Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Staff Engagement and Empowerment (motivating staff / teamwork / work revamp tackling manpower issue / staff wellness / OSH / retention)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service II (Projects aiming to enhance clinical safety and outcomes, clinical governance / risk management)
Authors (including presenting author) :
CHENG K(1)
Affiliation :
Coronary Care Unit, United Christian Hospital
Introduction :
10-year Hospital Development Plan(HDP) has been implemented to expand the service capacity. With the growing healthcare needs in coronary intervention, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories(CCL) have been included in the HDP to enhance its facilities.
Occupational Safety and Health(OSH), particularly in the context of Manual Handling Operations(MHO), has to be highlighted by healthcare professionals working in X-Ray laboratories. The necessity of wearing heavy-leaded aprons can protect them from radiation exposure but impose a significant physical burden with higher risks of orthopedic injuries and musculoskeletal pain.
This abstract has focused on the ergonomic designs and preventive measures in United Christian Hospital(UCH) CCL, which can be served as a blueprint for the future development in other hospitals’ CCL to mitigate these occupational health hazards.
Objectives :
To discuss the strategies of MHO safety in UCH CCL
Methodology :
Reported incidents were identified from the OSH department of Kowloon East Cluster(KEC) to compare the MHO performance with that in UCH CCL.
Various strategies have been adopted in UCH CCL to address occupational health hazards, particularly focusing on musculoskeletal injuries and radiation exposure.
1. Protective Gear - Each staff is trained to wear protective aprons properly. Two-piece aprons are available to shift the heavy weight to their hips thus reducing pressure on the spine.
2. Shielding - Mobile X-Ray shields are available to decrease the scatter radiation meanwhile its movable feature allows nurses to handle emergency situations flexibly.
3. Interventional Suite Design - Monitors and imaging equipment are positioned ergonomically to prevent unnatural orientation of the body. Consumables (i.e. stents and balloons) are stored outside the X-Ray suite, which can be handled without wearing aprons.
4. Safety Measures - Each staff is ensured their adherence to established OSH protocols. Reminders (i.e. labels and warning notice) are displayed in prominent locations. New technologies and auxiliary tools are advocated to reduce occupational hazards.
5. Exercise - Intermittent footrests, stretching, and exercise are encouraged during prolonged cases and post-procedure to decrease musculoskeletal strain and improve posture.
Result & Outcome :
In recent 5 years, there are no identified incidents in UCH CCL but 5 reported IOD cases in KEC.
Culture of safety has contributed to a safer working environment, which can maintain the long-term health and productivity of healthcare professionals. Each hospital should prioritize their MHO and radiation safety in CCL. The above strategies have stressed the importance of properly fitted protective gear, ergonomic suite design, adherence to safety protocols and exercises to mitigate the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and radiation exposure in interventional settings.
I hope this abstract can be served as a blueprint for the future development in other hospitals’ CCL to promote their own culture of safety.
