Managing occupational hazards confronting healthcare workers

The primary goal of this thesis is to identify, evaluate, and control occupational hazards that may exist in health care facilities. Due to the complex nature of health care facilities, healthcare workers are always challenged by an imposing group of occupational hazards. The magnitude and diversity of these hazards, and the constantly changing nature of government regulations make it difficult to guarantee absolute protection and accuracy of the material contained herein. However, awareness of the risks, compliance with basic preventive measures, and adequate interventions are all essential components to consider in protecting healthcare workers. Therefore, potential health effects of various hazards such as back injuries, heat, noise, infectious hazards, pharmaceutical hazards, chemicals, exposure to radiation, and prevalent psychosocial (stress) problems are reviewed, and rational approaches to managing and preventing these problems are offered. This thesis also presents a broad overview of hospital safety programs, and job safety analyses; it offers assistance in understanding and complying with regulations and guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

Technology applications

A summary of NASA Technology Utilization programs for the period of 1 December 1971 through 31 May 1972 is presented. An abbreviated description of the overall Technology Utilization Applications Program is provided as a background for the specific applications examples. Subjects discussed are in the broad headings of: (1) cancer, (2) cardiovascular disease, (2) medical instrumentation, (4) urinary system disorders, (5) rehabilitation medicine, (6) air and water pollution, (7) housing and urban construction, (8) fire safety, (9) law enforcement and criminalistics, (10) transportation, and (11) mine safety

Applications of aerospace technology in the public sector

Current activities of the program to accelerate specific applications of space related technology in major public sector problem areas are summarized for the period 1 June 1971 through 30 November 1971. An overview of NASA technology, technology applications, and supporting activities are presented. Specific technology applications in biomedicine are reported including cancer detection, treatment and research; cardiovascular diseases, diagnosis, and treatment; medical instrumentation; kidney function disorders, treatment, and research; and rehabilitation medicine

Medicine of emergency situations

Навчальний посібник рекомендований для студентів вищих медичних навчальних закладів IV рівня акредитації, які вивчають медицину надзвичайних ситуацій англійською мовою.This study guide is intended for the students of medical higher educational institutions of IV accreditation level, who study medicine of emergency situations in English

Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms

The Joint Publication 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms sets forth standard US military and associated terminology to encompass the joint activity of the Armed Forces of the United States. These military and associated terms, together with their definitions, constitute approved Department of Defense (DOD) terminology for general use by all DOD components

Blood Pressure Measurement Device for Low Resource Settings

ME450 Capstone Design and Manufacturing Experience: Fall 2015The design team spent eight weeks in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at a tertiary referral hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), in Kumasi, Ghana. During the team’s immersion experience at the hospital, the team observed healthcare providers experiencing difficulty following obstetrics patients’ blood pressure management plans. This occurred largely because of the high volume of patients and the busyness of the wards. The patient's blood pressure measurement strongly influences the treatment especially if she has hypertensive disorders. Hypertensive disorders, mainly preeclampsia and eclampsia, are the second leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide and the leading cause of maternal mortality at KATH. The team identified an opportunity for the development of a blood pressure measurement device to aid the healthcare providers in measuring the patients’ blood pressures every 30 minutes or four hours according to their management plans. This project is in collaboration with clinical mentors and advisors at University of Michigan Hospital and KATH. The final design is an auscultatory device with a microphone stethoscope and headphones to listen to the Korotkoff sounds, a hand pump for manual inflation, an automatic constant rate deflation facilitated by a solenoid valve, a LCD screen to display the current pressure, a slip-on cuff, an aneroid pressure gauge for calibration, a handle, a storage area, and a rechargeable battery. The current prototype follows the design fairly closely however the device is not powered by a rechargeable battery and the electrical components are all on a breadboard which prevents its portability. All validation testing completed so far on the current prototype has been promising including testing the accuracy and ease-of-use of the device when used by three nursing student. This device will be continued to be improved next semester so that it can be taken to KATH for further validation and feedback.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117349/1/ME450-F15-Project07-FinalReport.pd

Orbiting quarantine facility. The Antaeus report

A mission plan for the Orbiting Quarantine Facility (OQF) is presented. Coverage includes system overview, quarantine and protocol, the laboratory, support systems, cost analysis and possible additional uses of the OQF

Healthcare waste management, quantification and intervention in Addis Ababa City Administration health bureau public health facilities

Healthcare waste management is very important due to its hazardous nature that can cause risk to human health and the environment. The study wished to determine the amount of healthcare waste generated in 15 public health centres and 3 hospitals and evaluate the healthcare waste management practices in Addis Ababa City Administration. The aim of the study was to develop a manual for healthcare facilities based on the findings on healthcare waste management practice, quantification and intervention. Data was obtained from questionnaires distributed to 636 randomly selected healthcare professionals, ancillary staff and managers and by means of surveying the facilities. The mean HCW generation rate was 10.64 + 5.79 kg/day, of which 37.26% (3.96 + 2.017kg/day) was general waste and 62.74% (6.68 + 4.293 kg/day) was hazardous waste from the surveyed health centres. HCW generation and quantification was not measured and documented in any of the HCFs. Quantifying HCW would help determine the type of waste as well as the HCFs that generate the highest and lowest HCW, which could have implications for resource allocation in managing HCW. Segregation of different types of wastes was not regularly done. Some HCFs had separate storage areas for HCW and separate containers for hazardous and nonhazardous waste. In some instances, however, the containers were not clearly marked. Regarding storage, some of the HCFs had interim storage sites and HCW disposal sites. Several interim storage facilities lacked security and surveillance and were not cleaned after collection. In addition, HCW remained at the interim storage facilities for more than 48 hours before final disposal. The main forms of on-site treatment of HCW before disposal were burning, crushing sharps, sterilisation and chemical disinfection. The most common treatment method used for HCW was incineration. Most HCW handlers had not received adequate training; did not wear PPE, and did not take precautionary measures, such as washing their hands and heavy duty gloves after handling HCW. The researcher developed a manual for effective HCW management and training of HCW handlers. Based on the findings, the study makes recommendations for policy, education, HCW management, including generation, segregation, storage, transportation and disposal, and further research.Health StudiesD. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies

Radiation practices : Annual Report 2022

A total of 2 742 safety licences for the use of ionizing radiation were current at the end of 2022, in addition to three safety licences for aviation operations. The use of radiation was controlled through regular inspections performed in places of use, regulatory control queries, and maintenance of the Dose Register. The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) conducted 194 inspections of safety-licensed practices in 2022. A total of 14 500 workers were subject to individual monitoring in 2022. Around 73 600 dose entries were recorded in the Dose Register maintained by STUK. In 2022, the operations of the Non-Ionizing Radiation Surveillance Unit (NIR) differed from a regular year due to STUK’s moving to new premises and a more extensive service project. The control of beauty care and sunbed services was approximately at its normal level. Onsite inspections of laser shows were carried out more narrowly than in previous years, even though the number of notifications of laser shows was returning to pre-coronavirus level. Product control was narrower than usual and focused more on document-based control due to an interruption of laboratory activities that lasted several months. While the number of statements issued was significantly higher than in previous years, the number of inquiries submitted by citizens and undertakings decreased from the previous year. In metrological activities, national metrological standards were maintained, and radiation meters used in radiotherapy, radiation protection and X-ray imaging as well as radon meters used for measuring radon in the air were calibrated. The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority moved to Vantaa, which caused a short interruption in calibration services. STUK participated in several measurement comparisons during the year. STUK is involved in several dosimetry research projects, of which STUK will coordinate two starting in 2023. There were 41 radiation safety deviations related to radiation use in 2022. Of these incidents, 17 concerned the use of radiation in industry and research, 18 the use of radiation in health care, three the use of radiation in veterinary practices and three the use of non-ionizing radiation. In addition, 2 198 incidents and near misses assessed to be of minor significance for safety were reported in health care, and 35 radiation safety deviations were compiled for summarized reporting in industry and research. Over 8 000 radon measurements at over 2 000 workplaces were recorded in the National Radon Database in 2022. At approximately 17% of the measured conventional workplaces, the annual average for radon concentration exceeded the reference level of 300 Bq/m³

Landmines, Explosive Remnants of War and IED Safety Handbook

This handbook is not an instruction manual for working with landmines and explosive hazards. It is not a guide for working with landmine, ERW and IED affected communities. Rather, its aim is to raise awareness and provide basic safety information concerning the threat of landmines, ERW and IEDs to organizations and individuals working in affected areas, and to help them: • Establish appropriate safety procedures; • Avoid contact with mines, ERW and IEDs and • Take appropriate action in emergency situations