Workplace health & safety
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Workplace health & safety · Nov 2013
ReviewHospital violence and the role of the occupational health nurse.
Between 1993 and 1999, an average of 1.7 million violent workplace incidents were recorded per year. Of the nonfatal injuries and lost days due to occupational violence, 32% occur in the health care setting. ⋯ When an occupational health professional analyzes an exposure, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment policies are drafted to ensure the future safety of employees. This literature review identifies best practice controls used to protect health care workers from violence in the workplace.
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Workplace health & safety · Nov 2013
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners and medical certification of interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers.
On April 18, 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced plans to develop a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The new plan requires all medical examiners who conduct physical examinations for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to meet the following criteria: (1) complete specific training about FMCSA's physical qualification standards; (2) pass a test to verify understanding of those standards; and (3) maintain and demonstrate competence through periodic training and testing. By May 21, 2014, all certified medical examiners must be in the National Registry database, after which all drivers must receive a medical examination from a certified medical examiner. ⋯ S. Department of Transportation driver medical certification regulations. These changes impact drivers, employers, medical examiners, and occupational health nurses and safety specialists who manage the certification of drivers.
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Workplace health & safety · Oct 2013
Exploring workplace violence among home care workers in a consumer-driven home health care program.
Nominal research has examined sexual harassment and workplace violence against home care workers within consumer-driven home care models such as those offered in Oregon. This study examined home care workers' experiences of violence while providing care to consumer employers, the patients who hire and manage home care workers. ⋯ Further, three themes were identified that may increase the risk of workplace violence: (1) real and perceived barriers to reporting violence; (2) tolerance of violence; and (3) limited training to prevent violence. To ensure worker safety while maintaining quality care, safety policies and training for consumer employers, state DHS employees, and home care workers must be developed.
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Workplace health & safety · Mar 2013
Psychosocial stress and multi-site musculoskeletal pain: a cross-sectional survey of patient care workers.
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between psychosocial factors at work and multi-site musculoskeletal pain among patient care workers. In a survey of 1,572 workers from two hospitals, occupational psychosocial factors and health outcomes of workers with single and multi-site pain were evaluated using items from the Job Content Questionnaire that was designed to measure psychological demands, decision latitude, and social support. An adapted Nordic Questionnaire provided data on the musculoskeletal pain outcome. ⋯ Supervisor support played a significant role for nurses and women. These results remained statistically significant after adjusting for covariates. These results highlight the associations between workplace psychosocial strain and multi-site musculoskeletal pain, setting the stage for future longitudinal explorations.
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Workplace health & safety · Dec 2012
ReviewPain management in occupational health: a guide for non-narcotic pain relief.
Narcotic pain management is currently a topic of concern in the United States; the latest concerns are both legal and ethical. Narcotics are frequently prescribed medications that, when improperly used or supervised, can cause death. ⋯ Injured workers need to have pain controlled and be mentally safe to perform their job duties. This article identifies types of pain, comorbidities, and alternative methods of pain management beyond narcotic therapy, as well as discusses guidelines used to initiate narcotic therapy when needed.