Whitney Palmer

Ergonomic Designs Make Imaging Workstations More Comfortable

Published on the Oct. 4, 2011, DiagnosticImaging.com website

By Whitney L.J. Howell

Aching hands and a sore back are familiar ailments for many of those working in a digital imaging department. However, there is a trend among radiology practices and hospitals to provide workstations that are far more comfortable.

Over the past few years, industry vendors have taken great pains to produce ergonomically designed imaging tables and chairs and workstations. The goal is easing the physical stress of repetitive motions associated with

Echo Pro echocardiography ergonomic table from Biodex

performing and reviewing imaging tests, as well as chronic conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.

“There are some sonographers who suffer career-ending injuries because they don’t have comfortable workstations,” said Richard Schubert, product manager of imaging tables at design company Biodex.

In a 2008 study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, Phillip Boiselle, MD, reported 58 percent of radiologists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center experienced repetitive stress injury symptoms associated with their work. The study also determined 70 percent saw symptom improvements after using an ergonomic chair, and 80 percent had the same experience after switching to an ergonomic workstation.

“Repetitive stress symptoms are highly prevalent among radiologists working in a PACS-based environment but are responsive to ergonomic interventions,” Boiselle and his colleagues wrote. “Radiology departments should implement ergonomic initiatives to reduce the risk for repetitive stress injuries.”

To read the remainder of the article: http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/practice-management/content/article/113619/1962878

October 5, 2011 - Posted by wjpalmer | Healthcare | alleviating backache in radiology, alleviating carpal tunnel syndrome in radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center radiology department, Biodex, Biomorph, Duncan Rougier-Chapman, ergonomic imaging tables, ergonomic radiology equipment, ergonomic radiology furinture, flexing hands before reading images, MD, phillip boiselle, richard schubert, Wake Radiology