Tanta University

Faculty of Nursing
Master Degree (Preparatory)
2023-2024

computer ergonomics and the nursing

informatics to nursing practice

Prepared by:
1- Hend Dorham 2- Walaa Gaber

3- Eman Farahat
4- Gaber Mansour
5- Dina Reda
6- Reham Ashraf
7- Sadia Mohamed 8- Shrouk Saad

9- Rofida Adel

Under supervision
Prof / Dr : Gehan Younis
 Objectives
General objectives: master student will be able to know what is the
meaning of computer ergonomics and the nursing informatics to nursing
practice .
Specific objectives:
At the end of this seminar the master students will be able to:
1) identify what is the meaning of ergonomics and computer ergonomics.
2) list the advantages and disadvantages of computer ergonomics .
3) list Types of computer ergonomics and domains of specializations
4) Enumerate guidelines and tips of computer ergonomics .
 Outlines:
1. Introduction .
2. Definition of ergonomics .
3. Definition of computer ergonomics.
4. Advantages of computer ergonomics.
5. Disadvantages of computer ergonomics.
6. Types or domains of computer ergonomics.
7. Guidelines and tips of computer ergonomics .
8. Reference.
 Introduction
Ergonomics is the study of people in their workplace and is the process in
which workplaces, products and systems are designed or rearranged so that
they fit the people who use them. It aims to improve workspaces and
environments to reduce the risk of injury.

Computer ergonomics addresses ways to optimize your computer workstation

to reduce the specific risks of computer vision syndrome, neck and back pain,
and carpal tunnel syndrome. It also reduces the risk of other disorders affecting
the muscles, spine, and joints.
Definition of Ergonomics: -
Is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions
among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies
theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-
being and overall system performance.”
Definition of Computer ergonomic: -
Is the study of how we interact with our computers. Scientists that study
computer ergonomics, attempt to find solutions to strain, fatigue, and injuries
caused by poor product design or workplace arrangement. Their goal is to
create an overall comfortable and relaxed workplace environment
computer ergonomics is the practice of fitting the set up of the computer and
the workspace to fit the user and the user's work needs in order to minimize
physical stress on the computer user .
Advantages of computer ergonomics:-
1. Improves Health
These natural positions will prevent you from straining your eyes and necks.
You’ll also reduce swelling in your legs because your blood flow will be
optimal.
2. Improved Mental Insight
You and your employees will experience less anxiety, increased awareness,
improved moods, and focus. This means everyone can concentrate on their
work more. The better focused they are the higher productivity levels.
3. Higher Productivity Levels
The better focused your employees are, the high level of productivity they can
have. Ergonomics combine different ideas to make workstations feel more
natural. These lead to increased productivity because they’ll be more
comfortable and focused
4. Decreased Pains
Ergonomics is meant to make things feel more natural and safe. Due to this
change, your body will be less strained and your health will improve. These
combined will lead to decreased pain.
5. Higher Quality Work
When people feel comfortable, they can focus on high-quality production. This
combined with increased productivity levels will keep your consumers happy
too.
6. Eliminates Hazards
Part of creating a more productive work environment is eliminating the daily
hazards that can hurt your employees. These distractions are unsafe and can
lead to worse consequences later. Pay attention and know your office so you
can assess what hazards exist.
 7. Increased Employee Engagement
Your employees will notice that your business provides the best conditions for
increased employees’ health and safety. Because they won’t be experiencing
fatigue and discomfort, you’ll see an increase in the employees’ involvement.
You’ll find their motivation will increase the more they feel taken care of by
the company.
8. Encourages Safety
Ergonomics will create a safer work environment and increase awareness.
You’ll remove hazards, improve workstations for less discomfort, and teach
your employees to update their spaces with safety in mind.
9. Happier Employees, Happier You
The better you utilize ergonomics, the happier your employees will be. They’ll
enjoy coming into work more than they did before, and it will affect those
around them. You will notice a difference in your own happiness.
Disadvantage of ergonomic: -
1.Poor ergonomics can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
These are debilitating, painful conditions affecting muscles, tendonsandnerves.
One of the most common is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a condition in
which a nerve within a specific passageway in the wrist is pinched, causing an
array of symptoms ranging from unpleasant to painful. These include
numbness, tingling, and sharp pain.In serious cases, CTS can affect mobility,
and even cause partial paralysis.
2.Poor ergonomics can cause back injuries
The nature of your profession often determines your risk of suffering from
painful back injuries. Some of the highest risk employees are those working in
the healthcare profession.
3.Poor ergonomics can cause headaches & migraines
 Working for too many hours with the wrong lighting can cause headaches; Poor
posture is a big factor in migraine and headache sufferers, due to it causing
active trigger points in your neck and shoulder that refer directly to the head.
4.Poor ergonomics can cause a stiff neck
More often than not, we tend to attribute severe pain in the neck, and
immobility in the neck area, to a bad sleeping position If you keep your neck in
a rigid position for too long, you will more than likely suffer the consequences
in your neck area.
5.Poor ergonomics can cause “trigger finger
This condition results from the inflammation of tendons and/or the tendon
sheaths located in the fingers. Repetitive movements or using one’s grip too
strongly or too often, can make it difficult to move one’s fingers without
experiencing sharp pain.
6.Poor ergonomics can cause ganglion cysts
Ganglion cysts are very hard, pea- or larger- sized lumps which develop on
joints or in tendon sheaths. They are commonly found on the wrist, the back of
the hand or the base of fingers. Symptoms range from discomfort to pain.
Types of computer ergonomics and domains of specialization:-
According to the International Ergonomics Association, there are three broad
domains of ergonomics: physical, cognitive, and organizational.
1)Physical ergonomics:
➢ Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical,
anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they
relate to physical activity.
➢ This is the ergonomics domain we are most concerned with in the
workplace, and most of the content on this site is very much focused on
workplace ergonomics.
 ➢ Workplace Ergonomics:-The science of fitting workplace conditions and
job demands to the capabilities of the working population. Ergonomics is
an approach or solution to deal with a number of problems—among them
are work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
2)Cognitive ergonomics: -
➢ Reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans
and other elements of a system.
➢ Relevant topics Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental
processes, such as perception, memory.
➢ mental workload.
➢ decision-making.
➢ skilled performance
➢ human- computer interaction.
➢ human reliability.
➢ work stress
➢ training as these may relate to human-system design.
3)Organizational ergonomics:-
Organizational ergonomics is concerned with the optimization of
sociotechnical systems, including their organizational structures,
policies, and processes.
Relevant topics
➢ communication
➢ crew resource management
➢ work design
➢ design of working times
➢ teamwork
➢ participatory design
➢ community ergonomics
➢ cooperative work
 ➢ new work paradigms
➢ virtual organizations
➢ telework
➢ quality management
Guidelines and Tips of computer ergonomics in work station :
1. use a good chair with a dynamic chair back and sit back in this
2. top of monitor casing 2-3" (5-8 cm) above eye level
3. no glare on screen, use an optical glass anti-glare filter where needed
4. sit at arms length from monitor
5. feet on floor or stable footrest
6. use a document holder, preferably in-line with the computer screen
7. wrists flat and straight in relation to forearms to use keyboard/mouse/input device
8. arms and elbows relaxed close to body
9. center monitor and keyboard in front of you
10. use a negative tilt keyboard tray with an upper mouse platform or downward tiltable
platform adjacent to keyboard
11. use a stable work surface and stable (no bounce) keyboard tray
12. take frequent short breaks (microbreaks)
➢ Lifestyle
• Aerobic exercise will help to sustain strength, improve cardiovascular
conditioning, and counteract the strain of sedentary computer use.
• Routine use of non-prescribed medications or a wrist brace is not
recommended.
• If you begin to develop symptoms, notify your supervisor.
• Slight changes made early can avoid future complications.
 References: -
1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580551/
2) https://www.hse-network.com/4-key-things-to-remember-for-office-ergonomics-
in-2022/
3) Barnard E, Sheaffer K, Hampton S, Measel ML, Farag A, Shaw C. Ergonomics and
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Characteristics Among Female
Interventionists. Cureus. 2021 Sep;13(9):e18226. [PMC free article] [PubMed]
4) https://www.lightguidesys.com/resource-center/blog/what-is-ergonomics/
5) Canadian Nurses Association and Office of Health and the Information Highway.
(2000). Vision 2020 Workshop on information and communications technologies in
health care from
6) https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/ergo/ergoadvantages.pdf