Health Care/Social Assistance

Washington — Reusable respirators could prove a “viable option” for health care facilities’ respiratory protection programs, especially in preparation for a public health emergency, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concludes.

Washington — Labor unions, the National Employment Law Project, and the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health are among the groups publicly opposing a Department of Labor proposed rule that would allow unsupervised 16- and 17-year-olds to operate powered patient lifts in hospitals, nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.

Washington — In an effort to help stem the rising rate of workplace violence against health care and social service workers, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) has proposed legislation that would direct OSHA to issue a standard requiring employers in those industries to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans.

Maywood, IL — Educating new doctors on emotional intelligence could provide a method to help stem an elevated rate of burnout in the profession, the results of a recent Loyola University Medical Center study suggest.

Washington — The Senate on Oct. 3 passed an extensive package of bipartisan opioid legislation with provisions that include boosting efforts to improve the coordination of emergency department overdose care and advancing hair testing as an accepted drug-testing method for transportation industry employees.

Atlanta — Nearly 4 out of 5 health care providers received an influenza vaccination during the 2017-2018 flu season, according to a recently released annual report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

San Diego — Nearly half of emergency physicians have been physically assaulted on the job, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Lowell, MA — The Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace, one of NIOSH’s Total Worker Health Centers of Excellence, has introduced a free online continuing education program intended to help nurses prevent musculoskeletal injuries during clinical care.

Washington — The Department of Labor is accepting comment until Nov. 26 on a proposed rule that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to operate powered patient lifts in hospitals, nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.

Oakbrook Terrace, IL — Following up on its Sentinel Event Alert on workplace violence in the health care industry, accreditation organization The Joint Commission hosted a webinar to provide insight into prevention strategies.