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H EALHTY IN IMAGING
Ergonomics is a scientific discipline that group. The most often affected muscles and
addresses the human being in the muscle groups include those of the wrist, forearm,
environment to facilitate human wellbeing. elbow, fingers, hands, neck and shoulders.
For example, an ergonomically designed Some of the activities and conditions associated
computer mouse and ergonomically and with repetitive stress injuries include:
anatomically correct chairs that curve to
conform to our normal lumbar curve are • Prolonged and intense activity without
examples of ergonomic principles applied to taking a break from it
products that are used in the home and the • Poor posture and poor bodily alignment
workplace. • Stress
• Cold ambient temperatures
Body mechanics is the safe use of the body
using the correct posture, bodily alignment, Safe patient handling and the application of the
balance and bodily movements to safely bend, principles of body mechanics protect the patient
carry, lift and move objects and people. An and the healthcare staff. Patients benefit because
example of a good body mechanics principle is they are being lifted and transferred by one or
to push rather then pull objects and people. more people who are using the strongest muscles
of the body and nurses benefit because they have
Health care staff must be knowledgeable of
and apply the principles of ergonomics as well avoided patient injury and have protected
as body mechanics in their personal and themselves from sometimes severe and
professional life in order to prevent repetitive permanent injuries, particularly to their back,
stress injuries. which can sometimes cease the nurse's ability to
return to nursing.
Repetitive stress injuries, simply defined, are
injuries that lead to muscular and In addition to getting the assistance of another or
neurological pain and discomfort, stiffness, using a mechanical life, nurses should follow these
and cramping as the result of repeated and principles of safe patient handling and body
repetitive movements and other things that mechanics.
lead to the overuse of a muscle or muscle
