squashing this one-
size-fits-all notion in
their instrument
designs, offering
smaller handle sizes or
tools that require less
manual force to oper-
ate, says Dr. Peterson.
"Lap instruments are
traditionally designed
using data for the 'com-
mon man,' not woman,"
he adds.
For your OR tables, focus on height-adjustable options that move
with a quick and easy press of a foot pedal or button. "I'm 5-foot-3, so
I have to stand on several stools to be at the right height at the OR
table," says Dr. Kueck. "Manufacturers are making tables that go
down way lower to accommodate those who are shorter."
3. Avoid slips, trips and falls
Products aimed at reducing slips, trips and falls don't only make the
OR more comfortable to work in, but also less dangerous, says Dr.
Kueck. Drapes with pockets that capture runoff from messy proce-
dures, wicking pads and suction devices that quickly clean up spills
keep your floors safe and dry.
Cables and cords, though, may seem unavoidable, she says. While
using tape or single-use, brightly colored adhesives to hold them
down is a low-tech way to prevent trips, UConn has found that booms
make the biggest difference. "They are easier to move and cause less
strain than when the nurses must push equipment on carts," says Dr.
• LAPAROSCOPIC STRESS Dr. Peterson and Dr. Kueck study the physical strain placed
on laparoscopic surgeons in UConn's Health Center Biodynamics Laboratory.
Sarah
Turker/UConn
Health
Center
