Ergonomic products will be a solution for ergonomic hazards. Ergonomics is a pain in the neck. And wrist. And back. And other parts of the human anatomy. Technically, ergonomics is about preventing the conditions that cause those maladies.
But many computer users in health care organizations couldn't define ergonomics in a technical sense. Instead, they have a practical view that usually goes something like this: "I have a crick in my neck from using this computer."
Provider and payer organizations are spending more time and money on preventing those pains from occurring among administrative and clinical computer users. Reasons range from productivity to liability: product that hinders efficient data entry by causing users physical fatigue or injury is counterproductive.
Solutions can be as simple-and inexpensive-as adjusting body position with respect to ergonomics products while at the keyboard or placing a wooden box on the floor as a footrest.
They also can be as complex as providing adjustable desks to change work surface height and sound systems that produce neutral, or "white," background noise to combat loud environments.
Wrist warmers, an ergonomic mouse, monitor stands and screens and other ergonomic products are among the ergonomic products that lessen injury from repetitive use of monitors and keyboards.
The most popular Ergonomic Products in a Workplace are:
Your computer's keyboard, monitor and mouse are among the most common culprits contributing to repetitive stress injuries. Some changes in work habits and inexpensive ergonomic products may keep the doctor away.
Ergonomic products – Keyboard:
Keep your wrist level when using the keyboard or mouse. Your hand, wrist and forearm should be aligned, tilted no more than 10 degrees upward or downward, says Mark Rau, an ergonomic specialist at the National Hospital for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, in Arlington, Va.
Ergonomic products - Mouse
Beware the mouse. The constant clicking with an index finger can irritate delicate structures within the wrist. In addition to placing a wrist rest before your mouse, you can avoid some irritation by occasionally reconfiguring the mouse driver so another finger does the clicking duty for a while. Or try a different mouse out for size
Ergonomic products - Monitor
Adjust your monitor. It should be directly in front of you and an arm's length away. The top of the screen should be between your eyes and nose so you look slightly downward to read. A telephone book or two under the monitor might place it in the right spot, or you can buy a variety of simple plastic monitor stands for $10 to $20. Among the more elaborate solutions are monitor-holding arms that adjust like a dentist's overhead lamp.
Ergonomic products- Keyboard Trays
Keyboard trays combined with adjustable monitors and chairs are some solutions health care organizations use to head off ergonomics-related problems. With the exception of the recent influx of hand-held devices, most health care workers encounter conventional computers in workstations or on rolling carts.
Ergonomic products – Hand-held Devices
Ergonomics issues regarding hand-held devices are being monitored and, experts say, early complaints include eye strain related to reading information displayed on small PDA screens and muscle fatigue associated with "pecking" out text on simulated, onscreen keyboards.
