Abstract
Awkward postures, potential hazards and the adaptation to sub-optimal conditions belong to the normal course of life within operating rooms (ORs) and OR units. Ergonomic deficiencies of the OR are mostly the reason therefore. Medical technical devices were found to be lacking in usability due to such as unclear symbols, impracticability, hindrances and insufficient ease in handling. The positioning of devices in the OR shows ergonomic problems that in most cases necessitates an unavoidable awkward working posture for the employees that causes pain. Potential hazards exist for the patient as well as for the OR staff. To detect those conditions a checklist for the OR was developed and evaluated in German hospitals. To confirm the objective results of the checklist, additional surveys were performed among the OR staff to gain subjective personal impressions. Combining the checklist's and the surveys' results is a powerful tool to evaluate the entire OR unit.
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