Hospital Employee Health – February 1, 2011
February 1, 2011
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More HCWs stepping up for flu shot, but pressure builds for hospital mandates
More health care workers responded to this season's push for influenza vaccination by rolling up their sleeves and getting the vaccine. -
Infected HCWs shunned protective measures
In the H1N1 influenza A pandemic, many infected health care workers failed to wear personal protective equipment. -
Why do HCWs come to work sick?
In a Health Hazard Evaluation, researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health asked medical residents and cardiology, pulmonary, and critical care fellows at the University of Utah why they had reported for work sick during the H1N1 pandemic. -
Protecting house staff from flu
In an analysis of transmission of pandemic H1N1 to residents and fellows at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health advises: -
Time to build up for future pandemic
As the H1N1 virus receded even as a seasonal influenza threat, there was a collective sigh of relief in the health care community. It wasn't as bad as was feared. -
Chemo drugs damage HCW chromosomes
Nurses and pharmacists who handle chemotherapeutic drugs are unknowingly being exposed to a potential carcinogenic and reproductive hazard, and those with the highest exposures have significant chromosomal abnormalities, according to two recent studies. -
NIOSH updates hazardous drugs
In the first update of a hazardous drug alert since 2004, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health added 21 drugs to the list of drugs that may pose an occupational risk to health care workers. -
OSHA cites hospitals for recordkeeping flaws
Beware of recordkeeping violations. That's a word to the wise based on recent enforcement activity by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. -
OSHA: Employers must reduce noise hazards
Ear plugs aren't protection enough from high levels of noise at work. -
EMS face peril from ambulance crashes
The ambulance was 20 minutes into a 60-minute drive, taking a patient with complications of influenza from a clinic to an urban hospital. No lights or sirens. This was a transport, not an emergency run. Suddenly, the driver of a Chevrolet Lumina crossed the center lane. The ambulance driver veered to the right, trying to avoid impact, but the Chevrolet hit the front left portion of the ambulance. -
Joint Comm looks at patient/worker safety
Employee safety boosts patient safety. And that overall commitment to safety is something that The Joint Commission wants to promote.