Health Care/Social Assistance

Sacramento, CA – The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has proposed a new regulation that aims to protect health care industry employees from workplace violence.

Chicago – Surgical smoke is a serious and preventable hazard that affects thousands of health care workers every year, according to a NIOSH study presented Nov. 3 at the American Public Health Association’s annual meeting.

Silver Spring, MD – The American Nurses Association is calling for all registered nurses to receive the seasonal flu vaccination and to encourage their patients to get vaccinated.

Cleveland – Health care workers frequently contaminate their skin and clothing when removing gloves or gowns, and researchers from the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center are recommending additional education and redesigned personal protective equipment.

Silver Spring, MD – Declaring that the nursing profession will “no longer tolerate” workplace violence, the American Nurses Association has issued a position statement urging employers and workers to create a culture of respect.

Silver Spring, MD – All health care personnel should get immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases, the American Nurses Association is advising in light of a recent measles outbreak.

Pittsburgh – The Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare is calling for effective respiratory protection for health care workers, according to a new position statement.

Madison, WI – Health care workers may not be adhering to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when removing personal protective equipment after treating patients in isolation rooms, according to a study from the University of Wisconsin.

New York – Newly licensed nurses are more likely than more experienced nurses to suffer sprains, strains and needlesticks, according to a study from New York University.

Warrendale, PA – The health care industry has not made sufficient progress on reducing the number of needlestick injuries among workers, according to the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare.