Innovative Ways to Reduce Hand-Arm Vibration Level

K K Leung, HKWC M(OSH)

Queen Mary Hospital

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17 May 2017

• Queen Mary Hospital is an 80-year-old building.

• Managing staff expectation effectively.

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1. Our Challenges

Select the Right problem-solving approach

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2. The Journey of Innovation

PDCA Lean Six Sigma: DMAIC

PLAN Define the problem and the objectives Measure the problem Analyze the cause of problem

DO Implement the improvement

CHECK Control the improvement

ACT

Problems • Heavy “traffic” in “limited” floor area.

• Colleagues cannot avoid Tactile Guide Path (TGP), thus the hand-arm vibration, during daily work.

Objective • To minimize the impacts by TGP on daily

operation.

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3. Define the Problems and the Objectives

• Adopt a valid international standard for comparison.

• Measure the hand-arm vibration on pushing trolley and stretcher.

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4. Measure the problems

Current Trolley Stretcher AVG RMS (m/s2) 23.77 32.39 HSE: Exposure limit value of 5.0 m/s2

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5. Analyze the Cause of the Problem: Problem Mapping

New tailor-designed trolley with modified castors.

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5. Analyze the Cause of the Problem: Problem Mapping

Current Trolley (Fig.1) Tailor-Design Trolley (Fig. 2)

AVG RMS (m/s2) 23.77 10.44 HSE: Exposure limit value of 5.0 m/s2

Fig. 2 Tailor-Design Trolley Fig. 1 Current Trolley

New Issues Identified 1. Cost Implication. 2. Time required for

manufacturing.

1. Anti-vibration gloves? • Sharing of gloves. • Issues on hygiene.

2. A cushion? What

material? • Newly developed anti-

vibration polymer (AVP).

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5. Analyze the Cause of the Problem: Problem Mapping

Journey for tailor-made anti-vibration polymer (AVP) handrail/handle cover.

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5. Analyze the Cause of the Problem: Problem Mapping

Current Trolley w/o AVP

Current Trolley w AVP

Tailor-design trolley

Stretcher w/o AVP

Stretcher w AVP

1. AVG RMS (m/s2 )

23.77 17.73 10.44 32.39 12.89

2. Encourage and listen to the feedback from users

4.29 (2nd generation) 5.16 (3rd generation)

3. Promulgation / briefing / expectation management

HSE: Exposure limit value of 5.0 m/s2

• Face to Face interaction for collecting feedback.

• Promulgation during orientation and induction programme for new recruits and other staff training sessions.

• Words of mouth.

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6. Sustain the Improvement

Any alternation in design of hospital facilities may pose new hazards to the staff.

1. Anticipate the hazards.

2. Prepare control measures.

3. Bidirectional communication.

4. Appropriate means to sustain.

5. Caring culture.

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7. What we have Learnt

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What’s next? Patients’ perspective

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