Hospital Employee Health 2003-05-01

Smallpox vaccinee deaths raise concerns about heart link

Two deaths and six other heart-related problems among civilian smallpox vaccinees added to uncertainty as hospitals added more restrictions to the already lackluster vaccination program. One military vaccinee also died of cardiac arrest five days after vaccination.

Hospitals move to protect health workers from SARS

Faced with the alarming worldwide spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which has affected more than 1,500 people in 13 countries, public health authorities alerted hospitals to safeguard health care workers, visitors, and other contacts. As of March 15, more than 90% of the cases had occurred in health care workers caring for SARS patients.

CDC clarifies SARS infection control

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta issued the following guidance for infection control measures when caring for a patient with a suspected case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Is it severe acute respiratory syndrome?

This article outlines symptoms of suspected and probable cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After SARS exposure, check for symptoms

Here is the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidance for the management of exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome in health care settings.

Ergo guidelines called too weak to halt injuries

With guidelines that are much weaker than the rule it once proposed, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommended that manual lifting of [nursing home] residents be minimized in all cases and eliminated when feasible.

Zero lift means zero injuries for Ohio nursing home

When Joe Jolliff, administrator of the Wyandot County Nursing Home in Upper Sandusky, OH, first brought in a sit-to-stand lift, nursing assistants didnt even want to try it. Today, nursing assistants tell Jolliff they cant imagine going back to life without it.

Questions to Ask About Ergo Equipment

How can you select the equipment that will be right for your hospital? Feedback from employees and from other facilities that have used the equipment will provide valuable information. But the Occupational Safety and Health Administration also suggests some questions to ask the vendor.

OSHA warning letters double for hospitals

More hospitals than ever have received warning letters from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) because they have lost-time injury and illness rates that are twice the national average for all industry.

Smallpox success: No problems with vaccine

Despite reports about a possible link between heart problems and the smallpox vaccine, most vaccination sites have reported little more than discomfort among the vaccinees. At one Omaha, NE, hospital, prescreening and preparation led to a smooth, problem-free experience.

Doctor with TB exposes patients, co-workers

For a few days last fall, a hospitalist in Duluth, MN, came to work with a lingering cough that he thought was a stubborn case of bronchitis. In fact, he had an active case of tuberculosis and had inadvertently exposed patients and co-workers.

OSHA targets high-hazard jobs in proposed budget

Targeted enforcement of the most hazardous workplaces, including nursing homes, would increase in the proposed FY 2004 budget for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA also announced an enhanced enforcement policy for employers who expose their workers to serious safety and health hazards and who continue to defy worker safety and health regulations.

Hospital Employee Health – May 1, 2003

May 1, 2003