Low back pain and associated presenteeism among hospital nursing staff.

OBJECTIVES: In spite of the high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and presenteeism previously observed among nurses, no study has assessed the risk of presenteeism specifically due to LBP in nursing staff. Therefore, aim of the present study was to assess prevalence and risk factors of presenteeism due to LBP among hospital nursing personnel. METHODS: 174 female nurses underwent a clinical interview and filled in a questionnaire on sociodemographics, LBP symptoms and associated sickness absence, mental symptoms, burnout and on exposure to workplace organizational, psychosocial and ergonomic factors; 111 subjects affected by LBP were included in the analysis. The effect of sociodemographic and workplace characteristics on presenteeism was examined through multivariate Poisson robust regression models. RESULTS: Prevalence of presenteeism due to LBP was 58%, with wide differences between registered nurses and nursing aides (p=0.001). Only a few workplace factors were significantly associated with presenteeism, including frequent stooping, which decreased the risk of presenteeism, and good working climate and procedural justice, which increased it. CONCLUSIONS: Presenteeism due to LBP was very high among registered nurses and was influenced only by workplace, but not by sociodemographic characteristics. Presenteeism due to LBP among registered nurses should be closely monitored, and effort should be made to reduce it to prevent future work disability associated with LBP.

[Algorithms for the evaluation of chemical risk: the Piedmont Region's experience]. / Gli algoritmi per la valutazione del rischio chimico: l'esperienza della Regione Piemonte.

The programme InfoRisk, proposed by the Piedmont Region in 2002, has been an important reference point for the evaluation of chemical risk, both for companies and the regional prevention system alike. Nowadays, it is still considered necessary to take advantage of simple methods for the evaluation of this risk. However, the Piedmontese model requires some modification so as to keep it in line with the national and international rules and regulations governing the question and to find some solutions to problems that have arisen in its practical application. Most of these problems are tied to the use of the section of the evaluation technique, which is base on the estimate and not on the measurement of the exposure. Indeed, it has been confirmed in some cases that it is not possible to discard a more accurate evaluation which is not only able to make a correct application of the scientific evidence available in a correct manner, but also one that is supported by environmental monitoring campaigns. The main modifications proposed to the model are herein presented. The Work Group has endeavoured to maintain, whenever possible, the previous logic processes of the algorithm, so as to conserve its "user friendly" aspects and clarity that have so often been reported and appreciated by the operators who applied it.

[Organizational wellbeing in the health sector: the Piemonte Region experience]. / Il benessere organizzativo in sanità: l'esperienza della Regione Piemonte.

In 2007, the Health Councillorship of the Piedmont region announced, in convention with the Psychology Department of the University of Turin, of the creation of "Workgroup for Safeguard of Organizational Wellbeing" composed by psychologists, occupational doctors, and superintendents for Prevention and Protection services. This group is aimed at promoting pilot experiences in the Health Units in order to prevent and combat psychosocial discomfort and to sustain workers' wellbeing. A complex intervention started in January 2009 and involved the personnel from Services for the Organization and Development of Human Resources, Personnel Services, Services for Occupational Medicine, Services of Communication, Quality Services, belonging to all of the Health Units from Piedmont, and of some structures operating within the national health service, for a total of 23 work groups. Based on the results produced and/or from the shared reflections in the classroom between the 23 groups, four main themes were singled out, corresponding to different levels and fields of interventions, in order to favour the contrast of psychosocial distress and to promote a culture of wellbeing, were adopted taking into account needs and cultural specificity of different Units' realities. The activities embarked on, inside every main theme represent, in the expectations of all the participants, good practices that could be spread to the different Local Health Units.