CHAPTER 16: ERGONOMICS
comfort of the nurse. The quality of patient care is
ERGONOMICS
The word “ergonomics” comes from a Greek word ergo,
meaning work, and nomos, meaning law
Ergonomics a relatively new science, looks at the
between people and machines. It attempts to define
working conditions that enhance individual safety,
comfort, and productivity
The following isa list of the various parts of ISO 92.41
ergonomics Requirements for Office Work with Visual
Display Terminals (VDTs)
Part 1: General Introduction
Part 2: Guidance on task requirements
Part 3: visual Display Requirements
Part 4: Keyboard Requirements
Part 5: Workstation Layout and Postural Requirements
Part 6: Environmental Requirements
Part 7: Display Requirements with Reflections
Part 8: Requirements for Displayed Colors
Part 9: Requirements for Nonkeyboard Input Devices
Part 10: Dialogue Principles
Part 11: Guidance on Usability Specification and
Measures
Part 12: Presentation of Information
Part 13: User Guidance
Part 14: Menu Dialogues
Part 15: Common Dialogues
Part 16: Direct Manipulation
Part 17: Form-Filling Dialogues
NURSING COMPUTER WORKSTATION
The nursing computer workstations has two
components: hardware (the physical equipment) and
software (the program to enter, retrieve, and process
information).
The hardware normally has a way to enter data and
commands and a way to display data and results. How
this is accomplished primarily affects the physical
determined by how accurately data can be entered and
how easily retrieved information can be interpreted and
comprehend by the nurse. The effect of the presence of
bedside terminals on the patient-nurse relationship has
not been well documented.
PHYSIOLOGICAL CONCERNS
Much research has been done regarding the
physiological aspects of VDT workstations. The terms
VDT, video display unit (VDU), video matrix terminal
(VMT), cathode ray terminal (CRT), and monitor are
synonymous. Some users of VDTs complain of
ergonomic shortcomings such as strained postures,
poor photometric display characteristics, and
inadequate lighting conditions. Others claim that the
complaints are symptoms of a health hazard requiring
immediate measures to protect the health of operators.
EYE STRAIN
SCREEN RESOLUTION
the displayed size of the characters on the screen can
contribute to eyestrain.
The cathode ray tube used in computer terminals are
identical to those found in television sets. It is
essentially a glass vacuum tube encased in a lead seal
with an electron gun in opposition to a phosphor-
coated screen.
FLICKER
Flicker on the screen also causes eye strain. Two
characteristics of the screen
play a crucial role in reducing flicker: persistence and
refresh rate.
Persistence is the length of time the phosphors remain
illuminated after being electrically excited.
Refresh rate is the frequency with which each point on
the surface of the screen is reilluminated by electrical
excitation. The refresh rate must be frequent enough so
persistence of the phosphor seems to fade away.
COLOR
The color of the display does not seem to be a major
physiological factor. The choice of the phosphor to be
used in the screen is determined by the phosphor’s
grain, its luminescence, its color, and its persistence directed toward the psychological aspects of
(rate of decay). ergonomics (Helander and Tham, 2003: Riva, 2003).
Unfortunately, the psychological aspects of the human–
GLARE
machine interface continue to be approached in a
Glare also contributes to eyestrain among users. highly subjective, emotional, and personal fashion.
Although lighting conditions do not appear to influence
HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE
the choice of screen phosphor color, they are of
considerable ergonomic significance in relation to glare. The latest techniques in computer program
Glare occurs when the range of luminances in the visual development consider the user’s cognitive abilities,
field is too great Glare causes distractions, visual including memory load, visual scanning, and
discomfort, reduced legibility, and reduced visual formulation of mental models. These techniques make
acuity. it easier for the user to enter data and comprehend
information. These techniques address the following
CONTRAST
issues.
Contrast examines how the use of color compatibility
* Dialogue design: intelligent or adaptive interfaces
affects human performance under the
* Input methods: windows, icons, mouse, and pointer
effect of reflected glare.
environments
POSTURE
* Screen design: graphical–user interfaces
The presence of rotating, tilt, and swivel mechanisms to
* Attention-getting techniques: use of color
allow adjustment of the screen is also important in
helping the operator maintain proper posture. * Consistency in the appearance of screen information,
error messages, and
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) specifications for visual display terminal (VDT) system usage
use show (1) height of keys at 29–31 inches; (2) optimal
* Also, these techniques meet the subjective criteria by
viewing distance 17–25 inches; (3) screen center 10–20
which their advocates evaluate them. However, further
degrees below the plane of the operator’s eye height;
research is required to determine if they meet the
(4) angle between upper and lower arm 80–120
psychological ergonomic needs of other users.
degrees; (5) wrist angle less than 10 degrees; (6)
keyboard at or below elbow height; (7) ample leg room. VARIETY OF INPUT/OUTPUT MEDIA
(From Computers Medicine 2, no. 5, September 1982,
with permission.) There has been a move away from total reliance on the
keyboard for input and the monochrome display for
Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD), also known as output. Individuals can use speech for both input and
repetitive stress injury (RSI) is a major concern for output, color graphics, physiologic probes, and
nurses as the amount of time spent working on computer mice to facilitate keyboard use.
computers increases
RESEARCH NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES
PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCERNS
A psychological aspect of computing ergonomics that
The psychological aspects of computer ergonomics have remains largely unstudied is the impact of a
been much less thoroughly researched and studied than computerized workstation on individuals’ behavior
the physiologic aspects. To some extent, this situation is within an organization.
to be expected because physiologic aspects are more
easily measured and quantified than are the
psychological aspects of computer use. However, as
hardware costs decrease, as more software is
developed, and as the physiologic aspects of
ergonomics are addressed, greater attention is being