Help with work formula - medical application

In summary, the conversation discusses a nurse who suffered a back injury from lifting a heavy patient and is looking for a way to calculate the amount of weight she is lifting in order to avoid future injuries. The conversation concludes that while an accurate calculation is not possible with the given information, a rough estimate of half the patient's weight or 140 lbs may be used as a guideline. It is also suggested to use a force measuring device for a more precise measurement.
  • #1
aliberty
2
0
My wife is a nurse in an intensive care unit. Last year, she suffered a back injury, and has gradually returned to almost full duty. (She has lifting and carrying restrictions placed on her by her physician, limiting the amount of weight she can lift and carry.) A few days ago, she was trying to roll an unresponsive 280 pound patient onto his side. In doing so, she strained her back, and was in pain for a couple of days. Is there a simple formula for us non-physics literate folks that would allow her to determine how much weight she is "lifting" in such a circumstance (i.e., rolling a heavy patient) based on the weight of the patient? This way, she could monitor her actions, and decline to be assigned a patient whose weight would result in exceeding the lift/carry restrictions when she has to roll him or her. Thanks so much in advance for the help.

Art Liberty
 
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  • #2
The data given is insufficient for such a calculation. A lot will depend on the body shape, stiffness of the mattress, rate of liflting the patient and things like, whether the patient's hand is in the way.

It is possible, however to make an rough estimate. Assuming the lifting is done slowly, the maximum force required would be about half the patient's weight or 140 lbs. If the patient looks more like a cylindrical log than a rectangular block, this number will be less.

An accurate calculation will most likely give a smaller number than 140 but that is a little hard to do with the available info. It might be easier to estimate this experimentally, using some force measuring device like a spring balance.
 
  • #3
Thanks. I understand this cannot be answered acurately with the limited data, but your rough estimate is helpful and should be sufficient to avoid furthyer injury.
 

1. What is the work formula in a medical application?

The work formula in a medical application is a mathematical equation that calculates the amount of work done by a force in a specific situation. It is typically represented as W = F x d, where W represents work, F represents force, and d represents distance.

2. How is the work formula used in medicine?

The work formula is used in medicine to calculate the amount of work done by a force, such as a doctor's hand, during a medical procedure. This calculation can help determine the amount of strain and fatigue on the doctor's hand, and can be used to improve techniques and reduce the risk of injury.

3. What units are used in the work formula for medical applications?

The units used in the work formula for medical applications depend on the specific situation, but typically work is measured in joules (J), force in newtons (N), and distance in meters (m).

4. Can the work formula be applied to non-physical medical tasks?

Yes, the work formula can also be applied to non-physical medical tasks, such as calculating the amount of mental or emotional work a healthcare provider may experience during a long shift. In these cases, the force may represent the mental or emotional strain, and the distance may represent the duration of the task.

5. How can understanding the work formula benefit healthcare professionals?

Understanding the work formula can benefit healthcare professionals by helping them identify potential areas of strain and fatigue in their work, and allowing them to make adjustments to improve their techniques and reduce the risk of injury. It can also help healthcare professionals better understand and manage their workload to prevent burnout.

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