Manual handling incident claims in the healthcare sector: Factors and outcomes

Abstract

Manual handling (MH) incidents may result in injury, absenteeism and/or compensation claim.

Objective: This study investigated the factors associated with MH incidents among healthcare workers who had made a claim, and the management and outcome of those workers.

Participants: A national sample of healthcare sector MH incident claim files (n=247) were accessed and 35~files met the inclusion criteria.

Methods: Data were collected and presented graphically or descriptively using percentages (and 95% Confidence intervals, CI). Chi-square (χ $ ^{2}$ ) tests were used for comparing proportions between groups. SPSS (v14.0) was used for analysis. Significance at p<0.05 is assumed.

Results: Attendants accounted for the highest number of claimants. The majority of claims (74%, 95% CI 68%, 81%) were for back injury; 11% (8%, 15%) for neck injury. Fifty-one percent (43%, 60%) involved patient-handling tasks at the time of incident; 46% (37%, 54%) involved inanimate handling. Ninety-one percent (89%, 94%) took sick leave, with 52% (43%, 60%) taking > 52 weeks. Only 58% (49%, 65%) returned to work. Claimants who had been in communication with employers were significantly more likely to return to work than those who did not (χ $ ^{2}$ test, p=0.017).

Conclusions: Improved management of MH incidents and injured workers are recommended.