Healthcare worker injuries and illnesses
- Many healthcare workers face greater risk of injury or illness on the job than manufacturing and construction workers.
- Top injuries and illness include sprains, strains, and tears; soreness and pain; bruises and contusions; and fractures.
Statistics show that healthcare facilities ARE hazardous places to work! For example, people might typically think of manufacturing and construction as industries that are relatively hazardous. Yet, it turns out the injury and illness incidence rates for hospitals and nursing and residential care facilities are HIGHER than in manufacturing and construction! The bottom line is that healthcare workers face great risk of injury or illness on the job.
| Industry code | Industry name | Incidence rate of nonfatal work injuries/illnesses per 100 workers involving days away from work: | |||||
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||
| 621 | Ambulatory healthcare services | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.6 |
| -- | Private industry | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| 31 to 33 | Manufacturing | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| 23 | Construction | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| 6221 | General medical/surgical hospitals | 1.3 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| 6222 | Psychiatric/substance abuse hospitals | 2.8 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 2.4 |
| 623 | Nursing/residential care facilities | 1.8 | 1.7 | 7.9 | 4.0 | 6.1 | 6.8 |
Work injuries and illnesses come at a high cost — workers’ compensation, medical costs, temporary staffing, overtime, turnover, and so on. In fact, overtime is associated with worker fatigue, injury, and stress, which have been tied to a higher risk of medication error and patient infections. On the other hand, a healthy, stable workforce creates an atmosphere conducive to patient confidence and satisfaction.
Healthcare facilities should see huge cost savings if they can find ways to lower the number of worker injuries and illnesses, especially musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), disorders that affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. Examples include low-back injuries, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Injury and illness data
The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that from 2021 to 2022 the top four injuries or illnesses with days away from work for ambulatory healthcare services, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities are:
- Sprains, strains, and tears,
- Soreness and pain,
- Bruises and contusions, and
- Fractures.
Other injuries and illnesses with days away included:
- Multiple traumatic injuries;
- Cuts, lacerations, and punctures;
- Heat (thermal burns);
- Carpal tunnel syndrome;
- Chemical burns and corrosion;
- Tendonitis; and
- Amputations.