Support services

2019 ◽  
pp. 428-484
Author(s):  
Nizam Damani
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Environmental Cleaning ◽  
Practical Advice ◽  
Multidrug Resistant Pathogens ◽  
And Control

This section discusses the role of hospital support services in the prevention and control of infection. It examines the role and responsibilities of the occupational health department which include pre-employment assessment and provision of guidance on how to manage healthcare workers who are exposed and/or infected with various communicable diseases and multidrug-resistant pathogens. It outlines the importance of infections spread by contaminated environment and provides practical advice on the environmental cleaning. Advice on the management of clinical waste, kitchen and catering services, linen and laundry services, and pest control is also provided.

AIDS Control and the Workplace: The Role of Occupational Health Services in South Africa

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie London
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Aids Prevention ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
And Control

AIDS interventions typically fail to address the disjuncture between private behaviors and the social determinants of HIV infection. Data from a telephone survey of manufacturing companies and a postal survey of occupational health nurses in the Western Cape, South Africa, were used to explore the possible role of occupational health services in prevention and control of AIDS. The author found limited evidence of worker involvement in AIDS programs, particularly in companies with occupational health professionals. The management of sexually transmitted diseases was incomplete. Mandatory pre-employment testing of workers for HIV was not widespread. Respondents' opinions on priorities for AIDS prevention and control reflected a preoccupation with knowledge transfer. To ensure their effectiveness, workplace AIDS programs must improve worker participation and integrate AIDS prevention in general workplace health and safety programs. In addition, education programs must develop objectives within a critical theoretical understanding of the behavioral issues relevant to AIDS prevention, and must emphasize the empowerment of women in the workplace. In the context of the present restructuring of health services in South Africa, occupational health services, using the strategies outlined, can make a major contribution to national AIDS prevention and control.

Practical aspects of prevention and control

2019 ◽  
pp. 143-232
Author(s):  
Nizam Damani
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Alphabetical Order ◽  
Practical Advice ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Operating Theatres ◽  
And Control

The chapter examines various types of isolation precautions and provides practical advice on infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to be taken on isolation of patients of new and emerging infectious diseases. In an alphabetical order, it lists IPC precautions, modes of transmission of infections, incubation periods, periods of infectivity, and the duration of isolation for various infectious diseases and multidrug- resistant microorganisms (MDROs). The well-illustrated chapters explain how to properly don and take off various types of personal protective equipment. It reviews the most up-to-date information on the various aspects of hand hygiene, including hand washing and proper use of alcohol-based hand rub products. Practical advice is also given on injection safety, how to prevent transmission of infection after death and prevention of infection by healthcare building design which also includes ventilation of operating theatres.

Strengthening of occupational health promotion by the German Prevention Health Care Act

2019 ◽  
pp. 188-190
Author(s):  
Diana Hart
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Occupational Health Promotion ◽  
And Control

All countries are faced with the problem of the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCD): implement prevention strategies eff ectively, keep up the momentum with long term benefi ts at the individual and the population level, at the same time tackling hea lth inequalities. Th e aff ordability of therapy and care including innovative therapies is going to be one of the key public health priorities in the years to come. Germany has taken in the prevention and control of NCDs. Germany’s health system has a long history of guaranteeing access to high-quality treatment through universal health care coverage. Th r ough their membership people are entitled to prevention and care services maintaining and restoring their health as well as long term follow-up. Like in many other countries general life expectancy has been increasing steadily in Germany. Currently, the average life expectancy is 83 and 79 years in women and men, respectively. Th e other side of the coin is that population aging is strongly associated with a growing burden of disease from NCDs. Already over 70 percent of all deaths in Germany are caused by four disease entities: cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. Th ese diseases all share four common risk factors: smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of physical activity and overweight. At the same time, more and more people become long term survivors of disease due to improved therapy and care. Th e German Government and public health decision makers are aware of the need for action and have responded by initiating and implementing a wide spectrum of activities. One instrument by strengthening primary prevention is the Prevention Health Care Act. Its overarching aim is to prevent NCDs before they can manifest themselves by strengthening primary prevention and health promotion in diff erent sett ings. One of the main emphasis of the Prevention Health Care Act is the occupational health promotion at the workplace.

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