Authors (including presenting author) :
Lai HW(1), Wang YX(1), Lui NFJ(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Introduction :
With the extension of employment up to age 65 in Hospital Authority, the number of older employees is increasing. Older employees are more vulnerable to work-related injury as the natural aging process may accompanied by declined functional capacity and the presence of multiple comorbidities. Staff injuries on duty cause negative effects on employee wellbeing, decrease job satisfaction and organization manpower stability. It’s essential to support the physical and mental well-being of staff to relieve post injury symptoms and foster recovery whenever needed. Existing staff training and education activities within the department includes regular Manual Handling Operation training through E-learning and transfer skill training workshops. To tailed effective support and enhance staff wellbeing, the Occupational Therapy Department planned and implemented a staff safety and wellbeing program to enhance safe working environment, reduce the risk of staff injuries and enhance staff productivity and satisfaction.
Objectives :
The program aims to identify potential risks in workplace that could lead to staff injuries and to establish a regular staff fitness promoting group to optimize staff overall fitness and well-being.
Methodology :
Before the program, a survey was conducted to assess the needs of Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) in Occupational Therapy Department regarding staff’s health concerns. The results showed that 34.6% of the PCA staff are aged 60 or above in our department. For cumulative trauma disorder aspect, 59.3% of the PCA staff experienced back pain, 51.9% of them experienced knee pain and 22.2% of the PCA staff reported experiencing wrist pain. Only 7.4% of them have the habit of performing warm-up activities prior to heavy lifting.
In February 2024, the Staff Safety and Wellbeing program started with an assistants training workshop. Occupational Therapists reinforced PCA staff the safe working protocols, reinforced ergonomic techniques in clinical work. Commence from April 2024, a therapist-led Health Qigong program was organized on every Tuesdays and Thursdays for PCA staff providing in-patient service. They perform 15 minutes warm-ups and Health Qigong Ba Duan Jin before starting clinical duties. At the same time, a poster was also created and distributed to the PCAs in order to provide guidance and encourage to develop a habit of perform warm-up exercise before work.
Meanwhile, occupational therapists lead staff in groups continually discuss and identify potential work environment hazards and implement modification projects to create a safer working environment. The department encourages PCAs to report injuries during work in order to support the staff and provide prompt response. A post survey was conducted 9-month after the initiation of program.
Result & Outcome :
There are 12 PCAs actively participated 71 sessions of therapist-lead Health Qigong. According to the 9-month survey, more than 80% of the PCAs showed satisfaction towards the Staff Safety and Wellbeing Program. The awareness of PCAs regularly self-perform warm-up exercise before work increased from 7.4% to 25%. 81.8% PCA staff believed the program and actions taken were helpful for staff injury prevention. No IOD episodes since the initiation of the Staff Safety and Wellbeing program.'
The Staff Safety and Wellbeing Program showed positive effect in staff satisfaction and overall wellbeing. It enhanced worksite safety, reduced the risk of staff injury, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce. In long run, we plan to continue the ongoing practice and expand the program to staff whose duty related in Manual Handling Operation (MHO) in our department.
