Ebola Update
The Ebola virus disease first appeared in 1976 in the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The most recent outbreak occurred in West Africa in March 2014 and quickly spread in surrounding countries. Ebola spreads through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected individual. The incubation period for Ebola is 2 to 21 days. Individuals are infectious when symptomatic. Identifying individuals at high risk for Ebola in the United States includes early recognition of symptoms and a history of travel to an Ebola-affected area. Multiple diagnostic tests exist and should include a complete blood count and a compreh...
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - January 22, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: OKeefe, L. C. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Macacine Herpes Virus (B Virus)
This article presents the history and pathogenesis of B virus, first aid, treatment, and prevention. (Source: Workplace Health and Safety)
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - January 22, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Rohrman, M. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
A Security Guard With West Nile Virus Encephalitis
A 57-year-old male working as a security supervisor in an office building was seen for return to work by the on-site occupational health nurse. He was observed to have slow gait as he entered the clinic waiting area, was pale, diaphoretic, and slow in responding to questions. His return to work note stated he was recovering from West Nile Virus (WNV). Implications for return to work are presented. (Source: Workplace Health and Safety)
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - January 22, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Smith, L. Tags: Professional Practice Source Type: research
Total Worker Health(R): More Implications for the Occupational Health Nurse
(Source: Workplace Health and Safety)
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - January 22, 2016 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Schill, A. L., Chosewood, L. C. Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
The Changing Risk of Japanese Encephalitis for Business Travelers
Japanese Encephalitis is an often fatal and vaccine preventable disease. New vaccine recommendations are needed due to changes in travel and disease patterns. (Source: Workplace Health and Safety)
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - November 20, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Connor, B. A., Bunn, W. B. Tags: Current Topics Source Type: research
Health Effects of Vanpooling to Work
(Source: Workplace Health and Safety)
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - November 20, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Tags: CE Module Source Type: research
Health Effects of Vanpooling to Work
This study explored the perceived health and well-being of vanpoolers using a qualitative, descriptive design. Five focus groups of vanpoolers and two individual interviews with drivers were conducted (N = 40 participants). Stress, change in sleep patterns, and interpersonal relationships emerged as major themes. Employee insights about the impact of vanpooling on work productivity and how employer commitment to the vanpool program influences the vanpool experience also were important findings. (Source: Workplace Health and Safety)
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - November 20, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Robbins, W. A., Berman, B. A., Stone, D. S. Tags: Continuing Education Source Type: research
Ebola Virus Disease
Nurses are the largest group of health care providers and, therefore, are often at the forefront of epidemics: responding, treating, educating, and coordinating care as needed. But what happens when nurses are afraid of contracting an illness and decide to leave the workplace? The fear due to Ebola was in part caused by conflicting information around the proper use of personal protective equipment and need for quarantine. The nursing response to as well as the role occupational health nurses can play in diffusing the fear of contracting contemporary infectious diseases are discussed. (Source: Workplace Health and Safety)
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - November 20, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Etienne, N. L., Burns, C., Conlon, H. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Evaluation of Death Cases Connected to Electric Current in Aydin Province, Western Turkey
In this article, the authors discuss electric shock fatalities in Aydın province and compare these findings with the findings of other studies conducted in Turkey and worldwide. Data were gathered from 2001-2013 autopsy reports retrospectively. A total of 34 cases were reviewed in terms of age and gender, scene and time of event, number of lesions and their locations, organ injuries, origin of electricity, and degree of burns. In all cases, electrical death was accidental. Electrical shock fatalities were most common in the 30 to 39 age group. Fourteen cases (41.2%) involved workers: 7 cases (2.6%) were agricultural...
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - November 20, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Dirlik, M., Gün, B., Kallem, F. C. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
The Effectiveness of Measures Aimed at Noise Reduction in an Intensive Care Unit
This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of noise reduction strategies in an intensive care unit. Noise was measured in two phases. In the first phase, the unit’s present level of noise was established over 3 weeks between January 1, 2012, and February 1, 2012. During the month following initial measurements, noise reduction interventions, including staff education and physical space arrangement, were initiated, and device alarms were checked. The second phase of measurement was conducted during another 3-week period (between June 1, 2012, and July 1, 2012). The noise levels before and after noise reduction in...
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - November 20, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Kol, E., Demircan, A., Erdogan, A., Gencer, Z., Erengin, H. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Multicultural Nursing: Providing Better Employee Care
This article explores the concept of culturally competent employee care, some of the non-verbal communication cues among cultural groups, models associated with completing a cultural assessment, and how health disparities in the workplace can affect delivery of employee care. Self-evaluation of the occupational health nurse for personal preferences and biases is also discussed. Development of cultural competency is a process, and occupational health nurses must develop these skills. By developing cultural competence, occupational health nurses can conduct complete cultural assessments, facilitate better communication with ...
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - November 20, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Rittle, C. Tags: Professional Practice Source Type: research
Shingles
As part of an adult immunization program, the occupational and environmental health nurse should consider offering the shingles vaccine for employees aged 60 years and above. (Source: Workplace Health and Safety)
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - October 22, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Randolph, S. A. Tags: Current Topics Source Type: research
Environmental Health and Safety Hazards Experienced by Home Health Care Providers: A Room-by-Room Analysis
(Source: Workplace Health and Safety)
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - October 22, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Tags: CE Module Source Type: research
Environmental Health and Safety Hazards Experienced by Home Health Care Providers: A Room-by-Room Analysis
The number of personnel providing in-home health care services is increasing substantially. The unique configuration of environmental hazards in individual client homes has a significant impact on the safety and health of home health care providers (HHPs). This mixed-methods study used data from a standardized questionnaire, focus groups, and individual interviews to explore environmental health and safety hazards encountered by HHPs in client homes. The participant sample (N = 68) included nurses, aides, therapists, and owners/managers from a variety of geographic locations. The most often-reported hazards were trip/slip/...
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - October 22, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Polivka, B. J., Wills, C. E., Darragh, A., Lavender, S., Sommerich, C., Stredney, D. Tags: Continuing Education Source Type: research
Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Features, Work-Related Conditions, and Level of Anxiety Among Turkish Primary Health Care Workers
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among Turkish primary health care workers’ socio-demographic characteristics, working conditions, and anxiety. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 88 of 103 (85.4%) eligible health care workers from the city of Mugla participating. The participants’ average age was 31 years, 85.2% were university graduates, 30.7% were nurses, and 64.8% had been working between 11 and 20 years at the time of the study; 93.6% worked 8 hours each day or less. State anxiety scores for males (p = .016), health care workers age 31 or older (p = .035), nurse particip...
Source: Workplace Health and Safety - October 22, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Picakciefe, M., Turgut, A., Igneci, E., Cayli, F., Deveci, A. Tags: Research Articles Source Type: research
