Authors: (including presenting author): :
Chan TF(1), Ngan KTS(1), Tam CL(1), Yu CH(1), Chu WY(1), Fung YK(1)
Affiliation: :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Hospital Authority
Keyword 1: :
Occupational Health
Keyword 2: :
Manual handling operation
Keyword 3: :
injury prevention program
Keyword 4: :
improvement strategies
Introduction: :
Manual Handling Operation (MHO) is a major cause of Injury on Duty (IOD) among Hospital Authority (HA) staff. In 2017, the Physiotherapy Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital (TKOH) recorded a markedly elevated MHO-related IOD rate of 2.96%, far exceeding the HA average of 0.73%. This disparity highlighted the need for effective measures to reduce workplace injuries related to MHO in physiotherapy practice. To foster a sustainable safety culture, the department initiated a comprehensive MHO Injury Prevention Program encompassing seven improvement strategies (LEADERS).
Objectives: :
To implement a multi-faceted injury prevention program to reduce MHO-related IOD rates, improve safety practices, and achieve a resilient workforce in physiotherapy.
Methodology: :
The LEADERS strategies were implemented since mid-2018 including:
1. Leader Engagement Workplace Culture – Senior leaders actively promoted safety culture encouraging staff participation, initiated in-house training, recognition programs and resource allocation in MHO.
2. Exercise through Customized Video – Monthly structured stretching exercise program implemented to enhance staff postural awareness, flexibility, and muscle performance prior to work.
3. Audit with Behavior-Based Safety Evaluation –Targeted-basis evaluation on staff safety alertness and identification of risky practices, with sharing at staff meeting and in-service training.
4. Demonstration for High-Risk MHO Tasks – Annual return demonstration with competency tests to ensure safe manual handling on patients and equipment.
5. Ergonomic Workstation and Equipment Assessment – Bi-Monthly environmental scanning in treatment areas and assistive device on identifying risk factors with establishing equipment maintenance schedules.
6. Risk Proactive Reporting System for Injury Prevention – An open and dedicated reporting mechanism to encourage early identification of potential risks from frontline staff. 7. Safety Job Rotation Strategy – Quarterly review on duty arrangement to prevent cumulative musculoskeletal strain from particularly physically demanding activities. The MHO-related IOD rate was reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of this program.
Result & Outcome: :
Results
After implementing this program, TKOH Physiotherapy Department demonstrated a significant reduction in MHO-related average IOD rate to 0.19% compared to HA average rate (0.60%) between 2019 and 2024. All staff (100%) reported greater engagement in stretching exercises, enhanced safety alertness during MHO, and improved MHO task readiness. Conclusion
The LEADERS strategies in MHO Injury Prevention Program provide an effective and sustainable model for healthcare department, demonstrating significant reduction in IOD rate and promoting occupational health.
