ABSTRACT
While there has been a steady decline in the rates of most occupational injuries starting in 1992, work-
related musculoskeletal disorders in nursing continue to rise.1 Nursing personnel continue to be listed as
among the top ten high-risk occupations, with injury rates reported as 8.8 per 100 in hospital settings and
13.5 per 100 in nursing home settings.2 These incidence rates are considered to be low estimates, since
underreporting of injuries in nursing is common.3 Internationally, the prevalence of back injury in
nursing, is estimated to be 17%, with an annual prevalence of 40 to 50%, and a lifetime prevalence of
35 to 80%.4
