Health Care Workers

Kyoto, Japan — Researchers want health care professionals to understand the limits of hand sanitizers, after their study showed that ethanol-based sanitizers can take up to four minutes to disinfect hands that carry the flu virus.

Bethesda, MD — About three-quarters of U.S. adults say burnout among health care professionals is a concern and fear that it compromises their own safety and the level of care they receive, according to the results of a recent Harris Poll survey commissioned by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Lowell, MA — More than 1 out of 5 home care aides are verbally abused, and workers who experience mistreatment are 11 times more likely to be physically assaulted, results of a recent study from the University of Massachusetts Lowell show.

Watertown, MA — More than two-thirds of U.S. physicians have experienced burnout, including nearly 4 out of 5 in primary care practices, results of a recent survey show.

Boston — Labeling cafeteria food with “healthy choice” indicators, along with placing healthier options more prominently, can positively influence long-term dietary changes among health care workers, say researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital.

San Antonio — Nearly 1 in 3 nurses may suffer from insomnia, while more than 1 in 8 admit to taking medications to help them stay awake, according to a recent study.

Washington — NIOSH is looking for inventors, researchers and respirator manufacturers to partner on a project intended to develop new designs for powered air-purifying respirators for health care workers.

Carson City, NV — Nevada has become the latest state to require hospitals and other health care facilities to create and implement workplace violence prevention programs and report incidents.

Washington — Legislation that would direct OSHA to issue a standard requiring employers in health care and social services industries to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans was voted out of the House Education and Labor Committee on June 11, and now advances to the full House.

Olympia, WA — A Washington state law slated to go into effect Jan. 1 requires nurses and other health care professionals at larger hospitals to receive uninterrupted meal and rest breaks.