Health Care Workers

Des Plaines, IL — Safe and appropriate staffing levels in emergency rooms can help reduce fatigue among nurses, the Emergency Nurses Association asserts in a recent draft position statement.

Columbus, OH — Legislation that would prohibit Ohio nurses from working mandatory overtime was approved by the state House on June 7.

Toronto — Women who work 45 or more hours a week may have an increased risk of diabetes, according to a recent study from the Institute for Work and Health and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences.

Norwich, England — Frequent victims of workplace aggression and bullying may experience adverse health effects and, in turn, behave cruelly toward others, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia.

Washington — Manufacturers of certain N95 respirators will be able to submit a single application to NIOSH, rather than to both the Food and Drug Administration and NIOSH, before marketing their product to the health care industry, according to an FDA final order published in the May 17 Federal Register.

Washington — New guidance from NIOSH is intended to help protect health care workers from exposure to illicit, non-pharmaceutical fentanyl, a synthetic opioid considered up to 50 times more potent than heroin.

Oakbrook Terrace, IL — Prompted by OSHA data showing that about three-quarters of workplace assaults occur in health care and social service settings, accreditation organization The Joint Commission has released a Sentinel Event Alert on the issue.

Washington — More than 20 percent of workers are obese, don’t get enough physical activity or are short on sleep, according to a recent study from NIOSH.

Irvine, CA — Have you ever had a disagreement with a co-worker that had you fretting for days? New research claims lingering feelings of stress may negatively affect your future health.

Washington — Seal checks should be conducted every time respiratory protection is used on the job, and employers and workers should ensure the equipment is worn properly so an adequate seal is achieved, NIOSH states in a recently published list of frequently asked questions about user seal checks.