ABSTRACT
This investigation focuses on physical workload assessment of health care stuff. The aim of this study was to evaluate the work load during shift work of ward nurses and assistants of nurses using the heart rate monitoring. The study group involved 30 ward nurses and 30 assistants of nurses, who complained about hard working conditions. The work heaviness degree depending on workers physical activity (intensity) was estimated by objective method heart rate monitoring (HRM). HRM was performed using Heart Rate Monitor device. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for ward nurses and assistants of nurses was also assessed using Borg rating scale. The results show that the total energy expenditure of assistants of nurses in day and night shifts was significantly higher than ward nurses. Therefore, the heart rate monitoring is effective objective method for evaluating physical load for health care stuff.
