scholarly journals Occupational Health and Safety Measures in Healthcare Settings During COVID-19: Strategies for Protecting Staff, Patients and Visitors

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Isra Asma Ahmad ◽  
Ernest Osei
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Environmental Controls

Abstract The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has profoundly impacted almost every aspect of healthcare systems worldwide, placing the health and safety of frontline healthcare workers at risk and still continues to remain an important public health challenge. Several hospitals have put in place strategies to manage space, staff, and supplies in order to continue to deliver optimum care to patients while at the same time protecting the health and safety of staff and patients. However, the emergence of the second and third waves of the virus with the influx of new cases continue to add an additional level of complexity to the already challenging situation of containing the spread and lowering the rate of transmission and thus pushing healthcare systems to the limit. In this narrative review paper we describe various strategies including administrative controls, environmental controls and use of personal protective equipment implemented by occupational health and safety departments for the protection of healthcare workers, patients and visitors from SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. The protection and safeguard of the health and safety of healthcare workers and patients through the implementation of effective infection control measures, adequate management of possible outbreaks and minimization of risk of nosocomial transmission is an important and effective strategy of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic management in any healthcare facility. High quality patient care hinges on ensuring that the care providers are well protected and supported so they can provide the best quality of care to their patients.

scholarly journals Ergonomics Hazards and Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Workers of Health Care Facilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-258
Author(s):  
Almas Hamid ◽  
Alizae Salaam Ahmad ◽  
Sarah Dar ◽  
Sana Sohail ◽  
Faiza Akram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Psychosocial Hazards ◽  
Chemical Spills ◽  
Related Stress

The present study is conducted to determine occupational health and safety hazards with special focus on ergonomic hazards among healthcare facility (HCF) workers. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 200 workers in five HCFs of Lahore, Pakistan. Among the reported ergonomic hazards, muscle aches/ sprains (76.5%), elbow/ wrist/ neck pain (56.0%), body posture issues (56.0%), excessive stretching of muscles (67.5%) and bending/ twisting at work (55.5%) were commonly encountered. Biological hazards included incidences of cuts/wounds/ lacerations (69.0%), contact with specimens (56.0%), exposure of airborne diseases (64.0%) and other infections (72.0%) inspite of the fact that majority (90.0%) were aware of procedures where needle stick injuries are most likely to occur and knowledgeable on occupational infections. Physical hazards included slips/trips/falls (65.0%), high noise levels (64.0%) and chemical spills (54.0%). A significant percentage of workers experienced psychosocial hazards including work related stress (77.0%) and some form of psychosocial or physical abuse (68.5%). Despite workers awareness about occupational health hazards and implementation of control measures by HCF to mitigate hazards (especially biological) prevalence of hazards was reported. Hence, there is a need to improve working standards and conditions to reduce the occurrence of ergonomic and psychosocial hazards.

Risk Analysis and Assessment Using Decision Matrix Risk Assessment Technique in Sports: The Case of Boxing

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2971-2976
Author(s):  
Merve Uca ◽  
Leyla Alizadehebadi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Decision Matrix ◽  
Assessment Technique ◽  
Sports Activities

Background: The decision matrix risk assessment (DMRA) is a systematic approach widely adopted in risk management in occupational health and safety to make a risk analysis and assessment and assist in decision-making for risk tolerability. Risk is a substantial part of sports organizations as well as other organizations and daily life; therefore, it is inevitable in any activity. One may encounter various risks of injury since sports fields and equipment are not ergonomic for performing sports activities healthily Aim: Ultimately, to help improve the conditions of sports activities, the present strummed to determine the activities to be maintained as a result of a risk assessment using the decision matrix risk assessment technique where accidents are classified by their severity and probabilities. Methods: The present study adopted DMRA (L-shaped matrix); it is among the systematic methods widely used in occupational health and safety (OHS) risk assessment. In general, it is an assessment technique where one may obtain a risk assessment value by considering two factors. Results: Likewise, we identified those requiring control measures and a cease at the last resort. Conclusion: Overall, we proposed some corrective actions that may help prevent the occurrence of the presented accidents through the implementation of occupational health and safety regulations published by the correspondent institutions. Keywords: Risk assessment, sports activity, health and safety, decision matrix, risk analysis

Infectious Respiratory Disease Outbreaks and Pregnancy: Occupational Health and Safety Concerns of Canadian Nurses

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen P. Phillips ◽  
Tracey L. O'Sullivan ◽  
Darcie Dow ◽  
Carol A. Amaratunga
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Reproductive Risk

AbstractIntroduction:This paper is a report of a qualitative study of emergency and critical care nurses' perceptions of occupational response and preparedness during infectious respiratory disease outbreaks including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and influenza.Problem:Healthcare workers, predominantly female, face occupational and personal challenges in their roles as first responders/first receivers. Exposure to SARS or other respiratory pathogens during pregnancy represents additional occupational risk for healthcare workers.Methods:Perceptions of occupational reproductive risk during response to infectious respiratory disease outbreaks were assessed qualitatively by five focus groups comprised of 100 Canadian nurses conducted between 2005 and 2006.Results:Occupational health and safety issues anticipated by Canadian nurses for future infectious respiratory disease outbreaks were grouped into four major themes: (1) apprehension about occupational risks to pregnant nurses; (2) unknown pregnancy risks of anti-infective therapy/prophylaxis; (3) occupational risk communication for pregnant nurses; and (4) human resource strategies required for pregnant nurses during outbreaks. The reproductive risk perceptions voiced by Canadian nurses generally were consistent with reported case reports of pregnant women infected with SARS or emerging influenza strains. Nurses' fears of fertility risks posed by exposure to infectious agents or anti-infective therapy and prophylaxis are not well supported by the literature, with the former not biologically plausible and the latter lacking sufficient data.Conclusions:Reproductive risk assessments should be performed for each infectious respiratory disease outbreak to provide female healthcare workers and in particular pregnant women with guidelines regarding infection control and use of anti-infective therapy and prophylaxis.

scholarly journals Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety Awareness among Healthcare Workers at the Pediatric Hospital in Benghazi City

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-49
Author(s):  
Amal Ali Mukhtad ◽  
Fatima Mohammed Alomamy ◽  
Aya Abdullah Almukassbi ◽  
Aya Joma Rafa Abbas ◽  
Amira Abu baker Alfseiy
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Pediatric Hospital ◽  
Safety Awareness ◽  
Data Collection Instrument

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is an essential area concerned with the protection, health, and safety plus the welfare of individuals involved in any kind of occupation. This study aimed at assessing the occupational health and safety awareness and practices among the healthcare workers in the pediatric hospital in Benghazi city, Libya. The study adopted descriptive survey research in the Benghazi pediatric hospital. The study randomly selected 246 healthcare workers and the response rate was 96%. A questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument. The data were coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics; frequencies and percentages and inferential analysis of correlation. Around 50% of the participants reported a lower level of awareness regarding occupational health and safety (OHS). The study proposes that the ministry of health should conduct specialist training in occupational health and safety for their staff, they also should confirm provisions of this policy and technical guidelines apply to all health institutions and administrative units within the health sector. Further hospital risk management should put in place a regular monitoring team who will certify that workers notice in firm terms safety measures put in place to avoid any accidents/injuries. Lastly, the study recommends that further research on the factors determining the implementation of occupational health and safety awareness and practices at public health care facilities in Libya.

scholarly journals Occupational health and safety of the frontline healthcare workers in Nepal in COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Sunil Kumar Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Workplace Violence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is essential for every professional especially healthcare workers who work day and night serving patients. According to the WHO, health workers should not face any kind of workplace violence during their professional activities. Attention should also be paid to the mental and psychological health of healthcare workers and their protection should be of paramount importance. OHS related policies, rules and regulations have been formulated in Nepal. According to the law, the responsibility of the OHS of the employees has to be taken by the concerned organization. In Nepal, during the COVID-19 pandemic, health workers have to take the risk of infecting themselves while providing care for the patients. This has led to the infection of thousands of health workers and we have also lost quite a few healthcare workers in the line of duty in Nepal. On one hand, there is a psychological fear of acquiring COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers despite adopting health and safety measures, while on the other hand, in case of infection they will have to pay for the treatment from their own pockets. Sometimes ICU and ventilator services are not available not only in their working hospital but also in government referral health institutions which have given rise to incidences that healthcare workers themselves have to be admitted to other hospitals for the treatment. In such a situation, not just mental but also a financial burden has been added to the healthcare workers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document