Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to observe and describe the work environment of veterinary nurses, focused on fysical ergonomics, in a Small Animal hospital.

Method: An observational study was made in the stationary ward in an animal hospital. The observation was based on a checklist from the Swedish Work Environment Authority. Six veterinary nurses was observed over three hours when they nursed the patients. The checklist contained paragraphs concerning work postures, manuell work, knowledge, competence and the design of the workplace.

Result: The results was divided into three categories; red, yellow and green. The red meant that there was ha high risk for all or most of the personnel of getting musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), the yellow meant that there was a risk for some in the personnel of getting MSDs and the green meant that nobody or just a few in the personnel were at risk of getting MSDs. The result showed that in some paragraphs there was a high risk for the personnel of getting musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs). Knowledge and competence was the paragraph that resulted in only red answers.

Conclusion: The result shows that in many cases there is a risk for the personal of getting MSDs over a short or longterm. Because the observation was made in one hospital during one occasion of three hours with six veterinary nurses the result can only be seen as a potential risk of MSDs for veterinary nurses. More research must be made to determine veterinary nurses work environment in animal hospitals, focused on fysical ergonomics.