Assessment of the Environmental and Physical Ergonomic Conditions of ORs in Turkey

YASAK K., VURAL F.

AORN JOURNAL, cilt.110, sa.5, ss.517-523, 2019 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 110 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2019
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1002/aorn.12841
  • Dergi Adı: AORN JOURNAL
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.517-523
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: ergonomics, smoke evacuation, noise levels, occupational safety, perioperative environment, OPERATING-ROOMS, NOISE
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This descriptive, cross-sectional study in hospital ORs in Izmir, Turkey, assessed the environmental and physical ergonomic conditions that may place perioperative personnel at risk for injury or illness. We used an ergonomic conditions and risk factor description form to collect data in 58 ORs in nine different hospitals. We identified that the noise level and general air quality in the ORs were within recommended levels. However, none of the ORs had a surgical smoke evacuation system, pressure-absorbing mats, or special equipment to facilitate patient moving and lifting. Approximately 70% of the ORs had high stools to provide short periods of rest for the surgical personnel. In addition, perioperative personnel did not wear protection to prevent intraoperative radiation exposure. These results indicate that although some environmental factors were within acceptable limits, other physical ergonomic risks were not adequately addressed, thereby placing perioperative staff members at risk for health concerns.