Sliding Sheet Use in Nursing Practice: An Intervention Study

Deborah Alperovitch-Najenson, Chava Weiner, Joseph Ribak, Leonid Kalichman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have discovered that the utilization of sliding sheets in patient care is a valuable technique for repositioning bedridden patients compared with traditional cotton sheets or carriers. Our aim was to examine the effects of sliding sheet usage on work-related musculoskeletal disorders and disability, perceived workload, burnout, and job satisfaction, among nurses and nursing assistants. Method: This repeated measurement study included 41 female nurses and nursing assistants from three internal medicine departments who provided direct patient care. Participants completed an eight-part questionnaire (demographics, Neck Disability Index, Quick Disability of the Arms, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, BackAche Disability Index workload, burnout, and job satisfaction) 4 times during the study period: 3 months prior to the intervention, on the first day of the intervention, and 3 and 6 months after commencement of the intervention. Findings: After 3 and 6 months of sliding sheet usage, pain and disability decreased in the neck (p <.001); arms, shoulders, hands (p =.041); and lower back (p <.001), with an increase in job satisfaction (p <.001). Discussion/Application to Practice: The findings of our study indicate a clear influence of reducing work-related musculoskeletal pain and disability while increasing job satisfaction when sliding sheets are introduced into nursing practice. Occupational health nurses in health care should consider this type of low-cost intervention as a method for reducing musculoskeletal injury among direct patient care providers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)171-181
Number of pages11
JournalWorkplace Health and Safety
Volume68
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2020

Keywords

  • disease prevention
  • health promotion
  • implementation
  • nursing practice
  • occupational hazards
  • occupational health and safety programs
  • occupational injuries
  • sliding sheets
  • work-related musculoskeletal disorders

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Nursing (miscellaneous)

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