All Items on healthcare
All Items tagged with the subject healthcare
- EU - New Health-EU Portal online
-
The official EU Public Health Portal has been revamped. Its new design aims at attracting new visitors and at further raising awareness about public health issues.
The portal also hosts a section on health and safety at work.
- US- Home healthcare workers – updated guidance documents
-
Home healthcare workers can be vulnerable as they face an unprotected and unpredictable environment each time they enter a client's community and home.
- DE-Multitasking "don´t disturb" - guidance on how to avoid stress and overload (in German)
-
The German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) has just published a brochure on how to tackle stress and overload linked to frequent interruptions and the demand for multitasking. The brochure is one of the outcomes of a project that attempted to identify good working practices to support an ageing working population.
- NANOPOWDERS USED IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY
- There are numerous studies that demonstrate that inhalation of zinc oxide fine particles can have catastrophic consequences for human health. The researchers have tried to find new ways to use the antiseptic properties of zinc oxide without affecting the health of those who are using this ...
- US - Study finds that working shifts may increase the risk of developing diabetes in nurses
-
Examining the association between rotating shift work (≥3 nights/month plus days and evenings) and Type 2 diabetes among 177,000 female nurses aged 25–67 (the Nurses' Health Study), this large-scale study revealed a graded association between the duration of working life the nurses had been engaged in shift work and risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
- IE - Guidance on the Management of Manual Handling in Healthcare
-
This guide provides practical information on managing the risk of injury from manual handling activities in the healthcare sector.
- Occupational health and safety risks in the healthcare sector - Guide to prevention and good practice
-
The focus of this guideline is to present up-to-date technical and scientific knowledge regarding the prevention of the most significant risks in healthcare (especially biological, musculoskeletal, psychosocial and chemical risks), and to support the implementation of the relevant European Union directives. Practical instruments to support employers in identifying the risks for the safety and health of their employees and to guide the implementation of preventive measures in their healthcares facilities are outlined and clarified on 284 pages. Content:
- Prevention and health promotion as a management task
- How to carry out a risk assessment
- Biological risks
- Musculoskeletal risks
- Psychosocial risks
- Chemical risks
The manuscript was completed in December 2010.
- BE, CAN- Improving working conditions in home care services
-
A guide to good organizational practices aimed at improving the quality of home care and home support services (HCS) jobs has just been published by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST). Developed by members of two research teams, the IRSST in Québec and the Service de psychologie du travail of the Université de Mons in Belgium, this project was funded by the 5th permanent joint board on cooperation between Québec – Wallonia-Brussels.
- Vold og trusler i ældreplejen- Violence in elderly care
-
Denne rapport er udarbejdet på baggrund af resultater fra et stort forskningsprojekt på Arbejdsmiljøinstituttet. Projektet hedder FOR-SOSU (Fastholdelse Og Rekruttering af SOcial- og SUndhedshjælpere og -assistenter). Det overordnede mål med dette projekt er at skabe forudsætninger for en effektiv arbejdsmiljøindsats, som kan øge rekruttering og fastholdelse af social- og sundhedshjælpere og - assistenter (SOSU’er) i SOSU-branchen. To store undersøgelser indgår i projektet. Den ene undersøgelse hedder Arbejde i ældreplejen, og her undersøges arbejdsmiljøet blandt alle typer medarbejdere i ældreplejen i 36 kommuner i 2005. Det anden undersøgelse hedder SOSU’er Årgang 2004 og den følger alle de SOSU’er, der blev uddannet i 2004 et og to år efter de træder ud på arbejdsmarkedet. Nærværende rapport omhandler dog kun det første år efter uddannelsens afslutning.
The report provides information about the project FOR- SOSU: employment and work of social workers and elderly care nurses.
- NL- Standing, kneeling and squatting at work – health-based limit values
-
In the present report, at the request of the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, the Health Council of the Netherlands has investigated whether at the present time there are any new scientific insights concerning health-based or safety-based limit values for work performed while standing, kneeling or squatting.
- lthMutterschutz im Gesundheitsschutz: Mutterschutzmerkblätter (maternity protection in health care: leaflets)
-
Der Schutz werdender Mütter am Arbeitsplatz wird vom Mutterschutzgesetz und der Verordnung zum Schutze der Mütter am Arbeitsplatz geregelt. Gerade im Gesundheitsdienst gibt es verschiedene Gefahren für Schwangere und das werdende Kind:
- Infektionsgefahren
- Röntgenstrahlen
- Chemikalien (z.B. Narkosegase, Zytostatika)
- Heben und Tragen von Lasten
- Nacht- und Schichtdienst
Auf dieser Webseite werden Merkblätter über verschiedene Arbeitsbereiche, die in Einrichtungen des Gesundheitswesens vorkommen, zum Downloaden zur Verfügung gestellt.
This website provides leaflets concerning maternity protection in different health care areas of work.
- Nurse (Registered)
-
Nursing is one of the activities where women represent a majority. The document provides a general job description and underlines the specific occupational hazards for nurses in hospitals: biological, chemical physical hazards as well ergonomics and psychological aspects are presented. Long term effect that may occur are also presented. Protective measures are presented in the document, together with a brief presentation of general safe work practices. Sources for further information are mentioned in the document.
- Alexithymia and its association with burnout, depression and family support among Greek nursing staff
-
Few studies have examined the relation between alexithymia (i.e. the inability to recognize and verbalize emotions) and professional burnout. Considering the absence of relevant studies in the Greek scientific literature, the aim of this work was to examine the associations of alexithymia with the three facets of professional burnout, the perception of family support and depression in nursing personnel.
In the scientific literature there is a debate as to whether alexithymia is a stable personality characteristic or if it is dependent on symptoms of mental disorders. The study tried to interpret the associations of alexithymia with professional burnout, depressive symptoms and family support. From this study it appears very likely that alexithymia is directly associated with depression and personal achievement, but also - indirectly - with the sense of family support.
- Occupational health regulations and health workers: protection or vulnerability?
-
Occupational health and safety is a key issue for health workers. Changes in the delivery of public health care services raises concerns about whether occupational health and safety standards will be adhered to by different providers. Increased violence experienced by health workers poses a new and growing occupational health problem. With changing occupational health and safety risks, legislation and standards need to be reviewed regularly, especially in relation to trade agreements that set international standards for companies operating in national environments.
- Innovative solutions to safety and health risks in the construction, healthcare and HORECA sectors
- One conclusion from the EU-OSHA economic incentives project is that incentives schemes should not only reward past results of good OSH management (such as accident numbers in experience rating), but should also reward specific prevention efforts that aim to reduce future accidents and ill-health. Experts from the economic incentives project therefore suggested the development of compilations of innovative and evidence-based preventive solutions, starting with the three sectors construction, health care and HORECA (hotels, restaurants, catering). The preventive measures from these compilations are worth promoting in their own right, as well as being applied in economic incentives schemes. These preventive solutions can be used as a basis for incentive-providing organisations to develop their own incentive scheme, adapted to the specific situation in their sector and country.
- World AIDS Day – 1 December
-
The health care sector presents a large number of hazards and risks and complex occupational safety and health management problems, including diseases such as AIDS. In this respect, prevention of sharps injuries is particularly important. It is not just medical professionals who are at risk. Auxiliary staff such as cleaners and laundry staff can also be at significant risk. To address this problem, Directive 2010/32/EU to prevent sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector was adopted. Member States shall implement the directive by 11 May 2013 at the latest.
EU-OSHA supports the implementation of the directive and prevention of HIV/AIDS by providing good practice resources including information on:
Prevention from sharp injuries at the workplace
- EU-Occupational health and safety risks in the healthcare sector - Guide to prevention and good practice
-
Practical instruments to support employers in identifying the risks for the health and safety of their employees and to guide the implementation of preventive measures in their healthcares facilities are outlined and clarified. This publication will be available in printed format in German, English and French and in electronic format in all other EU official languages.
- Emergency workers need better OSH protection
-
A new report shows that emergency workers have a high risk of suffering fatal accidents, injuries and other occupational diseases. Past disasters demonstrate that both communities and companies are often not fully prepared for major accidents and catastrophes. Better protection for emergency workers against occupational hazards should be given high priority, as current environmental, economic, and political developments suggest an increase in the severity and frequency of future disasters.
Full report: “Emergency services: occupational safety and health risks”
- World Mental Health Day – 10 October
-
10th October is World Mental Health Day. The time to remind ourselves and others that mental health is an important aspect of general health – a value that should not be underestimated. The workplace can be a particularly important setting to maintain good mental health through both prevention of psychosocial risks and promotion of mental health.
For more information on mental health at the workplace and how to improve it, visit these EU-OSHA resources:
Prevention of work-related stress
Management of psychosocial risks in the ESENER enterprise survey
- INT - NIOSH List of Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings to Minimize Exposure and Reduce Health Risks
-
About 8 million U.S. healthcare workers are potentially exposed to hazardous drugs, including pharmacy and nursing personnel, physicians, environmental services workers, workers in research laboratories, veterinary care workers, and shipping and receiving personnel.
Also in this section
- EU - New Health-EU Portal online
-
The official EU Public Health Portal has been revamped. Its new design aims at attracting new visitors and at further raising awareness about public health issues.
The portal also hosts a section on health and safety at work.
- US- Home healthcare workers – updated guidance documents
-
Home healthcare workers can be vulnerable as they face an unprotected and unpredictable environment each time they enter a client's community and home.
- DE-Multitasking "don´t disturb" - guidance on how to avoid stress and overload (in German)
-
The German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) has just published a brochure on how to tackle stress and overload linked to frequent interruptions and the demand for multitasking. The brochure is one of the outcomes of a project that attempted to identify good working practices to support an ageing working population.
- NANOPOWDERS USED IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY
- There are numerous studies that demonstrate that inhalation of zinc oxide fine particles can have catastrophic consequences for human health. The researchers have tried to find new ways to use the antiseptic properties of zinc oxide without affecting the health of those who are using this ...
- US - Study finds that working shifts may increase the risk of developing diabetes in nurses
-
Examining the association between rotating shift work (≥3 nights/month plus days and evenings) and Type 2 diabetes among 177,000 female nurses aged 25–67 (the Nurses' Health Study), this large-scale study revealed a graded association between the duration of working life the nurses had been engaged in shift work and risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
- IE - Guidance on the Management of Manual Handling in Healthcare
-
This guide provides practical information on managing the risk of injury from manual handling activities in the healthcare sector.
- Occupational health and safety risks in the healthcare sector - Guide to prevention and good practice
-
The focus of this guideline is to present up-to-date technical and scientific knowledge regarding the prevention of the most significant risks in healthcare (especially biological, musculoskeletal, psychosocial and chemical risks), and to support the implementation of the relevant European Union directives. Practical instruments to support employers in identifying the risks for the safety and health of their employees and to guide the implementation of preventive measures in their healthcares facilities are outlined and clarified on 284 pages. Content:
- Prevention and health promotion as a management task
- How to carry out a risk assessment
- Biological risks
- Musculoskeletal risks
- Psychosocial risks
- Chemical risks
The manuscript was completed in December 2010.
- BE, CAN- Improving working conditions in home care services
-
A guide to good organizational practices aimed at improving the quality of home care and home support services (HCS) jobs has just been published by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST). Developed by members of two research teams, the IRSST in Québec and the Service de psychologie du travail of the Université de Mons in Belgium, this project was funded by the 5th permanent joint board on cooperation between Québec – Wallonia-Brussels.
- Vold og trusler i ældreplejen- Violence in elderly care
-
Denne rapport er udarbejdet på baggrund af resultater fra et stort forskningsprojekt på Arbejdsmiljøinstituttet. Projektet hedder FOR-SOSU (Fastholdelse Og Rekruttering af SOcial- og SUndhedshjælpere og -assistenter). Det overordnede mål med dette projekt er at skabe forudsætninger for en effektiv arbejdsmiljøindsats, som kan øge rekruttering og fastholdelse af social- og sundhedshjælpere og - assistenter (SOSU’er) i SOSU-branchen. To store undersøgelser indgår i projektet. Den ene undersøgelse hedder Arbejde i ældreplejen, og her undersøges arbejdsmiljøet blandt alle typer medarbejdere i ældreplejen i 36 kommuner i 2005. Det anden undersøgelse hedder SOSU’er Årgang 2004 og den følger alle de SOSU’er, der blev uddannet i 2004 et og to år efter de træder ud på arbejdsmarkedet. Nærværende rapport omhandler dog kun det første år efter uddannelsens afslutning.
The report provides information about the project FOR- SOSU: employment and work of social workers and elderly care nurses.
- NL- Standing, kneeling and squatting at work – health-based limit values
-
In the present report, at the request of the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, the Health Council of the Netherlands has investigated whether at the present time there are any new scientific insights concerning health-based or safety-based limit values for work performed while standing, kneeling or squatting.
- lthMutterschutz im Gesundheitsschutz: Mutterschutzmerkblätter (maternity protection in health care: leaflets)
-
Der Schutz werdender Mütter am Arbeitsplatz wird vom Mutterschutzgesetz und der Verordnung zum Schutze der Mütter am Arbeitsplatz geregelt. Gerade im Gesundheitsdienst gibt es verschiedene Gefahren für Schwangere und das werdende Kind:
- Infektionsgefahren
- Röntgenstrahlen
- Chemikalien (z.B. Narkosegase, Zytostatika)
- Heben und Tragen von Lasten
- Nacht- und Schichtdienst
Auf dieser Webseite werden Merkblätter über verschiedene Arbeitsbereiche, die in Einrichtungen des Gesundheitswesens vorkommen, zum Downloaden zur Verfügung gestellt.
This website provides leaflets concerning maternity protection in different health care areas of work.
- Nurse (Registered)
-
Nursing is one of the activities where women represent a majority. The document provides a general job description and underlines the specific occupational hazards for nurses in hospitals: biological, chemical physical hazards as well ergonomics and psychological aspects are presented. Long term effect that may occur are also presented. Protective measures are presented in the document, together with a brief presentation of general safe work practices. Sources for further information are mentioned in the document.
- Alexithymia and its association with burnout, depression and family support among Greek nursing staff
-
Few studies have examined the relation between alexithymia (i.e. the inability to recognize and verbalize emotions) and professional burnout. Considering the absence of relevant studies in the Greek scientific literature, the aim of this work was to examine the associations of alexithymia with the three facets of professional burnout, the perception of family support and depression in nursing personnel.
In the scientific literature there is a debate as to whether alexithymia is a stable personality characteristic or if it is dependent on symptoms of mental disorders. The study tried to interpret the associations of alexithymia with professional burnout, depressive symptoms and family support. From this study it appears very likely that alexithymia is directly associated with depression and personal achievement, but also - indirectly - with the sense of family support.
- Occupational health regulations and health workers: protection or vulnerability?
-
Occupational health and safety is a key issue for health workers. Changes in the delivery of public health care services raises concerns about whether occupational health and safety standards will be adhered to by different providers. Increased violence experienced by health workers poses a new and growing occupational health problem. With changing occupational health and safety risks, legislation and standards need to be reviewed regularly, especially in relation to trade agreements that set international standards for companies operating in national environments.
- Innovative solutions to safety and health risks in the construction, healthcare and HORECA sectors
- One conclusion from the EU-OSHA economic incentives project is that incentives schemes should not only reward past results of good OSH management (such as accident numbers in experience rating), but should also reward specific prevention efforts that aim to reduce future accidents and ill-health. Experts from the economic incentives project therefore suggested the development of compilations of innovative and evidence-based preventive solutions, starting with the three sectors construction, health care and HORECA (hotels, restaurants, catering). The preventive measures from these compilations are worth promoting in their own right, as well as being applied in economic incentives schemes. These preventive solutions can be used as a basis for incentive-providing organisations to develop their own incentive scheme, adapted to the specific situation in their sector and country.
- World AIDS Day – 1 December
-
The health care sector presents a large number of hazards and risks and complex occupational safety and health management problems, including diseases such as AIDS. In this respect, prevention of sharps injuries is particularly important. It is not just medical professionals who are at risk. Auxiliary staff such as cleaners and laundry staff can also be at significant risk. To address this problem, Directive 2010/32/EU to prevent sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector was adopted. Member States shall implement the directive by 11 May 2013 at the latest.
EU-OSHA supports the implementation of the directive and prevention of HIV/AIDS by providing good practice resources including information on:
Prevention from sharp injuries at the workplace
- EU-Occupational health and safety risks in the healthcare sector - Guide to prevention and good practice
-
Practical instruments to support employers in identifying the risks for the health and safety of their employees and to guide the implementation of preventive measures in their healthcares facilities are outlined and clarified. This publication will be available in printed format in German, English and French and in electronic format in all other EU official languages.
- Emergency workers need better OSH protection
-
A new report shows that emergency workers have a high risk of suffering fatal accidents, injuries and other occupational diseases. Past disasters demonstrate that both communities and companies are often not fully prepared for major accidents and catastrophes. Better protection for emergency workers against occupational hazards should be given high priority, as current environmental, economic, and political developments suggest an increase in the severity and frequency of future disasters.
Full report: “Emergency services: occupational safety and health risks”
- World Mental Health Day – 10 October
-
10th October is World Mental Health Day. The time to remind ourselves and others that mental health is an important aspect of general health – a value that should not be underestimated. The workplace can be a particularly important setting to maintain good mental health through both prevention of psychosocial risks and promotion of mental health.
For more information on mental health at the workplace and how to improve it, visit these EU-OSHA resources:
Prevention of work-related stress
Management of psychosocial risks in the ESENER enterprise survey
- INT - NIOSH List of Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings to Minimize Exposure and Reduce Health Risks
-
About 8 million U.S. healthcare workers are potentially exposed to hazardous drugs, including pharmacy and nursing personnel, physicians, environmental services workers, workers in research laboratories, veterinary care workers, and shipping and receiving personnel.
