Hospital Employee Health – January 1, 2009
January 1, 2009
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Flu syringe debacle underscores that sharps safety may be slipping as priority
When a local public health department in California opened packages of FluVirin pre-filled syringes to start the flu immunization campaign, the vaccine administrators were stunned. Contrary to federal law and regulation, the syringes had a fixed needle with no safety device. -
Device makers face no requirements for safety
Why do manufacturers sell devices that employers can't legally use? -
Needlestick injury rates stuck in limbo
Hospitals are stuck in a holding pattern in their sharps safety programs. Injury rates dropped dramatically after the implementation of safer sharps in 2001, but many facilities have since reached a plateau. -
Needlestick benchmark can be safety 'snapshot'
Suppose your needlesticks rose this year compared to last year. That doesn't sound so good. Clearly things are not going in the right direction. But you need more information to understand what's happening - a benchmark for your needlesticks. -
Cut-rate deal: Focus on sharps safety pays off
You can't stop needlesticks just by buying a safety device. Preventing sharps injuries requires a sustained commitment to device selection and training. -
2008 Salary Survey Results: In tough times, EHPs get compensated for value
Despite a crashing economy, employee health professionals reported receiving a salary increase of at least 1% to 3%. In fact, according to the 2008 Hospital Employee Health salary survey, almost one-third of employee health professionals (31%) reported receiving 4% or more. -
Will Obama administration embolden OSHA?
Will the Obama presidency bring mandates for safe patient handling? More citations from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration? Recognition of new hazards?