Lumbar spine forces during manoeuvring of ceiling-based and floor-based patient transfer devices

Abstract

Patient handling continues to represent a high risk task for low back pain (LBP) among health caregivers. Previous studies indicated that manual transfers of patients impose unacceptable loads on the spine even when two caregivers perform the transfer. Patient lift devices are considered a potential intervention; however, few biomechanical analyses have investigated the spine loads and LBP risk associated with these transfer devices. This study analysed the 3-D spine forces imposed upon the lumbar spine when 10 subjects manipulated ceiling-based and floor-based patient lifts through various patient handling conditions and manoeuvres. The results indicated that ceiling-mounted patient lift systems imposed spine forces upon the lumbar spine that would be considered safe, whereas floor-based patient handling systems had the potential to increase anterior/posterior shear forces to unacceptable levels during patient handling manoeuvres. Given these findings, ceiling-based lifts are preferable to floor-based patient transfer systems.

Keywords:

• low back pain
• low back disorders
• patient transfer
• patient handling
• patient lifting
• safe patient handling
• spine biomechanics

Acknowledgements

We are appreciative of the insights of Mr. Joe Joliff for his observations during the design phases of this study. The patient handling devices used in this study were provided by Liko North America. Funds to perform this study were provided by the Biodynamics Laboratory Development Fund at the Ohio State University.