Occupational Health Management Archives – June 1, 2010
June 1, 2010
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Got it? Flaunt it! Put those impressive numbers in front of top leadership
Every occupational health manager has themsimple, easy to understand numbers that are really eye-popping. However, this data may be overlooked, forgotten about, or just plain ignored. -
Didn't get into annual report? Create your own
When it comes to the most important things done by occupational health in a given fiscal year, you don't want to leave anything out. Why not create an annual report for your department? -
Don't violate patient privacy regs for anyone
Have you ever been put into the uncomfortable position of being asked for confidential health information about an employee by a senior leader or administrator? Be ready for this "sticky situation," as it may violate patient privacy regulations, warns Patricia B. Strasser, PhD, RN, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN, principal of Partners in BusinessHealth Solutions in Toledo, OH. -
Know penalties for privacy reg violations
The unauthorized release of employee health information can result in civil, and sometimes criminal, liability under both federal and state laws. For example, covered individuals under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) face civil fines ranging from $100 to $25,000, depending on one's level of intent. Criminal penalties include fines ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 years. -
Do depression screening, or face lower productivity
If an employee is absent more often and supervisors report an impaired work performance, suspect depression. -
Workers may try to hide their depression
Depression isn't typically the first complaint a worker presents to their occupational health professional. In fact, an employee is likely to conceal this from you. -
UPS gets injuries close to zero with mentoring
If you were a delivery truck driver and wanted to avoid a back injury, would you want to be given a list of safety practices by a supervisor? Or would you rather have another driver who has been on the job for ten years injury-free demonstrate how he lifts heavy boxes? -
TB: Stay vigilant as drug resistance spreads
Tuberculosis has continued to decline in the United States even as parts of the world struggle with the growing burden of multi-drug resistant strains. Infectious diseases do not respect borders, however, so TB experts worry that complacency is as much the enemy as the disease. -
Shiftwork may lead to GI upset, sick days
Rotating shifts have been associated with some serious health effects, including cancer, excessive fatigue, depression, and obesity. A recent study links another disorder to the disruption of changing schedules: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). -
HCWs got flu vaccine — but not for H1N1
Hospital employees stepped up for influenza vaccinations at an unprecedented rate this year, but there was just one catch: Many of them received the seasonal flu vaccine but not the H1N1 vaccine.