Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain in Critical Care Nurses and the Impact of Specialist Critical Care Beds

Carter, Chris and Maphenduka, Nsonga and Notter, Joy (2026) Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain in Critical Care Nurses and the Impact of Specialist Critical Care Beds. International Journal of Critical Care, 20 (2). pp. 23-36. ISSN 2816-9050

Preview

Text 1039-Carter-Musculoskeleatal-Production+final_WP-1.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (581kB)

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries is an ongoing issue for nurses working in critical care units globally and the use of specialist critical care beds have been identified as a way to mitigate injuries and improve nursing care. However, information on prevalence on the incidence of MSK pain amongst critical care nurses in Zambia and the use of specialist critical care beds in low-income countries is limited. Aim: The aims of this service evaluation were to: identify and explore the types of MSK pain reported by nurses assess the effectiveness of the implementation of specialist critical care beds in a tertiary hospital critical care unit in Zambia. Methods: A self-reporting questionnaire which was adapted from a similar study was used. Ethics and local hospital approval was given to conduct this service evaluation. Quantitative datasets were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative datasets. Results: 36 (90%) out of 40 nurses returned questionnaires. It was a cause for concern that many respondents (n=26) reporting some form of MSK pain. However, many respondents (n=34) reported the introduction of new critical care beds improved nursing care. Both the quantitative and qualitative datasets complimented each other, and two key themes were identified: prevention of staff injury and patient safety. Conclusion: The findings from this service evaluation confirmed the reported incidence of MSK amongst critical care nurses is high and the use of specialist critical care beds can help to reduce pain and improve nursing care provided to critically ill patients.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.29173/ijcc1039
Dates:	Date Event 16 July 2025 Accepted 12 May 2026 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	critical care, musculoskeletal pain, low resource countries, critical care nurses, critically ill patients, Zambia
Subjects:	CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-04 - nursing and midwifery > CAH02-04-02 - adult nursing
Divisions:	Nursing and Midwifery > Adult Nursing
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	09 Oct 2026 14:33
Last Modified:	09 Oct 2026 14:33
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/17268

Actions (login required)

View Item