An evaluation of two schedule proposals in a Central sterile supply department;Objective Measurements and Subjective ratings and Experiences

The combination of forceful manual exertions, repetitive motion, insufficient recovery time, and heavy lifting is one of the primary contributors to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in working life. Different work shifts need to be evaluated in real workplaces to make sure they provide adequate recovery. For healthcare support workers in central sterile service departments (CSSD), work consists mainly of manual work. At the CSSD at Karolinska University Hospital, the worksite manager wished to evaluate how different types of schedules affect the workers' experience and whether the schedules have acceptable conditions for physical load and noise. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate two different work schedules in terms of worker-perceived recovery and if noise and physical load are under recommended or stated limit values in research-based risk assessment methods in the CSSD. This thesis concludes that the noise measured was all under limit values for both schedules, and no major differences were found. The physical load was too high for both schedules for some of the workers but not all. Schedule 2 had a job reduction of hours but a longer shift in the pre-wash area. This schedule was preferred even though the perceived and measured workload of schedule 2 was higher than schedule one. The main reason was that workers described liking this schedule more and rated the overall recovery higher. Schedule, one offered more rotation of tasks in the two major working sections, “pre-wash area” and “packing area.” This schedule was perceived by the workers to lead to less pain and aches after work shifts on a daily basis. All recommendations from this thesis's findings are presented in the HTO model to identify solutions within the interplay between human, technological and organizational work system components.