A data acquisition and analysis system for the biomechanical evaluation of patient moving and transferring equipment and procedures

Abstract

Patients and people with various disabilities are frequently moved and transferred by nurses and carers and consequently it is important to assess the risks involved when undertaking such tasks. People with disabilities are often able to bear some of their weight and this has led to the development of non-mechanical aids designed to reduce the load on the nurse or carer when undertaking a transferring manoeuvre. It is essential that aids are assessed thoroughly in order to ensure that transfers are safe and that advice and guidance can be given on the most appropriate equipment in a given situation. This paper describes a data acquisition and analysis system that has been developed to assist in such assessments. The system integrates measurements of spine movements, foot pressure and knee flexion with video recording of a transferring manoeuvre. A biomechanical model provides an estimate of the loading at the bottom of the lumbar spine for comparison with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines. A pilot assessment of non-mechanical aids prior to a full user trial demonstrated that such a system can provide valuable data from which to assess risk during patient transferring manoeuvres.