Hospital Employee Health – December 1, 2007
December 1, 2007
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IOM cites 'urgent' need for action to ensure HCW safety in flu pandemic
Not enough is known about how to protect health care workers in an influenza pandemic, and that lack of knowledge critically weakens the nation's preparedness, an Institute of Medicine panel has concluded. -
Pandemic plan: How many HCWs will be home sick?
To prepare for an influenza pandemic, you've counted your ventilators and calculated your patient surge, sought options to add bed space and assessed the capacity of the emergency department. But have you estimated how many of your employees will show up for work? -
NIOSH sets 35-lb limit as the max for safe lifts
A 180-pound patient is partially dependent, able to lift only about half his weight. He's in a chair and needs help standing. How many nurses would it take to help him safely if they have no lift equipment? -
Easing 'dead weight' lifts of anesthetized OR patients
The patient lies on a gurney in the operating room and needs to be transferred and positioned onto the table. As OR nurses and techs assess this situation, one thing is clear: The anesthetized patient isn't going to be able to help with the transfer. -
Patchwork of safe lift laws evolving state by state
A patchwork of safe patient handling state laws is evolving around the country, presenting a wide range of requirements for hospitals. -
NIOSH warns HCWs about anesthetic gases
Operating room and recovery room personnel may be exposed to waste anesthetic gases without realizing the danger, and employers should take steps to make sure their ventilation and gas "scavenging" systems are working properly, according to a new informational brochure from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). -
Why health care employers should tackle depression
If you want to know the impact of depression on the workplace, just do the math. -
The Joint Commission Update for Infection Control: As flu season hits, remember new Joint Commission immunization standard for health care workers
As the 2007-2008 flu season strikes, infection control and employee health professionals are reminded that a new Joint Commission standard requiring accredited organizations to offer influenza vaccinations to staff now is in effect. -
The Joint Commission Update for Infection Control: Oncologists should offer flu shots to cancer patients
Despite a Joint Commission recommendation that cancer patients ages 50 years and older get seasonal flu shots, many are putting their lives at risk by not doing so. -
The Joint Commission Update for Infection Control: Joint Commission, CDC to study rapid flu test use
The Joint Commission recently announced that its Division of Quality Research and Measurement will study how rapid tests for influenza are implemented in outpatient medical settings including solo and group practice physician offices, community health centers, and acute care hospital emergency departments throughout the United States.