Design and ergonomic assessment of an infusion set connector tool used in nursing work. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garosi, Ehsan; Mazloumi, Adel; Kalantari, Reza; Vahedi, Zahra; Shirzhiyan, Zahra
• Is Part Of: Applied ergonomics. Volume 75(2019)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Ergonomic design -- Infusion set -- Nursing; Human engineering -- Periodicals; 620.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.09.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-6870

Abstract

Abstract: Nursing is a physically demanding job characterized by a high prevalence of fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders. One of the high-exertion and repetitive nursing tasks is the manual connection of an infusion set to a medical fluid bottle. Such physical work can be eased by the design of new hand tools. Correspondingly, this study designed and ergonomically assessed an infusion set connector tool (ISCT) and compared it with that of manual connection. First, a prototype of ISCT was designed to perform infusion set connecting task in the mechanical form. Subsequently, 12 nurses were asked to connect an infusion set to medical bottle in the form of manual and mechanical tasks and these tasks were evaluated using ergonomic indices including muscular activity level, force, posture, and subjective (Borg scale CR10) measures. Results showed that the activity levels (root mean square) of the extensor digitorum communis, flexor carpi radialis, biceps, triceps, and deltoid muscles remarkably decreased when the nurses used the ISCT. The postures of the wrist, arm, and shoulder regions were corrected from Rapid Upper Limb Assessment action level 3 to 2 when the designed tool was used. Additionally, the subjective perception of exertion was significantly lower with the use of the prototype. Highlights: A new hand tool was designed for use in infusion set connecting task. Objective and subjective assessment methodologies including muscular activity, force, posture, spend time and Borg scale was applied to the evaluation of infusion set connecting tasks. Use of infusion set connector tool (ISCT) reduced stress in nursing hands and can be regarded as a useful ergonomic tool to utilize in nursing works.