Americans depend on healthcare workers to help keep them healthy and care for them when they’re not. Their expertise, caring and commitment are the backbone of our healthcare system.
However, healthcare workers face significant challenges, and injuries and illnesses are common in this profession.
In healthcare settings, such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, staff work long hours in high-pressure environments. Due to the national nursing shortage crisis, healthcare workers often work short-staffed, adding to the fatigue and stress. In the course of their duties, they face multiple challenges and a high risk of physical injury. Here are the three most common injuries among healthcare workers:
1. Musculoskeletal injuries
Healthcare workers are often lifting, transferring or repositioning patients. They frequently work in a confined space or an awkward position, leading to strained muscles, ligaments and joints. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the nursing industry are higher than in any other sector and are the most common cause of disability.
2. Needlestick and sharps injuries
Healthcare staff are often handling needles, razors and other sharp tools, which can result in puncture injuries. These place the workers at risk of bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Every year, hospitals experience approximately 385,000 needlestick and other sharps injuries, breaking down to over 1,000 each day.
3. Slips, trips and falls
Working in environments filled with potential hazards, such as spilled liquids and cluttered rooms and hallways, increases the likelihood of injury due to slips, trips and falls. These unsafe conditions result in injuries that could range from minor bruising to a fracture or traumatic brain injury.
Employers are required to provide their employees with a safe working environment. But accidents can still occur. If you’re injured at work, workers’ compensation insurance can provide benefits while you recover from your injuries. Talking to someone who understands the claims process can help ensure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled to.
