The Value of HAZWOPER Medical Surveillance

AAOHN Journal ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 465-467
Author(s):  
R. Gail Huss ◽  
Kristen N. Williamson ◽  
Kimberly L. Alvis ◽  
David J. Hewitt
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Hazardous Materials ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Medical Surveillance ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Chemical Exposures ◽  
High Prevalence

Medical surveillance is mandated for workers with potential exposure to hazardous materials. However, little guidance is provided regarding the components of a medical surveillance testing program for these individuals. This article describes the medical surveillance program for a group of 72 employees who respond to hazardous material releases throughout the United States. Conditions related to chemical exposures were not identified in this group. However, several non-occupational health conditions were identified, including a relatively high prevalence of one or more signs of metabolic syndrome. Medical surveillance may provide valuable information regarding an individual's underlying health status and non-occupational health conditions to be addressed at an early stage.

Changes in B-Readings Over Time in the United States Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program

2007 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Muller ◽  
W Garry Rudolph ◽  
Jonathan M. Lieske ◽  
Jose E. Hernandez ◽  
Moore H. Jan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
United States Navy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Medical Surveillance ◽  
Over Time

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Bladder Cancer Cluster in a Population of Criminal Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—Part 1: The Cancer Incidence

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan R. Davis ◽  
Xuguang Tao ◽  
Edward J. Bernacki ◽  
Amy S. Alfriend
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
White Male ◽  
The United States ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Pathology Report ◽  
United States Bureau ◽  
Medical Surveillance ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cancer Cluster ◽  
Criminal Investigators

This study investigated a bladder cancer cluster in a cohort of employees, predominately criminal investigators, participating in a medical surveillance program with the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) between 1995 and 2007. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were used to compare cancer incidences in the ATF population and the US reference population. Seven cases of bladder cancer (five cases verified by pathology report at time of analysis) were identified among a total employee population of 3,768 individuals. All cases were white males and criminal investigators. Six of seven cases were in the 30 to 49 age range at the time of diagnosis. The SIRs for white male criminal investigators undergoing examinations were 7.63 (95% confidence interval = 3.70–15.75) for reported cases and 5.45 (2.33–12.76) for verified cases. White male criminal investigators in the ATF population are at statistically significant increased risk for bladder cancer.

scholarly journals SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM IDENTIFIES HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR FORMER WORKERS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S950-S950
Author(s):  
Ashley Golden ◽  
Jeffery Miller ◽  
Zachariah Hubbell ◽  
Sara Howard ◽  
Donna Cragle
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Long Latency ◽  
Surveillance Programs

Abstract According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of retirement is 62. While many retirees may have employer-provided or other access to healthcare, others have limited access to affordable care until full Medicare eligibility at 65. Regardless of access, retirees with toxic occupational exposures may not have providers with specialized knowledge of tests or diagnoses for exposure-related health conditions, especially those with long-latency. The National Supplemental Screening Program for U.S. Department of Energy Former Workers is described here as a nationwide program providing recurring (every 3 years) integrated health screenings designed to identify both occupational and non-occupational conditions in the context of exposure so that early identification can enable appropriate and timely diagnoses and treatments to improve health outcomes. Since September 2005, there has been 18,518 initial exams for former workers, of whom 5,461 returned for rescreening exams through April 2019. The average age of those returning was significantly younger at initial exam (63.4 years) compared to those who did not return (65.1 years). The most common occupational condition was noise-induced hearing loss not attributable to natural, age-related loss (67%). Rare and long-latency occupational health conditions, such as asbestosis or silicosis, were identified at rates expected (1-4%). The most common non-occupational condition was elevated body mass index (BMI>25, 77.3%), followed by hypertension (20.7%), of which 50% had no prior knowledge or clinical diagnosis. In conclusion, occupational health surveillance programs can provide value for identifying non-occupational health conditions and as a supplementary source of health information and care.

Mental health recovery and its correlates: Perspectives from 2 countries (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiting Xie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Recovery ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses ◽  
Promote Mental Health

BACKGROUND Many people are affected by mental health conditions, yet its prevalence in certain populations are not well documented. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to describe the attributes of people with mental health conditions in U.S and SG in terms of: perception of mental health recovery and its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. With the findings, not only could the knowledge base for mental health recovery in both countries be enhanced but interventions and policies relating to self-efficacy, resourcefulness and de-stigmatization for mental health recovery could be informed. METHODS A A cross-sectional, descriptive study with convenience sample of 200 community dwelling adults were selected, 100 pax from the United States (U.S) and 100 pax from Singapore (SG). Adults with serious mental illnesses without substance abuse impacting on their recovery were recruited. Participants completed self-administered questionaires measuring their mental health recovery, strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. RESULTS This study offered the unique opportunity to examine mental health recovery as well as its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience from both the United States and Singapore. While the perception of mental health recovery and positive attributes like strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness remained strong in participants with serious mental illnesses across both countries, people with serious mental illnesses in both countries still experienced negative perception like stigma. The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries. CONCLUSIONS The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries.

scholarly journals Investigation of an EHV-1 Outbreak in the United States Caused by a New H752 Genotype

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 747
Author(s):  
Nicola Pusterla ◽  
Samantha Barnum ◽  
Julia Miller ◽  
Sarah Varnell ◽  
Barbara Dallap-Schaer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Amino Acid Position ◽  
High Viral Load ◽  
The United States ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Genotype I ◽  
Flunixin Meglumine ◽  
Nasal Secretions

Here we report on an EHV-1 outbreak investigation caused by a novel genotype H752 (histidine in amino acid position 752 of the ORF 30 gene). The outbreak involved 31 performance horses. Horses were monitored over a period of 35 days for clinical signs, therapeutic outcome and qPCR results of EHV-1 in blood and nasal secretions. The morbidity of the EHV-1 outbreak was 84% with 26 clinically infected horses displaying fever and less frequently anorexia and distal limb edema. Four horses showed mild transient neurological deficits. Clinically diseased horses experienced high viral load of EHV-1 in blood and/or nasal secretions via qPCR, while subclinically infected horses had detectable EHV-1 mainly in nasal secretions. The majority of infected horses showed a rise in antibody titers to EHV-1 during the outbreak. All 31 horses were treated with valacyclovir, while clinically infected horses further received flunixin meglumine and sodium heparin. This investigation highlights various relevant aspects of an EHV-1 outbreak caused by a new H752 genotype: (i) importance of early detection of EHV-1 infection; (ii) diagnostic challenge to assess H752 genotype; (iii) apparent benefit of valacyclovir use in the early stage of the outbreak; and (iv) weekly testing of blood and nasal secretions by qPCR in order to monitor individual infection status and lift quarantine.

scholarly journals Learning health systems in primary care: a systematic scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle M. Nash ◽  
Zohra Bhimani ◽  
Jennifer Rayner ◽  
Merrick Zwarenstein
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Integrated Health ◽  
Google Search

Abstract Background Learning health systems have been gaining traction over the past decade. The purpose of this study was to understand the spread of learning health systems in primary care, including where they have been implemented, how they are operating, and potential challenges and solutions. Methods We completed a scoping review by systematically searching OVID Medline®, Embase®, IEEE Xplore®, and reviewing specific journals from 2007 to 2020. We also completed a Google search to identify gray literature. Results We reviewed 1924 articles through our database search and 51 articles from other sources, from which we identified 21 unique learning health systems based on 62 data sources. Only one of these learning health systems was implemented exclusively in a primary care setting, where all others were integrated health systems or networks that also included other care settings. Eighteen of the 21 were in the United States. Examples of how these learning health systems were being used included real-time clinical surveillance, quality improvement initiatives, pragmatic trials at the point of care, and decision support. Many challenges and potential solutions were identified regarding data, sustainability, promoting a learning culture, prioritization processes, involvement of community, and balancing quality improvement versus research. Conclusions We identified 21 learning health systems, which all appear at an early stage of development, and only one was primary care only. We summarized and provided examples of integrated health systems and data networks that can be considered early models in the growing global movement to advance learning health systems in primary care.

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