scholarly journals Diagnosing occupational COVID-19 in Croatian healthcare workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-297
Author(s):  
Roko Žaja ◽  
Ivana Kerner ◽  
Milan Milošević ◽  
Jelena Macan
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Disease ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Medical Documentation ◽  
Job Description ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Health Physician ◽  
Chain Reaction Test

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be diagnosed as occupational disease by an occupational health physician (OHP), if supported by relevant work-related and medical documentation. The aim of this study was to analyse such documentation submitted by Croatian healthcare workers (HCWs) and discuss its relevance in view of European and Croatian guidelines. The study included 100 Croatian HCWs who were SARS-CoV-2-positive and requested that their infection be diagnosed as occupational disease by their OHPs from 1 May 2020 to 10 March 2021. As participants they were asked to fill out our online Occupational COVID-19 in Healthcare Workers Questionnaire. For the purpose of this study we analysed answers about the type of close contact at the workplace, COVID-19 symptoms, and enclosed work-related (job description, employer statement about exposure to SARS-CoV-2) and medical documentation (positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test and patient history confirming the diagnosis of COVID-19). Most participants were working in hospitals (N=95), mostly nurses (N=75), who became infected by a patient (N=68) or colleague (N=31), and had at least one COVID-19 symptom (N=87). Eighty participants did not enclose obligatory documents, 41 of whom failed to submit job description and 31 both job description and employer statement. These findings confirm that the major risk of occupational COVID-19 in HCWs is close contact with patients and colleagues, and points out the need for better cooperation between OHPs, occupational safety experts, employers, and diseased workers.

scholarly journals Circumstances and Structure of Occupational Sharp Injuries among Healthcare Workers of a Selected Hospital in Central Poland

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Garus-Pakowska ◽  
Magdalena Ulrichs ◽  
Ewelina Gaszyńska
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
District Hospital ◽  
The Body ◽  
Medical Documentation ◽  
Injury Rates ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Central Poland ◽  
Exposed Part ◽  
Needle Sticks ◽  
Morning Shift

(1) Background: An analysis of work-related sharp injuries in Healthcare Workers (HCWs) based at a selected hospital in Central Poland by presenting the frequency of accidents, injury rates, and identifying circumstances of Needle Sticks and Sharp Injuries (NSSI) and giving Post-Exposure Procedures (PEP). (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical documentation regarding work-related NSSI at a district hospital located in central Poland; over the period 2010–2017. The study group included HCWs who had an accident while on duty. (3) Results: Most injuries were reported by nurses and staff over 40, on the morning shift. The most common injuries were using a needle. The most exposed part of the body were fingers. The average annual injury rates were: 1.22/100 Nurses; 2.02/100 doctors; 1.34/100 hospital beds; and 8.59/100,000 inpatient days. The rates for 3-year periods, after the implementation of legal regulations were higher than before. Conclusion: Injuries rates are more reliable for comparison than frequency. Legislation on the need to register injuries seems to be necessary. In the supervision of work safety of personnel, reliable reporting of all injuries by the respective HCWs plays a key role.

scholarly journals Asbestos Exposure and Ovarian Cancer – a Gynaecological Occupational Disease. Background, Mandatory Notification, Practical Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 81 (05) ◽  
pp. 555-561
Author(s):  
Dennis Nowak ◽  
Barbara Schmalfeldt ◽  
Andrea Tannapfel ◽  
Sven Mahner
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Occupational Disease ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Asbestos Exposure ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Insurance Carrier ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
1960S And 1970S

AbstractIn 2017, ovarian cancer due to asbestos exposure was designated a new, and thereby the first, gynaecological occupational disease in Germany. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre with an annual usage in Germany of 160 000 – 180 000 metric tonnes in the 1960s and 1970s. The carcinogenicity of asbestos for the target organs lungs, larynx, pleura including pericardium, and peritoneum including tunica vaginalis testis has been clearly established for many years. Recent meta-analyses of data from cohort studies have demonstrated that the risk of ovarian cancer roughly doubles in women with occupational exposure to asbestos. Since the group of people with double the risk of developing lung cancer due to work-related asbestos exposure has a 2.25-fold increased risk of mortality from ovarian cancer on average, work-related ovarian cancer has been assigned the same recognition requirements as in occupational lung (and laryngeal) cancer. Thus, gynaecologists must obtain a thorough history of occupational exposure to asbestos, even if it may have taken place long in the past. The law mandates that suspected such cases must be reported to the Statutory Accident Insurance carrier or the State Occupational Safety and Health Agency.

The Importance of Fatigue Management for Healthcare Workers from Islamic Perspective

2019 ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Khairil Idham Ismail ◽  
Hanizah Mohd Yusof ◽  
Ahmad Faidhi MZ ◽  
Basri I
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Quality Of Healthcare ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Islamic Perspective ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Fatigue Management ◽  
Harm To Others

Introduction: Fatigue is common among healthcare workers (HCWs). Long continuous duty hours, sleep loss with minimal recuperation and shift work are among work-related factors contributing to fatigue. Being fatigued will impair physical, cognitive, and emotional function. Substantially, it will impact the occupational and patient safety along with quality of healthcare delivery. Nevertheless, there are still paucity of Islamic perspective on the importance of fatigue management for HCWs.Objectives: Our aim is to outline the Islamic perspective of fatigue management for HCWs.Methods: Review of literature in relevance to fatigue among HCWs were carried out. Document analysis from Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) references including literature from Maqasid Syariah (the Objective of Syariah) and Qawaid Fiqhiyyah (Islamic legal maxims) perspective. Interviews with expert from both Islamic scholars and clinicians are conducted.Results: Our findings provide Islamic perspective on the importance of fatigue manageme nt for healthcare workers. The consequences of fatigue such as slowed reaction time, reduced vigilance, reduced decision-making ability, poor judgment, distraction during complex task and loss of awareness in critical situations raise the issue on the integrity of patient safety and occupational safety. This is in contrary with the principle of Maqasid Syariah which highly emphasize protection of life (hifz an-Nafs) and intellect (hifz ‘Aql) of both group of HCWs and patients. While Qawaid Fiqhiyyah strongly against inflicting harm to themselves nor bring harm to others (La darar wa la dirar); which serve as basis to support this fatigue manageme nt framework in a holistic manner.Conclusion: This study may serve as an added perspective in the angle of Islamic view on the importance of fatigue management for healthcare workers.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2019 Page: 37

scholarly journals Tai Chi and workplace wellness for health care workers: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Dorelli ◽  
R A Cocchiara ◽  
G Gholamalishahi ◽  
W Longo ◽  
E Musumeci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Related Stress

Abstract Background Several studies show positive effects of new non-medical therapies known as complementary and alternative medicines, such as the discipline of tai chi. As healthcare professions are among the most vulnerable for work-related stress, this systematic review aims to investigate the relationship between tai chi practice and wellness of healthcare workers. Methods Cinahl, Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed were searched in September 2019. Full-text articles, written in English and published after 1995, were recruited if they focused on positive effects of tai chi on the psychophysical wellbeing of healthcare workers, in comparison with alternative techniques (such as yoga or traditional care). Outcomes were reduced work-related stress, better physical and psychological function, improvement in attention and/or productivity; no restrictions about study design were applied. Quality assessment was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale on cohort/cross-sectional studies, the Jadad scale for randomized clinical trial, AMSTAR for systematic reviews and CASE REPORT scale for case study. Results 6/111 papers were included: 3 clinical trials, 1 observational study, 1 systematic review and 1 case report. The methodological quality was of medium level. 2/3 trials found a significant increase in individuals' wellbeing and improvements in stress levels and nursing staff’s motivation in their work. In the observational study tai chi was a prevalent mind-body practice to reduce stress. The systematic review suggested that tai chi could be a useful tool to reduce stress-related chronic pain. In case report the effectiveness was observed in medical students. Conclusions This study highlights the full potential and possible benefits derived from tai chi but its application to improve health professionals' wellbeing is still limited, and the absence of a standardized intervention impacts on the methodological quality and reduces the robustness of the retrieved evidence. Key messages Tai chi can improve many pathological conditions and reduce work-related stress. Further research is needed to gain robust evidence of its efficacy for wellbeing of healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Granulocytic anaplasmosis in captive ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Adaszek ◽  
Anna Wilczyńska ◽  
Jerzy Ziętek ◽  
Marcin Kalinowski ◽  
Oliwier Teodorowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Anaplasma Ovis ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽  
Pcr Product ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Obligate Intracellular Bacteria ◽  
Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Anaplasma Bovis

Abstract Background Anaplasma are obligate intracellular bacteria and aetiological agents of tick-borne diseases of both veterinary and medical interest. The genus Anaplasma comprises six species: Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma bovis and Anaplasma platys. They can infect humans, carnivores, ruminants, rodents, insectivores, birds and reptiles. The aim of this study was to present the first clinical case of granulocytic anaplasmosis in a captive ring-tailed lemur in Poland. Case presentation A 4-year-old female lemur presented anorexia, epistaxis and tick infestation. The microscopic examination of a blood smear revealed morulae in neutrophils. Polymerase chain reaction test and sequencing of obtained PCR product confirmed infection by the GU183908 Anaplasma phagocytophilum strain. Therapeutic protocol included doxycycline (2.5 mg/kg p.o., b.i.d.) for 3 weeks and the lemur recovered within 24 h. Conclusions This is the first report on granulocytic anaplasmosis in a ring-tailed lemur in Europe, indicating that A. phagocytophilum infection must also be considered in differential diagnosis in this animal species, especially in individuals with thrombocytopenia associated with Ixodes ricinus parasitism.

Updates on NORA Musculoskeletal Health Cross-Sector Council Activities

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1279-1281
Author(s):  
David M. Rempel ◽  
Scott Schneider ◽  
Sean Gallagher ◽  
Sheree Gibson ◽  
Susan Kotowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Musculoskeletal Health ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Collaborative Efforts

The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) is a research framework for the nation and for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The NORA Musculoskeletal Health Cross-Sector (MUS) Council focuses on the mitigation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Two projects have been chosen by the MUS Council for disseminating existing information on ergonomic assessment methods and interventions. The first project involves collaboration with the AIHA Ergonomics Committee on the latest update of the AIHA Ergonomic Assessment Toolkit. The second project aims to post all-industry information on ergonomic solutions/interventions/guidelines in collaboration with the International Ergonomics Association (IEA). The MUS Council plans on leveraging the collaborative efforts for promoting widespread adoption of evidence-based workplace practices for the prevention of WMSDs.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Healthcare Workers in Germany: A Follow-Up Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4540
Author(s):  
Johannes Korth ◽  
Benjamin Wilde ◽  
Sebastian Dolff ◽  
Jasmin Frisch ◽  
Michael Jahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Intermediate Risk ◽  
Igg Antibody

SARS-CoV-2 is a worldwide challenge for the medical sector. Healthcare workers (HCW) are a cohort vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to frequent and close contact with COVID-19 patients. However, they are also well trained and equipped with protective gear. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody status was assessed at three different time points in 450 HCW of the University Hospital Essen in Germany. HCW were stratified according to contact frequencies with COVID-19 patients in (I) a high-risk group with daily contacts with known COVID-19 patients (n = 338), (II) an intermediate-risk group with daily contacts with non-COVID-19 patients (n = 78), and (III) a low-risk group without patient contacts (n = 34). The overall seroprevalence increased from 2.2% in March–May to 4.0% in June–July to 5.1% in October–December. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG detection rate was not significantly different between the high-risk group (1.8%; 3.8%; 5.5%), the intermediate-risk group (5.1%; 6.3%; 6.1%), and the low-risk group (0%, 0%, 0%). The overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence remained low in HCW in western Germany one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Germany, and hygiene standards seemed to be effective in preventing patient-to-staff virus transmission.

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