Occupational medicine
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Occupational medicine · Mar 2012
Comparative StudyAssessment of three conventional automated external defibrillators in seafaring telemedicine.
Germany was the first country worldwide to issue a directive regulating the provision of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on board merchant ships. ⋯ The study results suggest that most trained lay rescuers can use conventional AEDs effectively for ECG transmission.
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Occupational medicine · Mar 2012
Comparative StudyBlood and body fluid exposures in the French military.
Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) is a hazard of many occupations, particularly hospital-based health care providers. However, non-hospital-based health care workers (HCWs) and other personnel not providing health care are also at risk. ⋯ These results suggest that the appropriateness of HIV PEP initiation in the French military should be reviewed. Adapting French guidelines for managing BBF exposure, for non-hospital-based environments should be considered.
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Occupational medicine · Mar 2012
Comparative StudySensitization and irritant-induced occupational asthma with latency are clinically indistinguishable.
Acute irritant exposures at work are well-recognized causes of asthma. In the occupational setting, low-dose exposure to the same agent does not provoke asthma. Occupational asthma (OA) with latency due to irritants is not widely accepted. ⋯ Irritant exposure is a cause of OA with latency currently clinically indistinguishable from OA due to sensitization.
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Unit cohesion is recognized as a potentially modifiable factor in the aetiology of mental illness among military personnel. ⋯ Unit cohesion had a linear association with less probable PTSD and common mental disorder. Of the individual items, perception of leadership was associated with less probable PTSD and common mental disorder. Comradeship was associated with greater alcohol misuse among regular personnel, while feeling able to talk about personal problems was associated with less alcohol misuse for reserve personnel.
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Occupational medicine · Jan 2012
Does muscle strength predict future musculoskeletal disorders and sickness absence?
High muscle strength is considered relevant for preventing musculoskeletal disorders and long-term sickness absence. However, prospective studies on the association between muscle strength and future musculoskeletal disorders and long-term sickness absence are few and show contrasting results. ⋯ Low muscle strength does not seem to be a good predictor for musculoskeletal disorders and long-term sickness absence in the general working population.