Healthcare professionals are unsung heroes, dedicating their lives to caring for the sick and injured.
But while their compassion and services are indispensable, they are not immune to workplace injuries. As such, nurses should be aware of the most common workplace injuries they’re susceptible to so that they can do what they can to minimize the risks they’re facing.
Musculoskeletal injuries
Nursing is demanding, often requiring long, physically strenuous shifts. The constant bending while lifting and repositioning of patients can take a toll on a nurse’s body, resulting in musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries, like sprains and strains, can hinder a nurse’s ability to provide quality care. To mitigate this risk, nurses should receive proper training in patient handling techniques, and healthcare institutions should invest in ergonomic equipment to lessen physical strain.
Needlestick injuries
Nurses often deal with sharp objects, such as needles, daily. Needlestick injuries occur when a healthcare worker accidentally punctures their skin with a used needle. This can transmit bloodborne pathogens like HIV and Hepatitis B. To help prevent such injuries, stringent safety protocols, like using safety-engineered devices, must be followed.
Chemical injuries
In healthcare settings, nurses are frequently exposed to a variety of harmful substances, including disinfectants, medications and hazardous chemicals. Extensive exposure to these substances can result in chemical injuries, causing respiratory issues, skin problems or more severe health complications. Employers must exercise proper training, the use of protective gear and adherence to safety guidelines to help minimize the risk of chemical injuries.
Emotional stress and burnout
Constant exposure to suffering and critical situations can lead nurses to experience emotional stress and burnout. Nurses may experience symptoms such as anxiety, depression and emotional exhaustion. Healthcare institutions ought to provide mental health resources, counseling services and a supportive work environment to enable nurses to cope with their profession’s emotional toll.
Knowing the most common workplace injuries in healthcare can help nurses pursue workers’ compensation for work-related injuries, especially those that aren’t always obvious as “work related.” This knowledge can also – in some cases – help to prevent harm from occurring in the first place.
