Biomechanical risk and musculoskeletical disorders in surgical instrumentators workers who work in sterilization

Abstract

Introduction: Biomechanical risks are applications of repetitive moves, forces and postures that an individual adopts when carrying out a specific activity with the probability of suffering an incident, accident or occupational disease. Objective: To identify the biomechanical risks associated with musculoskeletal disorders in surgical instrumentators who work in sterilization centers in 5 health institutions in Barranquilla. Method: A descriptive study waas conducted with participation of 29 surgical instrumentators answering Kourinka's Nordic questionnaire, based on corresponding ethical principles. Results: 35% of those surveyed reported discomfort in the wrist, 32% discomfort in the dorsolumbar region, 21% experienced discomfort in the neck, and 14% experienced some type of discomfort or pain in the elbow or forearm. The danger and risk assessment matrix in two of the five institutions showed that the risk is very high in the processes of reception, preparation, packaging, sterilization, storage and delivery. Conclusions: The risks identified were: cargo handling affecting the lumbar area, forced postures in packaging and sterilization activities generating discomfort in the wrist. Diseases such as epicondylitis, foot pain, telangiectasia and carpal tunnel syndrome were evident.