Occupational Therapy

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Browsing Occupational Therapy by Author "Andrews, Blanche Nathalie"

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    Occupational injuries reported at Tygerberg Academic Hospital: 2008-2014
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12) Andrews, Blanche Nathalie; Meintjes, Willem Albertus Jacobus; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. Occupational Therapy.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: Occupational injuries constitute a huge burden worldwide with significant cost implications. The highest rates and numbers for occupational injuries are found within the healthcare industry in many countries. There is a lack of up-to-date South African statistics. Methods: A retrospective cohort study with a cross-sectional component was performed at Tygerberg Academic Hospital. PERSAL and injury on duty data was analysed for a seven-year period ranging from 2008-2014. Results: A total of 6971 employees contributed 21206.99 person-years from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2014. Of these employees, 574 individuals sustained 715 injury events. Statistically significantly higher injury rates were found among Non-Clinical staff compared to Clinical staff for most variables assessed. Non-Clinical staff had a 1.91 times increased risk of injury relative to Clinical staff (p<0.001). However, Nursing Professionals had 1.4 times higher odds of injuries with worse outcomes (as measured by the number of sick days reported) (p=0.021). Conclusions: Evidence based interventions need to be implemented to protect the South African healthcare industry workforce. Particular attention should be given to the musculoskeletal injury events among Nursing professionals. More research is required to confirm and clarify the trends identified within this research project.