Musculoskeletal issues are common for nurses. They are a major reason why nurses miss time at work, and they often trigger workers’ comp claims.
In some cases, nurses could suffer back injuries in ways that are similar to those in other professions. A nurse could be involved in a slip-and-fall accident on a wet floor, for example, or could slip and fall on the stairs. The same injuries could happen to office workers or retail workers.
But there are some unique complications within the nursing profession that make these types of injuries more likely, starting with patient handling.
An inherent injury risk
Nurses are urged to focus on safe patient handling practices. If they have to move a patient from a bed to a chair, for instance, it may take multiple people to do so. In other cases, there are assistive devices that could help, such as when lifting a heavy patient from a wheelchair into a bed.
However, it is important to note that nurses do not always have access to the assistance they need. Devices may be in use, or the hospital may be short-staffed, so there is no one else available to assist.
At these times, nurses sometimes find themselves in an urgent position. They need to move a patient immediately, so they try to do it on their own. With heavy patients, this can lead to significant back injuries, but the nurse may feel they have no choice but to try to assist the patient to the best of their ability, focusing on that person’s health and best interests.
For this reason, back injuries are an inherent risk in the nursing profession, and those who have suffered such injuries need to know what rights they have to workers’ comp benefits.