Ergonomics: A solution for Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in Intensive Care Unit nursing staff

: Today, musculoskeletal disorders are one of the biggest health problems in the world. Prevention of musculoskeletal complications in ICU staff due to inappropriate physical posture at work, is important. The aim of the study is to assess the effect of education on musculoskeletal disorders in ICU staff nurses.  This interventional study performed on 90 nurses in ICU of educational in Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in Tehran. Nurses were assess in two education intervention and control groups after selected with simple random sampling they were matched together. Data collection was done with REBA standard checklist and a demographic questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by samples in before and six weeks after intervention. Descriptive and analytical statistics data analyze were done by SPSS software version 16. It showed that knowledge (P-value≥0.9) and danger level (P-value≥ 0.9) had no significant difference before educational intervention. After intervention, findings showed that significant statistical difference in the knowledge (P≤0.002), and danger level (P≤0.0001), in intervention group in comparison to the control group.  Occupational health and self-protection is an important point that should be regarded by all staffs at the work. Occupational musculoskeletal disorders are one of the serious problems of professional nursing that results to increase in their burnout. As most of nurses are unaware about ergonomics and do not follow its principles, there is a need for continuous education planning of the principles of ergonomics to nurses in ICU wards. Education has an effective role in increasing the level of knowledge and practice in the implementation of ergonomic principles.