An Overlooked Hazard for Operating Room Nurses: Ergonomic Risks and Consequences Related to Working Position

<b>Background:</b> A working environment designed for employee comfort and safety reduces occupational risks. In hospitals, the health of service providers should be protected as much as the patients' health. During care practices, nurses interact with their environment and the equipment as well as the patients. Protecting nurses' health and welfare in the working environment is related to the protection of individual, family, and community health. The study was conducted to determine the risks of operating room nurses' body postures and working conditions in the operating room in terms of musculoskeletal disorders and the effects of these risks on nurses. <b>Method:</b> This descriptive study examined the ergonomic risk assessments of operating room nurses' intraoperative positions and their musculoskeletal problems. The "Nurse Introductory Characteristics Form," "Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire," and "Rapid Entire Body Assessment Tool" were used to collect data. <b>Results:</b> It was determined that the intraoperative body positions of nurses carry a medium-high level of ergonomic risk; they mostly experience musculoskeletal disorders between the ages of 23.5 and 25.03, and the most affected regions are the neck and lower back. A significant difference was determined between the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders and total working time, working style, receiving undergraduate ergonomics training, and participating in regular sports (<i>p</i> < 0.05). An increase in working years increased the risk, while receiving undergraduate ergonomics training decreased it. <b>Conclusions:</b> Nurse-specific recommendations should be developed to prevent ergonomic risks in the operating room and their negative consequences. Undergraduate training including these recommendations is effective in developing positive behaviors regarding the management of ergonomic risks.