Muscular-skeletal disorders among radiologists due to bad ergonomics may be a bigger problem than the industry realizes. Richardson Healthcare and adjustable furniture developer, Ergotron, hosted a webinar earlier this week to discuss ways that health and productivity can be improved among health care professionals who may spend the greater part of the day sitting and staring at a screen.

“Sometimes the pain is a lot more than you’d expect when you consider something like having the mouse in the wrong position or having your keyboard too high,” said Carrie Schmitz, research and ergonomics manager at Ergotron.

Making ergonomic adjustments are worthwhile from the point of view of pain and lost time, but also from a productivity standpoint, she added. Studies have shown that there was a 12 to 18 percent increase in productivity due to ergonomic intervention or training.

In her presentation, Schmitz outlined three ways that ergonomics among radiologists can be improved. Equipment, administrative decisions and workplace practices all play an important role in the solution.

Equipment

“We’re looking at an environment that needs to be productive, safe and comfortable for human use,” said Schmitz.

She recommends that the radiologist’s chair should have good padding and a waterfall edge in the front. The arms should be able to be moved vertically and horizontally, and should be removable since they can be an “unwanted crutch” for those who don’t use them. The seat should tilt and the back of it should provide support for the spine, neck and head.

Wireless input devices like split keyboards and keyboards without number pads should be used to maintain a neutral posture. A vertical mouse is also another good way to keep the radiologist’s hand in a neutral position.

Schmitz also recommends head-set voice recognition. “Anything that tethers you to the computer is going to be detrimental,” she said.

Adjustable task lights that can be changed to different angles and allow for the intensity and location to be adjusted are also important. An adjustable sit-stand desk with a work surface that provides space for everything the radiologist needs is also important.

It is recommended that radiologists stand for 30 minutes, sit for 30 minutes, and then repeat. It can reduce lower back pain, lower blood sugar and burn more calories.

A Stanford University study that investigated the use of sit-stand work stations found that it led to lower incidences of back pain, and the back pain that did occur was much less likely to cause performance or productivity issues.

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