Evaluation of assisting experience based on ergonomics for pediatric theatre nurses during endoscopic surgery

This study investigated ergonomics in pediatric theatre nurses (PTN) assisting using 3 endoscopic systems (stacks, OR1 and robotic) in neonates to adolescents.

The study was a questionnaire based evaluation on the 3 patient age groups (Group 1:0–1 year, Group 2:2–10 years, Group 3:11–16 years) assisted by PTN in a single institution. An ordinal scale from 1 to 5 was used for degree of satisfaction. The study was registered (Reg WCSLA1140).

Surveys were completed by 10 PTN with mean experience of 4.96 years (9 months–20 years).

(A) Response: 9/10 PTN answered all questions. Robotic questions were removed for GI and 7/10 PTN had GII and 6/10 GIII experience.

(B) Satisfaction scores: Mean scores: stack system 3.225 vs. OR1 3.341 (p < 0.0001), and robotic 3.097 vs. OR1 3.289 (p < 0.0001).

(C) Surgeon experience: No difference in ease of assisting Consultants vs Trainees.

(D) Nurse experience: Excluding robotics, significant difference was found with experience overall (ANOVA p < 0.0001) with satisfaction increasing significantly after 2.5 years; < 2 verses > 2–5 years (p < 0.0001; Tukey test) and < 2.5 years verses > 5 years (p < 0.0051).

(E) Equipment handling confidence: Increases with > 2.5 years’ experience (ANOVA p < 0.01). Comparing stack vs OR1, PTN had more operating space with the OR1 (3.6 verses 3.9, p = 0.08). Screen visualization and physical comfort levels were better with OR1 vs. stack (3 vs. 3.2 and 3.2 vs. 3.23). There was no difference between age groups (GI-GII).

This is the first study providing valuable insight into the PTN working environment, also demonstrating ergonomic superiority with OR1.