Methods of Exposure Assessement of Patient Handling Tasks: A New Risk Index (MAPO)

The authors describe and propose a model for identifying the main risk factors in this type of occupational exposure: presence of disabled patients, staff engaged on manual handling of patients, working environment, aids for moving patients, training of workers. For each factor a procedure for assessment is proposed that is easily applicable in practice. The authors also propose a formula for the calculation of a exposure index (MAPO Index), which brings together the various factors. From a practical point of view, in the present state of knowledge, it can be stated that for MAPO Index values between 0 and 1.5, risk is deemed negligible, average for values between 1.51 and 5, and high for values exceeding 5.