Ergonomics in the work of nurses as the highest form of minimizing the risk of adverse events in the hospital

Abstract

In hospital care there are many diagnostic and therapeutic processes with a very complex specificity. The nursing staff plays a significant role in individual processes, which should be carried out with the safety of patients as well as for the personnel providing these services. Ergonomics in the work of nurses should be perceived as the optimal source of minimizing the sources of adverse events. However, it should be taken into account that ergonomics requires not only a systemic approach, but also an interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach. Scientific research indicates a low supply of nursing staff related, among others with a tendency to reduce the costs of functioning of health care units [1]. This applies not only to low wages, but also to new work organization rules aimed at standardized conduct. It mainly concerns the burden of numerous technical and administrative tasks, at the expense of individual care for the patient. This situation may affect the increase in the occurrence of adverse events that expose nursing staff to legal (professional, civil and criminal) liability. Demographic data indicate that in Poland the percentage of older people is increasing, which will increase the need for nursing care. Meanwhile, the employment rate of nurses in direct patient care in Poland is one of the lowest in Europe. The staff deficit forces the employees to perform more tasks at the same time, which places the body in both the psychological and physical dimensions [2].