Background

Documenting the progression of acute to chronic work-related musculoskeletal injuries: A national survey of ultrasound users.

Literature consistently reports the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries (WRMSI) among ultrasound users (aka. Sonographers, Sonologists, etc ) at up to 90%.1-3 An employer may spend up to $200,000 in annual costs for direct care, lost revenues, and replacement workers for each injured sonographer.4 Moreover, as many as 20% of sonographers report changing careers or retiring early due to work-related musculoskeletal discomfort.5 As workforce voids are created by injured professionals,6-7 a rise in lifestyle diseases and a rapidly aging population has led to increasing demand for medical imaging.  Given the prevalence of identified risks and forecasted growth, there is a critical need to address risk of WRMSI in ultrasound users.

 

References

  1. Necas M.: Musculoskeletal symptomatology and repetitive strain injuries in Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: A pilot study in Washington and Oregon. J Diag Med Sono. 1996; 12: 266-273.
  2. Evans KD, Roll SC, Baker JB: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) among registered diagnostic medical sonographers and vascular technologists: A representative sample. J Diag Med Sono. 2009; 25: 287-299.
  3. Shapiro, S. L., Astin, J. A., Bishop, S. R., Cordova, M. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals: Results From a Randomized Trial. International Journal of Stress Management. 2005;12:164-176.
  4. Pew R, Drury C, Andersson G, et al: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Report, Workshop Summary, and Workshop Papers. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 1999.
  5. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Industry Standards for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Consensus Conference on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Sonography. Plano, TX: Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography; 2003. http://www.soundergonomics.com/pdf/WRMSDweb.pdf.
  6. Naomi, C. Strategies for eliminating the sonographer shortage: recruitment, retention, and educational perspectives. J Diag Med Sono. 2004;20:408-413.
  7. Radiology Business. Hard-working ultrasound techs continue to suffer with musculoskeletal issues. 8/12/16 http://www.radiologybusiness.com/sponsored/1339/topics/diagnostic-imaging/hard-working-ultrasound-techs-continue-suffer-musculoskeletal-pain   Last accessed 9/1/20