The implementation study of nurses’ work related low back pain prevention and care guideline: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Aim

To understand the implementation process and outcomes of nurses' work related low back pain (WLBP) prevention and care guideline.

Background

WLBP is a common occupational injury for clinical nurses. We developed the first evidence-based guideline of nurses' WLBP prevention and care of its kind both at home and abroad, and it is necessary for us to explore its feasibility, appropriateness and effectiveness in practice.

Methods

Based on the model of the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services, we performed a four-phase implementation study in a tertiary hospital. The study was a non-randomized concurrent controlled trial design，and multilevel measures were examined including implementation outcomes and clinical outcomes.

Results

For the implementation outcomes, the tailored recommendations of the guideline were found to be acceptable, appropriate, feasible, and well adopted both at the unit level and the hospital level. The clinical outcomes indicated that, compared with the control unit, nurses of the treatment unit performed better in awareness, knowledge, practice of WLBP prevention and care.

Conclusions

The implementation study supports the successful application of the guideline, which can serve as a valuable evidence-based document to improve back health of nursing personnel.