving patient handling, almost all (99 percent) were the result of overexertion. Sprain, strain, or tear was the type of injury incurred in 84 percent of the MSD cases involving patient handling.
“Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants incurred occupational injuries or illnesses in 52 percent of the MSD cases involving health care patients. Registered nurses accounted for 16 percent and home health aides for another 6 percent. Other occupations with MSD cases involving health care patients included licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses; emergency medical technicians and paramedics; personal and home care aides; health care support workers; radiologic technologists and technicians; and medical and health services managers.
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