Affiliations: Occupational Therapy Department, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 770 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Canada | Occupational and Environmental Health Unit, Departments of Community Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Manitoba, 770 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Canada
Note: [] This study was funded by the Workers' Compensation Board of Manitoba.
Note: [] Corresponding author. Division of Occupational Therapy, University of Manitoba. 770 Bannatyne Avenue. Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Canada. Tel.: + 1 204 7893413, fax: + 1 204 7757104.
Abstract: Objectives: Work assessment and work hardening were components of a comprehensive interdisciplinary program to prevent and manage back injury in nurses in a large tertiary care hospital. The effect of work hardening on morbidity and work status is described. Study Design: Nurses injured on ‘target’ wards who had time loss exceeding four working days received a work assessment. Results determined work placement: work hardening. modified work or return to regular work. Pain, disability and lifting tolerance were monitored during work hardening and modified work; pain, disability, work endurance and work status were compared between initial and follow-up assessments. Results: Seven nurses received work hardening. All had increased lifting capacity; pain and disability scores decreased and, by 6 months follow-up, all were working full shifts at their regular jobs. Conclusion: Results support the concept of maintaining individuals with back injury in the workplace by providing early, on-site intervention that includes work hardening and modified work.
Keywords: Work assessment, Work hardening, Back injury, Workplace intervention
