Combatting the Effects of Prolonged Standing in Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare professionals are no strangers to being on their feet, with few chances to sit down during a shift. But if the proper safety measures are not taken, foot, leg and back pain, general fatigue, and sometimes even permanent damage can occur. In fact, workers can start feeling negative effects after just two hours of continuous standing.

While most employers are diligent in providing proper breaks throughout each shift, there are many instances in healthcare where there is simply no choice. Surgical procedures, for example, can last hours on end. Surgeons and OR support staff have little – if any – chance to pause for relief.

So how do healthcare facilities ensure their staff is as comfortable and safe as possible? Anti-fatigue mats are one effective and easy way to help those who are on their feet for extended periods of time perform at their best.

The benefits of anti-fatigue mats

As you can tell from the name, the primary purpose of an anti-fatigue mat is to help alleviate the strain of prolonged standing. Hard surfaces (e.g., tile or concrete) can increase the negative effects of prolonged standing, as opposed to standing on a softer surface (e.g., rubber or cork). For this reason, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends employers provide anti-fatigue mats for employees who spend significant time on their feet.

In addition to the reduced foot pressure, anti-fatigue mats provide several other benefits, including:

• Improved posture
• Increased productivity
• Reduced slips and falls

Anti-fatigue mats available from Morgan Healthcare are made of a durable, closed-cell Nitrile foam rubber that is resistant to grease, oil and chemicals and are treated with an anti-microbial that makes these mats perfect for a healthcare environment.

Click here to learn more about our anti-fatigue mat rental service.