NIOSH has an agenda for safety in the healthcare workplace
This should stop you in your tracks.
In 2005 there 668,000 nonfatal injury or illness episodes in healthcare and social assistance workplaces, according to NIOSH. That averages one episode every 47 seconds.
Healthcare and social assistance makes up 11% of the U.S. workforce, and through 2014 it is projected to grow faster than any other U.S. industry. Even more important in comparison to other industries, the healthcare and social assistance sector currently has the second largest number of injuries and illnesses.
That is why NIOSH, through the National Occupational Research Agenda, has drafted National Healthcare and Social Assistance Agenda and is seeking public comment. The agenda identifies strategic goals to address the top safety and health concerns within the sector. To promote the greatest opportunities to advance protection to caregivers and at the same time ensure patient safety, the agenda proposes the following goals and performance measures:
Goal 1: Promote safe and healthy workplaces and optimize safety culture in healthcare organizations by:
- Structuring the organization to optimize safe and healthy workplaces for workers, patients, clients, and consumers
- Promoting a culture of safety
- Establishing effective injury and illness prevention programs
- Increasing the adoption of proven interventions
Goal 2: Reduce the incidence and severity of musculoskeletal disorders.
Performance Measure: By 2016, reduce by 25% the rates of sprains and strain injuries involving days away from work in hospitals and nursing homes where healthcare patients were listed as the source of injury.
Goal 3: Reduce or eliminate exposures and adverse health effects caused by hazardous drugs and other chemicals.
Performance Measures: By 2016, all hazardous drugs package inserts will include guidance for safe handling of the drug. By 2014, an inventory of agents in the healthcare environment that can cause and or exacerbate asthma will be developed.
Goal 4: Reduce sharps injuries and their impacts among all healthcare personnel.
Performance measure: By 2016, surveillance systems will be in place to identify the number and types of healthcare personnel employed in all healthcare settings who sustain sharps injuries and the circumstances, mechanisms, procedures, and devices involved in those injuries.
Goal 5: Stop transmission of infectious diseases in healthcare and social assistance settings among workers, patients, and visitors.
Performance measure: By 2016, increase to 60% the influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers.
NIOSH is accepting pubic comment through October 30, 2009. Reference comments with the Docket Number NIOSH-183. Online comments may be sent using this form. Click here for other commenting alternatives.
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David LaHoda
David LaHoda, the managing editor of Medical Environment Update and OSHA Watch, has produced healthcare training videos and consulted for medical practices and ambulatory healthcare facilities.
David has written 196 posts.
Comments
Regarding goal 2, I believe that one of the greatest areas that need the most help, to improve safety, is training, and not just a video. I’ve worked as a Nursing assistant for 29 yrs. My last job related, musculo-skeletal, injury was almost 20 yrs ago, and that one was caused by poor body mechanics due to equipment failure. Basically I couldn’t raise the bed to a safe height for providing care to my resident.
Several years ago, after an absence from working I had to re-certify, with my state, so I could go back to work. During that 6 week class we spent many more hours studying anatomy than we did body mechanics. If I spend most of my time lifting, pulling, bending and pushing while providing care for my residents why isn’t more time spent on training? One of my first employers spent hours and hours of time making sure our skills were the best they could be but that is not what is being done today. Healthcare workers don’t have a chance to protect themselves without the hands on training needed.
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