Occupational medicine
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Occupational medicine · Sep 2009
Cancer survivorship and return to work: UK occupational physician experience.
Survivorship following diagnosis of cancer is increasing in prevalence. However, cancer survivors continue to report difficulty re-entering the workplace after diagnosis and treatment. ⋯ This survey raises several possible significant barriers to return to work by cancer survivors. Recommendations to ameliorate these are made.
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Occupational medicine · Aug 2009
ReviewOffshore industry: medical emergency response in the offshore oil and gas industry.
The hunt for oil and gas has taken workers into new more distant locations including those offshore. The remoteness of the offshore platforms and vessels coupled with the potential risk of being cut off by bad weather presents particular challenges for medical emergency response (MER). ⋯ Medical professionals (medics) working offshore on installations and vessels are primarily responsible for the medical care of the workers. The medics have clinics with suitable medical equipment for managing emergencies as well as providing limited primary care. Some countries have legislation that stipulate minimum requirements. Where there is no national legislation, industry and company guidance is used to define the MER standards. Supervision of the offshore medics is often provided by doctors on shore via radio and phone links. These methods of communication are now being augmented with more sophisticated telemedicine solutions such as the Internet and live video links. These newer solutions allow for prompt high-quality care and provide the scope for a variety of new treatment options to be available for the offshore workforce.
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Occupational medicine · Aug 2009
Psychosocial working conditions and work-related stressors among UK veterinary surgeons.
Anecdotally, veterinary surgeons report high levels of work-related stress. ⋯ Compared to the general population, the sample reported higher risk of work-related stress for demands and managerial support but lower risk for relationships and change. The results could be used to inform the development of targeted interventions.
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Occupational medicine · Jun 2009
Case ReportsIgE-mediated chlorhexidine allergy: a new occupational hazard?
Chlorhexidine is an effective antimicrobial agent commonly used in UK hospitals, primarily for skin decontamination. Recent UK infection control guidelines recommend the use of 2% chlorhexidine solution in specific clinical settings, thus increasing chlorhexidine use by health care workers (HCWs). Chlorhexidine has been widely reported to cause IgE-mediated allergic reactions (from urticaria and angioedema to anaphylaxis) among patients undergoing surgery/invasive procedures. Despite its widespread use in health care settings, there are no reports of clinically confirmed occupational IgE-mediated chlorhexidine allergy. ⋯ Despite its excellent antimicrobial properties, chlorhexidine is an occupational allergen. We suggest that chlorhexidine allergy be included in the differential diagnosis of HCWs presenting with work-related allergic symptoms. Increased awareness and easier access to chlorhexidine-specific IgE serological testing should facilitate early diagnosis of affected HCWs, allowing appropriate avoidance measures to be instigated--thus reducing the risk of potentially severe allergic reactions in the future.
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Occupational medicine · May 2009
Multicenter StudyMusculoskeletal pain and night-shift naps in nursing home care workers.
Care workers in nursing homes are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Many care workers work in shifts, which may compromise both the quality of care they give and their working life. Taking a nap during night shifts has been proposed to ameliorate shift work-related problems, but its relationship with MSDs is not clear. ⋯ Reduced pain in the arm and leg was associated with taking a nap at least once every two night shifts among the nursing home care workers. No association was found between low back pain and night-shift naps in this sample.