Investigation of practices and procedures in the use of therapeutic diathermy: a study from the physiotherapists' health and safety perspective.

Syed Ghulam Sarwar Shah, Alexandra Farrow
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引用次数: 24

Abstract

Background and purpose: The safe use of therapeutic diathermy requires practices and procedures that ensure compliance to professional guidelines and clinical evidence. Inappropriate use may expose physiotherapists and other people in the vicinity of operating diathermy devices to stray radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, which can be a source of risk and may lead to adverse health effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate practices and procedures for therapeutic diathermy from a health and safety perspective.

Method: A cross-sectional research design was used, this included a postal survey using a self-administered questionnaire and semi-structured observational visits to 46 physiotherapy departments in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals located in the south-east and south-west of England, including Greater London.

Results: Microwave diathermy was not available in the departments surveyed. Pulsed shortwave diathermy was available and was used more commonly than continuous shortwave diathermy. There were metallic objects in treatment cubicles used for pulsed shortwave diathermy and continuous shortwave diathermy. Shortwave diathermy devices created electromagnetic interference with a variety of electrical and medical devices. Physiotherapists reported that they did not stay in the treatment cubicle during the entire period of electrotherapy with pulsed shortwave diathermy or continous shortwave diathermy; pregnant physiotherapists reported that they did not use these devices. Electrotherapy with pulsed shortwave diathermy and continuous shortwave diathermy was not always administered on a wooden couch or chair. Electrotherapy was highest in those departments with the fewest physiotherapists.

Conclusions: Departments report good practices and procedures regarding the use of therapeutic diathermy devices. However, field observations of practices and procedures, and the working environment, have identified issues with a potential to create health and safety problems, and these should be addressed.

在使用治疗性透热疗法的实践和程序的调查:从物理治疗师的健康和安全角度的研究。
背景和目的:治疗性透热疗法的安全使用需要确保符合专业指南和临床证据的实践和程序。不适当的使用可能使物理治疗师和在操作透热装置附近的其他人暴露在杂散的射频电磁场中,这可能是一个风险来源,并可能导致不利的健康影响。本研究的目的是从健康和安全的角度探讨治疗性透热疗法的实践和程序。方法:采用横断面研究设计,其中包括邮政调查,使用自我管理的问卷和半结构化的观察性访问,访问位于英格兰东南部和西南部(包括大伦敦)的国家卫生服务(NHS)医院的46个物理治疗部门。结果:在调查科室中没有微波热疗。脉冲短波透热是可用的,并且比连续短波透热使用得更普遍。用于脉冲短波和连续短波热疗的治疗隔间中有金属物体。短波透热设备对各种电气和医疗设备产生电磁干扰。物理治疗师报告说,他们在脉冲短波或连续短波电疗的整个过程中都没有呆在治疗隔间里;怀孕的物理治疗师报告说,他们没有使用这些设备。脉冲短波和连续短波电疗并不总是在木制沙发或椅子上进行。电疗在那些物理治疗师最少的科室中是最高的。结论:各部门报告了使用治疗性透热装置的良好做法和程序。但是,对做法和程序以及工作环境的实地观察发现了可能造成健康和安全问题的问题,这些问题应予解决。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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