Ergonomic risks for nurses in the Operating Room – scoping review protocol

The Operating Room is an autonomous unit, composed of human, technical and material resources, designed to provide specialized anesthetic and surgical care to dependent patients, with the aim of saving lives and improving quality of life. It is a complex, highly demanding and risky service, used by several surgical specialties, where quick decisions are constant and natural risks are more likely to occur. Operating Room nurses face an increasing workload, aggravated by inadequate staffing, rotating shifts and poor working conditions. These factors contribute to increased frustration, dissatisfaction and the emergence of physical and psychological problems, with a direct impact on the health and quality of life of these professionals. Ergonomics, by studying the relationship between the worker and the environment, plays a fundamental role in promoting well-being and preventing occupational injuries. Its application in the Operating Room allows ergonomic risks to be identified and improvements to be implemented to ensure safe working conditions, without additional costs for hospitals.