PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P K Bertsche

Publications and source records attributed to P K Bertsche.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Ergonomics: CTD management evaluation tool.

Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) occurrences peaked in number in 1994 and although decreasing in 1995, still accounted for 62% of all illness cases reported. A CTD Management Evaluation Tool was developed to assist Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Officers (CSHOs) in program evaluation and documentation of the occupational health management component and the need for an ergonomics program. Occupational and environmental health nurses may use the tool not only to reduce and prevent CTD occurrences, but also as a benchmark for program evaluation.

Cold Temperature↗
PubMed1999

A comprehensive analysis of low-back disorder risk and spinal loading during the transferring and repositioning of patients using different techniques.

Although patient handlers suffer from low-back injuries at an alarming rate worldwide, there has been limited research quantifying the risk for the specific tasks performed by the patient handlers. The current study used both a comprehensive evaluation system (low-back disorder risk model) and theoretical model (biomechanical spinal loading model) to evaluate risk of LBD of 17 participants (12 experienced and five inexperienced) performing several patient handling tasks. Eight of the participants were female and nine were male. Several patient transfers were evaluated as well as repositioning of the patient in bed; these were performed with one and two people. The patient transfers were between bed and wheelchair (fixed and removable arms) and between commode chair and hospital chair. A 'standard' patient (a 50 kg co-operative female; non-weight bearing but had use of upper body) was used in all patient handling tasks. Overall, patient handling was found to be an extremely hazardous job that had substantial risk of causing a low-back injury whether with one or two patient handlers. The greatest risk was associated with the one-person transferring techniques with the actual task being performed having a limited effect. The repositioning techniques were found to have significant risk of LBD associated with them with the single hook method having the highest LBD risk and spinal loads that exceeded the tolerance limits (worst patient handling job). The two-person draw sheet repositioning technique had the lowest LBD risk and spinal loads but still had relatively high spinal loads and LBD risk. Thus, even the safest of tasks (of the tasks evaluated in this study) had significant risk. Additionally, the current study represented a 'best' case scenario since the patient was relatively light and co-operative. Thus, patient handling in real situations such as in a nursing home, would be expected to be worse. Therefore, to have an impact on LBD, it is necessary to provide mechanical lift assist devices.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Management of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders.

1. Elements critical to a successful medical management program include cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) surveillance, conditioning and rehabilitation programs, and familiarity with OSHA recordkeeping requirements, in addition to recognition, evaluation, and treatment. 2. Occupational health care providers (HCPs) can identify high risk departments, production lines, or jobs through the passive and/or active surveillance systems. 3. The HCP should perform a CTD evaluation of employees assigned to jobs with known ergonomic hazards or areas found to have CTD problems by the surveillance system. These evaluations should consist of a medical and occupational history, and a physical examination of the upper extremities. 4. The treatment algorithm emphasizes that a) symptomatic employees need follow up to determine the effectiveness of the prescribed treatments, b) employees with severe symptoms, positive physical findings, or disorders resistant to treatment need to be referred to a physician for further evaluation, and c) conservative therapy deserves an adequate trial before surgical intervention is contemplated.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1991

OSHA's voluntary protection programs. The benefits to occupational health nurses and their companies.

The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) consist of three different programs: Star, Merit, and Demonstration. Each is designed with different criteria to allow the opportunity for a wide range of safety and health programs to be recognized. To be accepted into the Star program it is necessary to have statistics that indicate the program is effective and to have the following six elements incorporated into a comprehensive safety and health program: management commitment; established methods of worksite analysis; established methods of hazard prevention and control; quality safety and health training; employee participation; and annual self evaluation. Because occupational health nurses have daily experience and formal training in hazard prevention and control, safety and health training, and employee health, they are invaluable resources in the VPP application process and in the maintenance of Star level protection. Decreased workers' compensation costs, decreased injury rates, and development of a positive attitude toward OSHA are benefits of the VPP for management, employees, and OSHA.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1989

Occupational medicine residency training programs. The role occupational health nurses play.

An experienced occupational health nurse with suitable academic qualifications is able to assist in providing a well-rounded education and teaching physicians to be effective members of occupational health teams. Nurses are involved in teaching occupational health to physicians in the academic and practicum phases of occupational medicine residency training programs. However, the involvement of nurses in training physicians is inconsistent among the accredited residencies. Most of the nurses involved in teaching occupational health to physicians are at least master's degree prepared. Nurses are involved in the didactic, clinical, and administrative components of the training programs. Though nurses are involved in residency training programs to an extent, the lack of consistent involvement limits the diversity of points of view and fosters an imbalance in the training of occupational medicine residents.

Curriculum↗