Health Care Workers

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.

Washington — NIOSH has issued a guide intended to help employers select appropriate air-purifying respirators based on the environment and contaminants at specific jobsites.

Spokane, WA — Individual organs in the digestive system contain separate biological clocks that may influence the metabolism of people who work the night shift and help explain a link to shift worker health problems such as obesity and diabetes, a recent study from researchers at Washington State University suggests.

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.

Melbourne, Australia — An antibiotic-resistant hospital superbug may be growing progressively more tolerant to alcohols used in hand sanitizers and disinfectants, according to a recent study from Austin Health and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.

Southampton, England — Nurses who regularly work 12-hour shifts or longer have more illness-related absences than those who work shorter shifts, according a study led by researchers at the University of Southampton.

Washington — OSHA recently announced an update of its webpage on avian influenza.

Ann Arbor, MI — Health care workers may be contaminating themselves and their work environments by neglecting to use personal protective equipment and follow preventive protocol, according to a study from researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Utah.