STANDING AROUND Anti-fatigue mats can make staff and surgeons more comfortable.

Healthcare workers suffer from overexertion musculoskeletal injuries twice as often as workers in other industries, according to the CDC. Here are 5 ways to improve the ergonomic safety of your ORs.

1. Get help transferring patients
The single greatest risk factor for overexertion injuries in healthcare workers is patient handling, says the CDC. Many devices alleviate that strain. Lift-assist equipment can help your staff better move patients in a variety of situations. Portable lifts are great for smaller facilities, while non-motorized, sit-to-stand devices can be used on mobile patients, says Donald R. Peterson, PhD, MS, dean and professor of engineering at the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at Texas A&M University in Texarkana, Texas. Lateral transfer devices like friction-reducing, single-use drawsheets, reusable transfer boards and air transfer mattresses spare employees' backs as they move patients from the stretcher to the bed, he says.

2. Minimize static or awkward positions
Dr. Peterson collaborated on a 2012 study on OR ergonomics with Angela Kueck, MD, medical director of robots and simulation at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, Conn. The study (osmag.net/BnFpP5) found that 88% of MIS surgeons reported physical discomfort in surgery. A lot of this pain was due to the static and awkward positions caused by poorly designed devices. "We're seeing more and more overuse injuries, things like neck problems or back pain," says Dr. Kueck. "There's also a lot of arthritis and problems with hands and wrists. We're finding that one size doesn't fit all."

Manufacturers are squashing this one-size-fits-all notion in their instrument designs, offering smaller handle sizes or tools that require less manual force to operate, says Dr. Peterson. "Lap instruments are traditionally designed using data for the 'common man,' not woman," he adds.

For your OR tables, focus on height-adjustable options that move with a quick and easy press of a foot pedal or button. "I'm 5-foot-3, so I have to stand on several stools to be at the right height at the OR table," says Dr. Kueck. "Manufacturers are making tables that go down way lower to accommodate those who are shorter."

3. Avoid slips, trips and falls
Products aimed at reducing slips, trips and falls don't only make the OR more comfortable to work in, but also less dangerous, says Dr. Kueck. Drapes with pockets that capture runoff from messy procedures, wicking pads and suction devices that quickly clean up spills keep your floors safe and dry.

Cables and cords, though, may seem unavoidable, she says. While using tape or single-use, brightly colored adhesives to hold them down is a low-tech way to prevent trips, UConn has found that booms make the biggest difference. "They are easier to move and cause less strain than when the nurses must push equipment on carts," says Dr. Kueck. "They also let you position monitors at a better angle and cause less stress on your neck."

LAPAROSCOPIC STRESS Dr. Peterson and Dr. Kueck study the physical strain placed on laparoscopic surgeons in UConn's Health Center Biodynamics Laboratory.

4. Change the OR's atmosphere
Make sure your teams stay comfortable and focused with gel-foam anti-fatigue mats, says Dr. Kueck. "Your feet and back will hurt less after using them, though time will tell if the rates of overuse injuries go down with their continued use," she says.

Temperature battles are another common complaint. "It's a constant struggle," says Dr. Kueck. "Surgeons often get overheated while everyone else is freezing." Consider cooling/warming vests that rely on circulating air or water to keep the user at their desired temperature. The vests can be tethered to an electric source or battery-operated, or feature reusable frozen gel pads that stay cold for several hours.

5. The human factor
While many devices are available to enhance your OR's comfort, don't think that a simple purchase is a panacea for an uncomfortable workspace. Identify your team's biggest complaints and address them with better technology and training, says Dr. Peterson. "Look at the human factor first," he says. "You don't want to just buy equipment you think will help. Look at who you have and the training you do. Maybe you need more simulation about how to approach the devices, or to train staffers on when they should be taking breaks." OSM