Inspection Detail

Inspection: 125524793 - Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

Inspection Information - Office: Oakland District Office

Investigation Summary

On October 27, 2002, Employee #1 and a shift nurse were working in a hospital, caring for non-ambulatory, geropsych patients. Employee #1 was working a double shift, at the hospital, which was normal for him. The nurse requested Employee #1's assistance in operating a two-person-lift to move a male patient from a bed to a wheel chair. After they started to move the patient, the nurse left to take a phone call. No other employees were present and Employee #1 completed the move in the nurse's absence. While moving the patient, the man resisted. This additional physical strain on Employee #1 sent a sharp, shooting pain up the back of his right leg. Employee #1 was hospitalized and diagnosed with Lumbar Radiculopathy. He has not returned to work since the injury occurred.

Keywords: EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, FATIGUE, BACK, PULLEY, LEG