Comprehensive risk assessment of the patient transfer task using the walking belt and floor lift.

Purpose: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) during bed-to-wheelchair and wheelchair-to-commode transfers are a significant concern, yet prior assessments often focused on specific subtasks, overlooking potential cumulative risks.

Methods: This study employed Xsens Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and force plates integrated with an automated Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) system to provide a continuous and comprehensive evaluation of WMSDs risks associated with the use of a walking belt and a floor lift.

Results: The continuous assessment revealed peak REBA scores ranging from 8.81 to 9.19, categorizing tasks such as applying the sling, repositioning the patient from supine to sitting, and adjusting the wheelchair footrest as high-risk. During bed-to-wheelchair transfers, the floor lift significantly reduced the mean peak REBA score by 1.73 points (95% CI [1.23, 2.24], p < 0.001) and the mean vertical force by 14.68 N (95% CI [10.15, 19.22], p < 0.001) compared to the walking belt.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the value of a continuous risk assessment approach in identifying high-risk tasks and informing targeted ergonomic interventions. The results underscore the need for optimizing patient handling practices and developing advanced assistive devices to enhance caregiver safety and efficiency.