EARLY INTERVENTION FOR BACK-INJURED NURSES AT A LARGE CANADIAN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL - AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS AND COST-BENEFITS OF A 2-YEAR PILOT PROJECT

This study evaluated a two-year multidisciplinary early intervention p ilot programme for back-injured nurses employed at a large teaching ho spital, using a pre-versus post-programme analysis. The purpose was to ascertain whether this programme could reduce the incidence, morbidit y, time lost and cost due to back injuries in the 250 nurses employed on ten targeted high-risk wards. Injuries in the remaining 1395 nurses employed on the other 45 wards were monitored concurrently for compar ison. The programme consisted of prompt assessment, treatment and reha bilitation through modified work. Evaluative data were gathered by one research nurse on standardized forms at the time of injury, weekly un til return to work, and at a six-month follow-up. Time lost and cost d ata for up to one-year post-injury were prior to introduction of the p rogramme, the rates of back injuries and lost-time back injuries decre ased by 23% and 43%, respectively, on the targeted wards, while these increased on the control wards. Combined expenditure was 32% lower per injury and 34% lower per lost-time injury for those in the targeted g roup who consented to take part in the programme compared to their cou nterparts on the control wards, as the increased assessment and treatm ent costs per case attributable to the programme were more than offset by the saving in lower compensation(wage loss) costs. This programme thus reduced the incidence and time lost due to back injuries and was cost-beneficial.