Hospital Employee Health – April 1, 2010
April 1, 2010
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OSHA moves to track MSDs, warns of 'targeted inspections'
Keeping track of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) would be a new priority under a proposed record-keeping rule, evidence of a new direction for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. -
As pandemic eases, EHPs look to the next one
The collective sigh of relief was almost audible at the approach of the one-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic of novel H1N1 influenza. Hospitals had dodged a bullet. -
Stories of survival: Getting help with H1N1
At most hospitals, Employee Health runs a lean operation with minimal support staff. As H1N1 influenza cases surged and patients filled the emergency departments, employee health departments struggled to cope with their own tsunami of work: -
Cal-OSHA: RN death not fully probed
The death of a nurse from the novel H1N1 and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) should have been more thoroughly investigated for a work-related link, according to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA). -
Even 'safer' products require safe practices
The processor used to disinfect endoscopes was a closed system. The sterilant was a safer alternative to glutaraldehyde. So why were employees complaining of headaches, eye irritation, shortness of breath and a reduction in their sense of smell? -
NIOSH advice: Preventing exposure to sterilants
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health offers the following advice for reducing the risk of exposure to sterilants: -
CEO challenge: Even 'Superman' needs a lift
Harry Geller, MBA, administrator of Othello (WA) Community Hospital, lies down to sleep, a smile on his face as he begins to dream about a sure-fire way to solve patient-handling dilemmas. Moments later, he turns into Superman, flying down the hall and running into a patient room to help staff before they're injured. But on his third feat, Geller faces a "heavy" patient and tumbles to the floor. -
NC leads the way on tobacco-free policy
In the nation's biggest tobacco-producing state, no one can smoke or use tobacco on any campus of its 125 acute care hospitals or that of many of its psychiatric hospitals. -
TN hospital: No jobs for smokers
Smokers need not apply. That is the new policy of Memorial Health Care System in Chattanooga, TN.