Dermatology World March 2012 Supplement : Page 7
By AllisOn evAns , STAFF EdITOr T he height of arm rests on chairs. The type of keyboards used for computing. Patient positioning. Why should dermatologists pay special attention to these seemingly simple decisions? Because they can have a substantial effect on a practice’s morale, productivity, and revenue. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), businesses spend $170 billion a year on costs associated with occupational injuries and illnesses, and these costs are taken directly from a company’s profit. But when businesses start to tend to the health and safety needs of their employees, these costs can be reduced by 20 to 40 percent, increasing a practice’s bottom line. it’s a science Jonathan Puleio, director of consulting for Humanscale, a company that specializes in designing ergonomic work tools for computer users, defined ergonomics as “the science of fitting tasks to workers based on the known capabilities and limitations of the human body.” It’s a science not covered in one’s basic dermatology training; nonetheless, many medical practices are faced with tasks and situations that could cause both physicians and their employees harm, ranging from computer station setup to the way dermatologists perform surgical procedures. According to the Cornell University Ergonomics Web (CUErgo) at www.ergo.human.cornell.edu, ergonomics is a benefit for companies, not a cost, because employees are one of the largest costs to modern businesses. Companies spend a lot of time and effort hiring the right person for the job, and if employees are injured and no longer able to work, then companies may lose valuable resources replacing lost candidates and money from worker compensation claims. Hire a consultant Puleio recommends that businesses start addressing ergonomic concerns by inviting a consultant to the practice. “The best starting point is observation because it allows the ergonomist to better understand existing postural challenges. From there, improvement strategies can be formulated and implemented,” he said. >> 7 supplement to dermatology World // March 2012
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