Healthcare & Lab Ergonomics

HEALTHCARE & LAB ERGONOMICS

WA4	Healthcare Ergonomics: A Successful Facility-Wide Approach Tamara James, MA, CIE, CPE; Director or Ergonomics, Duke University and Health System Wednesday, May 30 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM The healthcare industry has many challenges when it comes to ergonomics. This session will provide an overview of several unique work areas that cause musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare, as well as some of the more innovative solutions that will decrease risk of injury. Work areas addressed will include housekeeping, food services, patient handling (nursing, radiology, emergency services), computer workstations, and laboratories. Attendees will learn how to effectively reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury and improve some of jobs seen in healthcare facilities including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.	BASIC
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WB4	UC Davis Health Systems’ Solutions to Ergonomic Risk Duane Hicks, Manager of Environmental Services, Parking Services & Transportation, University of California Davis Health System Hugh Parker, BS; Director of Worker’s Compensation, Disability Management and Ergonomic Services, University of California Davis Health System Wednesday, May 30 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM Attend this informative session and discover how UC Davis Health System identified high risk ergonomic areas and implemented successful strategies to reduce staff injuries and worker’s compensation claims. Attendees will learn how UC Davis Health System developed successful solutions through a wining combination of collaborative efforts, technical improvements, and employee support. Attendees will learn how UC Davis’ approach can help to: Identify a program to reduce or eliminate patient movement injuries Reduce ergonomic risk factors through the selection and use of products/solutions Implement processes that increase the efficiency of collecting, cleaning, and distributing linens. Remove the barriers to making ergonomic changes in a hospital environment Learn proven methods to improving safety awareness and the bottom line by implementing other preventative measures.	ALL LEVELS This session will address issues related to the aging workforce.
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WC4	Safe Patient Handling Case Study: Vanderbilt University Medical Center margin-top: 0px;"> Melanie Swift, MD; Medical Director, Occupational Health Clinic, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Wednesday, May 30 2:15 AM - 3:30 PM Culture change doesn’t happen overnight. That is especially true in a hospital. However, by taking the long view, you can succeed at reducing injuries and keeping nurses safe even in a large busy hospital setting. The larger the hospital, the more complex the program will be, but patience and perseverance still pay off. Dr. Swift will take the audience step by step through the implementation of a successful safe patient handling program at Vanderbilt Occupational Health Clinic. She will share lessons learned throughout each step. Attendees will explore proven ways to: Implement strategies for engaging a variety of stakeholders from frontline nurses to CEOs Identify the type of data needed to build a business case for a safe patient handling program Compare the pros and cons of different types of patient handling programs List the elements of a comprehensive safe patient handling program Set reasonable goals for injury reduction.	INTERMEDIATE This session will address issues related to the aging workforce.
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WD4	Ergonomics in Imaging, Dental and Lab Environments Joan Baker, MSR, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS; Director, Sound Ergonomics, LLC Wednesday, May 30 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM A recent survey of diagnostic medical sonographers found that 84% of sonographers suffer from some form of MSD, the symptoms of which range in severity from temporary pain and discomfort to permanent injury. Of those who experience work-related musculoskeletal pain, 20% will eventually suffer career-ending injuries. Other imaging modalities such as mammography and invasive catheter procedures also produce injury due to difficult positioning, equipment limitations, as well as standing for long periods of time. Dental hygienists and assistants have long been known to have occupational injury from procedures requiring strength, including using a pinch grip on very small instruments. Monitors on ultrasound and computer workstations freeze the worker into one static posture, the result is discomfort and eventually, MSD. Attendees will leave this session with the skills and knowledge to: Recognize the risk factors for MSDs in sonography, mammography & lab settings Describe the mechanism of injury based on exposure to risk factors Identify ways to prevent injury in these medical specialties.	ALL LEVELS
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TA4	Lean Principles for Ergonomists & Engineers in the Healthcare Industry Jerome Congleton, PhD, PE, CPE; Professor, Safety & Engineering Program, Texas A&M University Thursday, May 31 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM Lean strategies and ergonomics are vital to the healthcare industry. Nursing homes were identified by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) as having the most dangerous jobs in America. How can lean manufacturing be utilized in the healthcare industry? Participants will examine the role of lean in the healthcare industry and learn how ergonomics can be used in service and administrative functions to increase process effectiveness. This session will emphasize the hands-on application of commonly used lean and ergonomics tools and techniques. Participants will learn skills they can take home and start using immediately to enhance their ergonomics programs in any type of healthcare facility including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.	INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED
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TB4	Optimizing Laboratory Ergonomics Kevin Costello, BS, CPE; President, United States Ergonomics, Inc. Thursday, May 31 9:30 AM - 10:45 PM Attendees will learn how to use risk factor checklists to prioritize and quantify ergonomic risk in any lab environment. Ergonomic lab and workstation layout, as well as equipment evaluation and selection criteria will be reviewed. Attendees will leave this session with: The ability to perform an ergonomics job analysis in any type of lab environment Evaluate and compare lab equipment including benches, microscopes, hoods, glove boxes, pipettes, etc. Create an injury prevention strategy and develop solutions to existing problems Consider the cost and ROI of ergonomic improvements.	ALL LEVELS
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TC4	We Invested in Patient Handling Equipment – Why Won’t They Use It? Andrew Rich, MS, OTR/L; Regional Clinical Manager, Industrial Rehabilitation Program, Diligent Services Wanda Dillberg, RN; Manager, Employee Health Services Department, Provena St. Joseph Medical Center Thursday, May 31 2:15 PM - 3:30 PM Often, following the implementation of a safe patient handling program there is a high level of participation and top to bottom staff buy-in. However, maintaining momentum can be challenging. This session will explore methods for creating an atmosphere of sustainable excitement and energy as it relates to starting or enhancing your safe patient handling program. This program is solution oriented with a focus on motivating all staff levels while facilitating cultural change in order to achieve successful outcomes. Attendees will leave this session with the skills and knowledge to: Generate and maintain excitement and participation Identify the five constraint categories that block performance Utilize reward and recognition programming to facilitate cultural change and achieve successful outcomes.	ALL LEVELS This session will address issues related to the aging workforce.
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The National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition and the Eastern Ergonomics Conference are owned and managed by Continental Exhibitions, Inc.
For more information contact Walter Charnizon, President, at Continental Exhibitions, Inc., 370 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017,
Phone 212-370-5005, Fax 212-370-5699, E-mail information@ergoexpo.com