| ergonomics in the workplace | practice management of special
importance is the ability to have close access to the patient, enabling the physician and staff to stand upright without unnecessary bending or twisting.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This is a chapter from Cosmetic Bootcamp
Primer, edited by Kenneth
Beer MD PA, Mary P. Lupo MD FAAD, and Vic Narurkar MD FAAD.
It is available from Informa Healthcare, at
www.informahealthcare.com
considered because it allows the physician to move the patient to the other equipment in the room instead of requiring the physician to move around or require movement of the equipment. in addition, by rotating the patient, the physician can position the work site close to a counter or supply storage area so that twisting movements and overreaching can be minimized. a final consideration for the procedure
table or chair should be its controls. the controls for moving the table or chair should ideally either be wireless or in the form of accessible, easy-to-use foot controls. and the size of the controls should not be overly large and obtrusive that they cause a trip hazard or force the doctor or staff away from the work site. the latter would result in the user leaning over the patient and put undue strain on the lower back and neck.
Casework/cabinetry casework designed specifically for medical environments is often more durable and will not break down under medical use, unlike common wood casework. while casework does have an aesthetic effect on the image of the practice to patients and staff, it also can be tied closely to ergonomic principles. For example, a pull-out writing surface
at an approximate height of 30 inches would allow any paperwork needed during an examination to be readily and conveniently accessed. and locating the sink in the corner maintains a countertop surface closer to the working environment and isolates any splashing to eliminate potential slippery spots on the floor. another important area on the cabinetry is the kick area of the base
cabinet. this should be high enough to allow the legs of the stool to slide under the edge of the base cabinet while the user’s foot is positioned on the base in a very common use scenario. this allows the user to get in closer to the cabinets and countertop and eliminates frequent and unnecessary bending or stretching. and consideration should be given to
how items are placed in the cabinetry. For example, keeping the most frequently accessed supplies on the lowest shelves keeps physicians and staff from constantly overreaching.
Monitors monitors have become a critical part of the exam/procedure room. physicians need to be able to easily view the monitor during any procedure. For this reason, it is important to have a fully adjustable monitor on a monitor arm that allows it to be easily positioned for both sitting and standing postures and for a variety of procedures. making sure that the monitor is of high
resolution and free of smudges will eliminate any eye strain, blurred vision, dry eyes, or headaches that may result from prolonged concentration to view images that are unclear or washed out. an emerging trend is to use mobile
carts that can be brought to the side of the procedure table so the physician can maintain the provider/patient eye connection while still entering data into a practice management system or electronic health records (ehr) system. this arrangement eliminates staff twisting to access any electronic systems or eliminates any awkward balancing that happens with portable tablet computers. ideally these mobile carts should be
height adjustable so a physician can work either sitting or standing.
Staff awareness and training osha recommends that practices establish a training program designed and implemented by qualified persons to provide continual ergonomics education and training. it should also be a part of any new employee orientation. the training should cover not only ergonomic hazards and principles, but appropriate procedures, such as patient lifting guidelines, as well as the proper use of the equipment. the training should also provide an overview of the potential risks, causes and symptoms of back injuries, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Conclusion the well-designed esthetic office needs to not only look good but also function well. it does the physician little good if he or she is able to build a practice only to become disabled due to a herniated disk in the neck or back. By following guidelines and using well-designed equipment, the physician can enjoy a long and comfortable career. in addition, his or her patients will have the knowledge that the office has invested the time and money to make each visit comfortable and safe as possible.
Declaration of interest The author, an employee of Midmark, has no other relationships to declare that pose a conflict of interest with regards to the content of this article.
prime-journal.com | March 2011 ❚
75
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80