Working conditions at hospital food service and the development of venous disease of lower limbs

Abstract

The present study assesses some factors that may influence the development of lower limb venous disease in workers of a hospital food service unit. An Ergonomic analysis of work was carried out at a hospital located in the south of Brazil. As for data collection, the following were used: interviews and body mass index assessment; specific clinical examination to diagnose venous disease, water displacement volumetry of the lower limbs. The activities performed at the workplace were followed by direct observation with image registration, use of pedometers, stopwatches, decibel meter, and digital thermo-hygrometer. It was observed different degrees of venous disease in 78% of the cases investigated. The volumetric variation of the lower limbs was 5.13%, showing the presence of edema. Working in hospital food service is associated with circulatory disorders of lower limbs, such as edema and venous disease. The following risk factors were identified: standing activities at work during a long period of time, high temperature, and humidity and carrying heavy weights.

Keywords:

• hospital kitchen
• ergonomics
• venous insufficiency
• occupational health

Acknowledgements

Financially supported by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) – Brazil, and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES), Ministry of Education (MEC) – Brazil.