Assessment and Comparison of the Impact of Ergonomic Patient Transfer Method Training on the Operating Room Staff Performance Using Two Instruments of Patient Transfer Assessment and Rapid Entire Body Assessment

The high risk of injuries caused by patient transfer among nurses indicates the inappropriate implementation of patient handling techniques. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the impact of ergonomic patient transfer method training on the operating room staff performance using “Patient Transfer Assessment Instrument” and “Rapid Entire Body Assessment” questionnaires.
In this pre- and post-quasi-experimental study, 31 operating room nursing personnel of Marvdasht Educational Hospital were selected based on convenience sampling. The sample was taught the patient transfer technique from bed to stretcher and the inverse method according to ergonomic principles. Data were collected using “Patient Transfer Assessment Instrument” and “Rapid Entire Body Assessment” questionnaires and was analyzed using SPSS 19.
Results showed that the mean scores in “Patient Transfer Assessment Instrument” were 61.739 (second level; need for ergonomic proceedings) before the intervention and 83.3 (desired level) after the intervention. In addition, the mean scores in “Rapid Entire Body Assessment” were 8.03 (high-risk level; need for ergonomic proceedings) before the intervention and 2.64 (low-risk level) after the intervention. Analysis showed no significant correlation between the two mean scores (P This study indicated that training was effective in enhancing the staffs’ patient transfer technique skills. Therefore, in order to improve patient transfer skills and reduce occupational injuries in hospitals, it is suggested to provide training programs based on ergonomic principles.