The health and safety risks of physiotherapists in a hospital environment

Abstract

The aim of the study is to identify the most common health hazards and the health and safety risks encountered by physiotherapists at the place of work. All the hazards and risks that arise were identified through a thorough review of literature on the topic. The information was gathered mostly from abroad, as local literature on the topic is very scarce. Hazards within a hospital environment are impossible to eliminate but with updated knowledge, continuous professional development (CPD), training and supervision of personnel, one is able to eliminate, or reduce the risks to reasonably acceptable levels. There are 66 physiotherapists presently working in different units within St. Luke's hospital. By means of an interview questionnaire the researcher aimed to determine the most common risks staff is exposed to and analyze data on knowledge, awareness, and behaviour of staff towards health and safety issues. A questionnaire was administered by the researcher to 40 physiotherapists. As revealed in the results of the questionnaire, health and safety training as regards patient care is given but there is lack of training as regards health and safety to the workers. The lack of certain minimum health and safety requirements as noted in LN 44 of 2002 [ 46]such as the lack of proper changing rooms, appropriate washing facilities and lockers, and other hospital environmental factors was highlighted by the physiotherapists. These factors affect the worker psychologically and increases stress at the place of work. 11 First aid training, fire drills and fire evacuation procedures are also found to be lacking within the workers' knowledge which effects their attitude and behaviour in case of emergencies. One could not compare results of musculo skeletal injuries (MSI) or other incidents found locally, to those abroad as there is no such incident reporting system or near misses reporting system. Another point brought up during this study is that the attitude of the management does not appear to be proactive. Action to address health and safety issues is only taken once an incident occurs. As a result of this study recommendations where identified so in the future both the management and the physiotherapists can start to take the issue of health and safety more seriously