Ergonomics appraisals in operating rooms

Abstract

This document presents the ergonomic assessments carried out by Spanish surgeons on the materials used within an operating room. With the objective of disseminating and raising awareness of the importance of ergonomics, this working group has compiled information from a previously conducted survey on musculoskeletal disorders associated with surgical work from the year 2022, obtaining feedback from 131 surgeons from 17 distinct specialties. A noteworthy 80.2 % of surveyed surgeons reported having experienced forced postures during surgery, and 96.9 % believe that their physical discomfort is a result of the posture adopted during operations. Such postures can result in the development of pathologies and may have a direct impact on work performance and even in extreme cases, it can lead to sick leave or early retirement. By providing their insights on electronic devices, surgical furniture, and instrumentation, surgeons can help identify areas for improvement in the practice of their profession.

Keywords:
Occupational health; General surgery; Ergonomics; Risk; Work

HIGHLIGHTS

100 % of the surgeons surveyed consider that improvements must be made in their work environment.

Direct appraisals from surgeons about the main components in an operating room can be a valuable source of information for future developments in the field.

Raise visibility in ergonomics, which may improve surgical conditions.