Riesgos ergonómicos en el personal de enfermería del área de emergencia de un Hospital de la ciudad de Guayaquil.

Abstract

For nursing staff working in hospital wards, ergonomic risks pose a serious problem with the potential to negatively affect workers’ physical well-being as well as the quality of their performance. Objective: To determine the ergonomic risks to which nursing staff in the emergency department of a hospital in the city of Guayaquil are exposed and their relationship to the presence of musculoskeletal disorders. Methodology: Quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Population: 50 nurses in the emergency department; survey method; data collected using the Nordic Standardized Questionnaire on Musculoskeletal Symptoms (NMQ), a validated instrument; data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Numerous high-risk factors were identified, such as manual patient handling, forced postures, and prolonged standing among nursing staff. Frequent conditions affecting the staff were also recognized, such as low back pain and neck pain, as well as a notable lack of recent ergonomic training for many. Conclusion: Significant ergonomic risks were identified among nursing staff in the emergency department, which were associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Given this reality, it is necessary to focus on strengthening preventive measures and providing ongoing training in ergonomics. This not only helps improve working conditions but also protects occupational health and maximizes the quality of care provided.