Ergonomics in hospitals: Health in focus
One piece of advice many doctors give their patients is to maintain a healthy working position. Ergonomics in hospitals applies not only to patients, but also to medical staff and office employees.
The term "ergonomics" encompasses various aspects that contribute to a healthy working environment. Such aspects can include, among other things, protecting back muscles, avoiding tripping hazards, or even access to fresh air.
We at Held + Team would like to gain an insight into ergonomics in the workplace with you and explore which ergonomic devices contribute to healthier working. We believe that only healthy employees can achieve excellent results, which is why we want to draw more attention to the health of medical professionals through ergonomics in hospitals – find out more now!
What ergonomics in hospitals means
Medical personnel, whether working in the laboratory or actively treating patients, are exposed to a high degree of physical stress. The focus of hospital managers and executives should therefore be on minimizing physical stress to ensure the health of their employees.
Workplace ergonomics is crucial to this. The goal is to adapt a workplace to promote safety, productivity, and the health of its employees. In the healthcare industry, especially in hospitals, patient beds and desks, lighting, soundproofing, and other medical supplies and equipment play a key role.
How ergonomic medical technology can be utilized in hospitals
Medical staff are constantly on the go. Ergonomic chairs are also available in hospitals to ensure employees maintain a comfortable sitting posture while documenting treatment steps. Correct sitting is essential for maintaining the human skeleton and healthy back muscles.
Correct lighting, in addition to good posture, contributes not only to vision but also to general health. Comfortable light is also essential in hospitals to ensure the well-being of both patients and staff. Ergonomics in hospitals therefore also includes installing correct lighting. Ergonomic lighting is defined as light that shines evenly and with sufficient brightness. This prevents irritating glares and reflections.

Ergonomic devices for more comfort at work
Optimized processes contribute to less stress at work in hospitals. Advanced and innovative technologies, such as a medical graphical user interface, make work easier for staff, reducing the risk of burnout and improving overall well-being.
Medical design for hospitals is also increasingly focusing on how medical equipment can be made more ergonomic. For example, adjustable medical carts, like those found in regular hospital rooms, are becoming increasingly important. Adjustment options allow nurses and doctors to work more comfortably at different working heights, leading to faster and more precise patient care.
Furthermore, adjustable hospital beds are now standard for hospital ergonomics. The ability to adjust leg, back, and head positions is not only beneficial for the patient, but also makes it easier for medical staff to work in a focused manner at the bedside without endangering their own physical health through uncomfortable working positions.
Ergonomics in hospitals: Held+Teams contribution
Held+Team is intensively involved in the design of ergonomic workplaces and medical devices to create a healthy working environment. Our sophisticated and innovative technology is already being used, for example, in our product design office.
The advantages of technology also ensure that burnout and stress risks are minimized and the general well-being of our employees in various departments, such as industrial design, increases.
As mentioned above, the right lighting plays a major role. Generally speaking, lighting should be 500 lux at a computer workstation, while other work spaces should have over 300 lux. At the same time, we recommend choosing large windows to allow as much natural light as possible. Therefore, open-plan offices, wherever possible, are essential, especially for ergonomics in medical technology. Held+Team has always implemented these principles in its workplaces to provide employees with a comfortable working atmosphere.
We believe that only healthy employees can achieve outstanding results. That's why we develop medical technology with ergonomic design in mind – from adjustable carts to ergonomic instruments, we're committed to improving well-being not only in our own offices but also in hospitals. Learn more about what ergonomic devices and work will look like in the future!

Ergonomics in hospitals: Conducting a requirement analysis
To optimize ergonomics in hospitals, requirement analyses are necessary to identify and, if possible, optimize weak points. Professional staff conduct a situation analysis, which then, among other things, plans the hospital's activities taking into account the available staff to avoid overwork.
Furthermore, the following tips are recommended for improving ergonomics in hospitals:
- Wearing appropriate and comfortable footwear
- Transparent and regular communication with staff about future plans
- Providing aids for physical work, such as lifting aids
- Elimination of tripping and impact hazards, especially in the operating room
- Employee surveys to assess general mood and stress levels
- Providing adequate workspace in both offices and patient rooms
- Offering preventive programs.
Ergonomics is the art of adapting the workplace to human needs. This adaptation is based on anatomical, psychological, and physiological parameters to maximize performance. Held + Team is happy to assist with consulting and implementing an ergonomic work environment in hospitals!
Special case operating room: Ergonomic equipment for successful operations
The operating room is one of the most specialized areas of a hospital, subject to strict regulations and conditions. Surveys show that 97% of operating room staff see a need for ergonomics to perform procedures safely.
Especially at an operating table, hazards can arise for staff, such as:
- Rigid postures for long periods
- Lifting movements involving heavy body parts or equipment
- Restricted mobility due to a narrow workspace
- Tripping hazards caused by medical equipment
- Climatic conditions
- Physical strain caused by heavy equipment such as X-ray scanners
- Inappropriate working heights, such as operating tables
- Unhealthy postures and movements due to poor monitor positioning.
To ensure ergonomics in the operating room, the following measures are recommended:
- Height-adjustable transport trolleys and tables for documentation, as well as sliding carriages
- Self-opening doors
- No steps or thresholds in or to the operating room
- No exposed cables
- Stable footrests and step ladders
- Surgical trays and irrigating solutions at ergonomic heights
- Staff training on back-friendly working practices
- Surgical clothing in all sizes
- Mutual support in the operating room
- Options to compensate for prolonged standing
- Ability of staff to independently adjust the operating room ergonomically in an emergency.
Attaining ergonomics in hospitals with Held+Team
Held+Team vereint das Know-How in der Ergonomie und Usability mit dem Verpackungsdesign der Medizintechnik sowie weiteren Spezialisierungen, um ganzheitliche Lösungen für den medizinischen Bereich zu schaffen. Bei uns stehen Ergonomie im Krankenhaus und Benutzerfreundlichkeit immerzu im Mittelpunkt.
Von der Entwicklung von medizinischer Labortechnik bis zu innovativen Verpackungsdesign, die den Schutz von sensibler Medizinprodukte gewährleistet, gestalten wir Produkte, die Analyse und Strategie von Arbeitsabläufen vereinfachen und gleichzeitig die Sicherheit des medizinischen Personals gewährleisten. Unsere interdisziplinäre Herangehensweise aus sorgt für ansprechendes Design, Funktion und Ergonomie in der Medizintechnik für ein reibungslose Zusammenarbeit den verschiedenen Branchen und bezüglich der Bedürfnisse der in der Medizin Tätigen.
Daher legen wir Wert auf optimierte Prozessabläufe und innovatives Gerätedesign, um die Zukunft der Medizin schon heute zu ermöglichen. Informieren Sie sich gerne weiterführend zu Ergonomie im Krankenhaus und nehmen Sie unkompliziert Kontakt zu uns auf!
Held+Team combines expertise in ergonomics and usability with medical technology packaging design and other specializations to create holistic solutions for the medical sector. Hospital ergonomics and user-friendliness are always our focus.
From the development of medical laboratory technology to innovative packaging design that ensures the protection of sensitive medical devices, we design products that simplify the analysis and strategy of workflows while ensuring the safety of medical personnel. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures appealing design, function, and ergonomics in medical technology for seamless collaboration across various industries and with the needs of healthcare professionals.
Therefore, we place great emphasis on optimized processes and innovative device design to enable the future of medicine today. Learn more about hospital ergonomics and contact us easily!
FAQ – Häufige Fragen zur Ergonomie im Krankenhaus
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Why is ergonomics in hospitals so important?
Ergonomics in hospitals protects medical staff from physical overload and long-term health problems. Ergonomically designed workplaces reduce stress, increase productivity, and boost satisfaction.
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Which ergonomic devices support medical staff?
Key ergonomic aids include height-adjustable beds, medical carts, ergonomic chairs, swivel monitors, and appropriate lighting systems. These devices enable ergonomic work and contribute to reducing musculoskeletal disorders.
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What does ergonomic work in everyday care mean?
Nurses regularly lift and move patients, perform extensive documentation while sitting, and work under time pressure. Ergonomic work practices here include the use of lifting aids, appropriate working heights, comfortable clothing, regular exercise, and adequate breaks.
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Wie unterstützt Held + Team bei der Umsetzung? How does Held+Team support the implementation?
Held+Team develops ergonomically sophisticated medical technology solutions and supports hospitals in analyzing and optimizing their work environments – from conception to implementation of ergonomic devices and processes.
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