The Effect of Ergonomics Program on Nurses' Knowledge and Practice in Operating Room

Abstract

Abstract: Operating room nurse has the highest prevalence rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) among the nursing profession. Ergonomics is the process of creating a workspace which is safe, efficient, comfortable, and prevents WMSD. Ergonomic education programs are used increasingly as a strategy to decrease musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) for nurses in the operating room. This study aims to evaluate the effect of ergonomics program on nurses' knowledge and practices in an operating room. Methods: A trueexperimental research design was utilized in the current study. The study was conducted at the two cosmetics surgery operating rooms, affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. Subjects: A random cluster sample of 40 nurses included (38 staff nurses and 2 head nurses, of both genders) over a period of six months. Tools for data collection: Four tools for data collection were used as follow, 1. Educational needs assessment questionnaire, 2. Self-administered questionnaire sheet, 3. Nurses’ performance observational checklist; 4. and participants’ opinionnaire sheet. Results: revealed that, there was a highly statistically significant improvement in total knowledge and practice of nurses' pre and post intervention (P>0.001). Conclusion: The current study concludes that the implementation of the training program had positive effects on improving nurses’ knowledge and practice related to ergonomics. Recommendations: The study recommended that conducting periodic inservices training program for operating room nurses to improve knowledge and practices related to ergonomics principles.