Repetitive stress symptoms among radiology technologists: prevalence and major causative factors.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of repetitive stress symptoms among radiology technologists working in a fully digital radiology department and to ascertain which work-related factors contribute most to their symptoms. METHODS: A survey instrument was designed by occupational health specialists and administered to 225 technologists working in a large academic medical center radiology department. Data gathered included the presence of repetitive stress symptoms and prior diagnoses of repetitive stress syndrome. Respondents were also asked whether they spent >2 hours per day in an awkward posture (a screening question to identify individuals at risk for ergonomic injuries). Additionally, respondents were asked to identify which factors among a list of items contributed most to their symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 104 responses were received (response rate 46%). Repetitive stress symptoms were reported by 73 respondents (70%), and prior diagnoses of repetitive stress syndrome were reported by 44 (42%). Seventy-one respondents (68%) reported spending >2 hours per day in an awkward posture. Regarding the factors that were perceived to contribute most to repetitive stress symptoms, items related to patients and imaging equipment were cited much more frequently than those related to computers. The most commonly cited factors were patient transfer (33%), ultrasound probes (23%), heavy imaging equipment (20%), non-ergonomic chairs (19%), and lead aprons (10%). CONCLUSION: Repetitive stress symptoms are highly prevalent among radiology technologists working in a fully digital department but are primarily perceived to be related to tasks unrelated to computers. Thus, efforts to reduce the risk for injury should be focused primarily on improved ergonomics of patient transfer and imaging equipment.

Development of a flexible, computerized database to prioritize, record, and report influenza vaccination rates for healthcare personnel.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the method used to develop a flexible, computerized database for recording and reporting rates of influenza vaccination among healthcare personnel who were classified by their individual levels (hereafter, "tiers") of direct patient contact. DESIGN: Three-year descriptive summary. SETTING: Large, academic, tertiary care medical center in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: All of the medical center's healthcare personnel. METHODS: The need to develop a computer-based system to record direct patient care tiers and vaccination data for healthcare personnel was identified. A plan that was to be implemented in stages over several seasons was developed. RESULTS: Direct patient care tiers were defined by consensus opinion on the basis of the extent, frequency, and intensity of direct contact with patients. The definitions of these tiers evolved over 3 seasons. Direct patient care classifications were assigned and recorded in a computerized database, and data regarding the receipt of vaccination were tracked by using the same database. Data were extracted to generate reports of individual, departmental, and institutional vaccination rates, both overall and according to direct patient care tiers. CONCLUSIONS: Development of a computerized database to record direct patient care tiers for individual healthcare workers is a daunting but manageable task. Widespread use of these direct patient care definitions will facilitate uniform comparisons of vaccination rates between institutions. This computerized database can easily be used by infection control personnel to accomplish several other key tasks, including vaccination triage in the context of shortage or delay, prioritization of personnel to receive interventions in times of crisis, and monitoring the status of other employee health or occupational health measures.

Repetitive stress symptoms in radiology: prevalence and response to ergonomic interventions.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of repetitive stress symptoms among radiologists working in a archiving and communication systems (PACS) environment and to assess their responses to ergonomic interventions. METHODS: A survey instrument was designed in conjunction with occupational health specialists and administered to 107 faculty members, fellows, and residents working in a PACS-based radiology department. Data gathered included the number of hours per day working at a personal computer or PACS monitor, the presence of repetitive stress symptoms, and prior diagnosis of repetitive stress syndrome. Additionally, respondents who had received ergonomic chairs, ergonomic workstations, or ergonomic training were asked to rank the impact of these interventions on the severity of repetitive stress symptoms using a 7-point, Likert-type scale ranging from -3 ("markedly worse") to 3 ("markedly better"). RESULTS: A total of 73 responses were received (a 68% response rate) from 33 faculty members and 40 trainees (residents and fellows). A majority of respondents (68%) reported working more than 8 hours per day at a personal computer or PACS monitor (55% of faculty members, 80% of trainees). Repetitive stress symptoms were reported by 58% of respondents (52% of faculty members, 63% of trainees), and prior diagnoses of repetitive stress syndrome were reported by 38% (39% of faculty members, 38% of trainees). Improvements in repetitive stress symptoms (scale ratings of 1 to 3) were reported by 70% of respondents who received ergonomic chairs (n = 54), 80% who received ergonomic workstations (n = 55), and 80% who underwent ergonomic training (n = 20). CONCLUSION: Repetitive stress symptoms are highly prevalent among radiologists working in a PACS-based environment but are responsive to ergonomic interventions. Radiology departments should implement ergonomic initiatives to reduce the risk for repetitive stress injuries.