Affiliations: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI,
USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Phyllis King, PhD, OT, FAOTA,
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, P.O. Box
413, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA. Tel.: +1 414 229 5616; Fax: +1 414 229 5100;
E-mail: pking@uwm.edu
Abstract: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been recognized as a serious
hazard to the health and safety of sonographers. Recommendations have been made
on ways to reduce and prevent the frequency and severity of these disorders.
The purpose of this study was to ascertain the impact ergonomics has had on the
prevalence of MSDs among cardiac sonographers. Three hundred randomly selected
Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers were surveyed. Eighty-one
respondents completed the survey. The majority of the sample population was
female with an average age of 40 and job tenure between 6–15 years. Ninety
percent of respondents reported musculoskeletal pain/discomfort while scanning.
Seventy-three percent of respondents perceived a need for ergonomic
interventions. The majority of respondents were aware of previously recommended
ergonomic interventions and had implemented what was feasible. Still, the
experience of pain and discomfort, and incidence of MSDs remains exceptionally
high for this occupation. It appears that recommended ergonomic interventions
have not had a significant impact on improving the health and safety of cardiac
sonographers.
