RTs and Ergonomics: Preventing Occupational Injuries Among Medical Imaging Professionals

Jessyca B. Wagner, PhD, R.T.(R), CIIP*

^*Lead Diagnostic Imaging Educator, Clover Learning, Inc.; Adjunct Professor, Radiologic Sciences, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and North Central Texas College, Gainesville, TX.

Address correspondence to: Jessyca B. Wagner, PhD, R.T.(R), CIIP. E-mail: jessyca@cwelite.com.

Disclosure statement: The author reports having no significant financial or advisory relationships with corporate organizations related to this activity.

ABSTRACT

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons and can include sprains, strains, and tears, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and hernias. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) occur as a result of workers lifting heavy items, bending, reaching, working in awkward body postures, and performing repetitive tasks. These actions are common among radiologic technologists (RTs), sonographers, and other medical imaging professionals; therefore, there is typically a high rate of occurrence of WRMSDs among these workers. The most common sites of WRMSDs for RTs are the lower back, shoulders, and neck; in sonographers, the wrist and hand are also commonly affected. To help prevent WRMSDs, it is important for workers and their employers to employ proper ergonomic principles to fit the job to the person and minimize the risk of these injuries. Ergonomics is the study of matching job requirements and environment to the worker to maximize efficiency, quality, and quantity of work while minimizing WRMSDs, fatigue, and overexertion. WRMSDs are one of the leading causes of lost workdays due to injury and illness. These can be costly for the employee and the employer; however, the cost is not just economical. WRMSDs can affect a person's quality of life and mental health as well. For medical imaging professionals, using proper body mechanics when lifting and positioning patients, taking breaks whenever possible, stretching, and exercising can help heal current WRMSDs and prevent future occurrences. This continuing education (CE) course will explain the science of ergonomics and its importance to RTs and medical imaging professionals, common injuries that RTs of many modalities sustain, and ways to prevent these injuries. The ways in which technological advances are impacting the way workers can prevent WRMSDs will also be examined.