AAOHN clarifies nurse/employee ratio
To the editor: I would like to comment on the article in the November issue of Occupational Health Management, p. 121, titled, "Managed care offers require data: Are you ready?" The article says that the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses in Atlanta (AAOHN) "recommends" a specific ratio of nurses to employees.
While the numbers quoted in the article do appear in the AAOHN publication, Occupational Health Nursing The Answer to Health Care Cost Containment, it is critical to note that AAOHN first states that the number of nurses required for a comprehensive occupational health nursing program is determined by:
• the size of the company;
• the number and health characteristics of the employees;
• the type of processes, services, or industry;
• potential health and safety hazards.
The section concludes with the statement, "Larger and more hazardous occupational settings require more nursing personnel for shift coverage. Smaller organizations can implement an effective program with part-time nursing services."
Clearly the primary emphasis is on selecting the appropriate number and mix of staff needed to ensure the health and safety of workers and the work environment in a specific workplace. While productivity is important with today’s emphasis on managed care and cost management, the primary concern must be on quality of care and accountability for the services provided. The key point is the importance of assessing individual situations, whether one is employed by a company or is providing services to a number of companies in a contract situation, rather than focusing on a set of ratio of providers to employees. AAOHN’s Guidelines for an Occupational Health and Safety Service is an excellent resource for occupational health providers to use in implementing occupational health and safety programs
Geraldine C. Williamson, MN, RN, CAE
Director of Public Affairs
AAOHN
Atlanta
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