MARION REGIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM CREATES SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH ERGONOMICS
 
Marion, SC--As the result of an ergonomic risk assessment conducted in late 2007, Marion Regional Healthcare System’s Cardiovascular Services Division has created an environment that is safer for scanning technologists and more user-friendly and comfortable for patients.
 
New, ergonomically-friendly Echo/Vascular beds help technicians achieve better results by positioning patients as necessary and with greater ease resulting in less strain on shoulders and backs. For the patients, this means that scans can be done quicker and with more accurate first-time results. 
 
According to Betsy Allen of Marion Regional Healthcare System, “This is a vast improvement over traditional beds.   Patients appreciate the easy access they have to the bed and its lower heights, and our technicians place themselves at a more anatomically correct position minimizing the risk of threatening repetitive stress injuries.”
 
In addition to the beds, the Hospital has purchased new ultrasound chairs and cushions specially designed to alleviate the stress and strain on employees’ shoulders, back and arm/hand muscles.
 
“We are currently evaluating new, ergonomically-friendly ultrasound equipment, as well,” said Allen. “This equipment will consist of machines which are lighter in weight making them easier to move; as well as adjustable keyboards and flat-panel monitors which can be easily adjusted and brought closer to the technologist.”
 
“The safety and well-being of our employees is at the forefront of all we do,” said Eugene (Gene) Tucker, CEO of Marion Regional Healthcare System.  The Hospital’s Safety culture considers all feasible means of avoiding injury, including:
 
•Proper use of equipment/technology
• Behavioral or work practice controls: training, body mechanics, or other joint protection principles
• Administrative controls: policies and procedures geared toward injury prevention, such as staffing ratios, job rotation, or job enlargement, and
• Use of personal protective equipment
 
Safety and health statistics compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics continue to show a high number of musculoskeletal injuries, specifically sprains and strains among nursing aides, registered nurses, and orderlies.
 
This is readily apparent when one looks at industry data regarding injuries in healthcare where the average injury rates—8.5% for hospitals and 13.2% for nursing and personal care facilities—surpass those of general industry at 6.3%
 
“Marion Regional Healthcare System is doing its part to help reduce those statistics,” concluded Tucker.
 
Recognized statewide for its community health initiatives, Marion Regional Healthcare System provides the best in medical technology and is home to some of the area’s most advanced medical equipment.  They are credited as being the first hospital in the Pee Dee to offer digital mammography and are one of the only hospitals in the State to feature TechnoGym equipment in their Wellness Center and Cardiac Rehab Unit. Their new Sleep Lab is the most technologically advanced system on the market today.