Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Working Postures of Emergency Medical Personnel with Rapid Assessment Methods.
Studies in health technology and informatics · 2025-08-07 · Observational study
Abstract
Based on hospitals' electronic health records (EHRs), emergency medical responders work in high-stress and hazardous environments, making ergonomics an essential tool for assessing and reducing the risks associated with improper work postures to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The objective is to evaluate the risk of work postures and recommend improvements to prevent future injuries. In this research, the REBA (rapid entire body assessment) and RULA (rapid upper limb assessment) methods were used to evaluate the ergonomic risks of common work postures of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel during their duties in scenarios such as lifting and moving the patient at the scene, performing medical procedures in the ambulance, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the ambulance. The results indicated that the ergonomic risks of work postures for emergency medical responders had an average REBA score ranging from 9.20 to 11.49, which falls within a high to very high-risk level. Meanwhile, the average RULA score for upper limb work ranged from 5.50 to 6.61, indicating a risk level that requires necessary changes soon. In summary, this assessment helps us identify potential risks associated with work that could impact the health and safety of medical personnel. It may also contribute to developing preventive measures and improvements in field operations.