Hospital Employee Health – July 1, 2018
July 1, 2018
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Ex-OSHA Chief: With Violence Reg Stalled, Hospitals Should Act
In the current political climate, OSHA has no realistic way forward to achieve its goal of issuing a proposed standard to protect healthcare workers from violence, a former OSHA director tells Hospital Employee Health.
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Where’s the Fire? Extend Safe Handling to EMTs
There is a prevailing misconception that firefighters, first responders, and EMTs are young and strong enough to physically lift patients without being injured.
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Lock Down Drugs to Prevent Diversion
Although it is rarely detected, experts tell us that drug diversion by healthcare workers is a rampant and longstanding problem. Locking and securing crash carts and pharmacy supplies on a given unit is critical to prevent drug theft or some form of tampering and substitution.
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New Nurses May Struggle With Errors, Injuries
A newly graduated nurse, or even one more experienced who is going through orientation in a new job, may have a higher risk of errors and accidents.
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Legal Matters: Religious Exemptions for Flu Shots
Healthcare facilities enacting flu shot mandates without some effort to reasonably accommodate healthcare workers claiming religious exemption could be open to a lawsuit.
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Surgeons Prevail: Skull Caps Are Back
A recent victory means surgeons can continue to wear their traditional skull caps. A previous recommendation for surgeons to fully cover their hair and ears to prevent infections has been jettisoned for a lack of evidence.
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A Healthy Nurse Means a Healthy Nation
The American Nurses Association is challenging those who wear the white to step up and take care of someone else: themselves.
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Researchers: Sharps Disposable Boxes Not Linked to C. Diff
A new study concludes that, if processed and used properly, reusable sharps containers pose no risk of C. difficile transmission.