Occupational Health Nursing PDF

What is work & health WORK / OCCUPATION  An essential human activity that occupy a considerable...

What is work & health WORK / OCCUPATION  An essential human activity that occupy a considerable part of a person’s waking hours OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING  Can be stimulating & rewarding (OHN)  Can contribute to stress HEALTH Selda SEÇGİNLİ, PhD, Proff.  NOT merely the absence of disease BUT a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being What is occupational health? What is Occupational Health? WHO defined Occupational Health as; The joint international labor organization committee on ‘the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of Occupational health, 1950 defined occupational health as physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations’ “The highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations Demographic trends and access issues related to Demographic trends and access issues occupational healthcare related to occupational healthcare Aging Workforce New Technologies: Protecting the workforce requires that workers have properly fitting tools, machines, workspaces, Diversity in the Workforce: Workforces are becoming more personal protective equipment (PPE), and wearable devices such diverse in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and cultural as exoskeletons. backgrounds. Language barriers, cultural perceptions of Occupational Health Disparities: Workers in lower-wage jobs health, and varying health beliefs can impact access to and may have limited access to occupational health services. utilization of occupational health services. Occupational Health Literacy: Varied levels of health literacy Non-Standard Work Arrangements: Workers in non- among workers impact their understanding of occupational health traditional employment arrangements may face challenges risks and preventive measures in accessing occupational health services due to a lack of Mental Health in the Workplace: Mental health support is crucial, employer-sponsored benefits. and ensuring access to counseling and stress management resources is essential. Reducing stigma and fostering a supportive Based on their gender identity and sexual orientation, workers may workplace culture are key components. experience exclusion, discrimination, and violence 1  What is occupational health nursing? Application of nursing principles in conserving the health of workers at the workplace. Based on principles of recognition, prevention and treatment of illness, injuries. Formally known as ‘Industrial Nursing’ Aims of OHN Objectives Promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations ; Maintenance and promotion of workers’ health and working - by preventing- departures from health-caused by their working capacity (Health monitoring) conditions, - protecting the workers in their employment - Improvement of working environment and work to become from risks resulting from factors adverse to conducive to safety and health(Worksite visits) health Development of work organisations and working cultures in a - and adaptation of work to the workers and workers to their jobs direction, which supports health and safety at work(Health Education) OHN knowledge domains Objectives To prevent occupational hazards/ diseases. To achieve maximum human efficiency and machine efficiency. To reduce sick absenteeism. 2  OHN knowledge domains OHN knowledge domains Occupational health sciences, including toxicology, industrial hygiene, ergonomics Nursing science, which provides the context for health care delivery and recognizes the needs of individuals, groups, and populations Epidemiology, to study health and illness trends and within the framework of prevention, health promotion, and illness characteristics of the worker population, investigate work- and injury care management, including risk assessment, risk manage- related illness and injury episodes, and apply ment, and risk communication epidemiological methods to analyze and interpret risk data Medical science specific to treatment and management of occupational to determine causal relationships and to participate in health illness and injury, integrated with nursing health surveillance epidemiological research activities OHN knowledge domains OHN knowledge domains Business and economic theories, concepts, and princi- ples Environmental health, to systematically examine inter- for strategic and operational planning, for valuing quality relationships between the worker and the extended and cost-effective services, and for management of environment as a basis for the development of prevention occupational health and safety programs and control strategies Social and behavioral sciences, to explore influences of Legal and ethical issues, to ensure compliance with various environments (e.g., work and home), relationships, regulatory mandates and contend with ethical concerns that and lifestyle factors on worker health and determine the may arise in competitive environments interactions affecting worker health The Scope of OHN practice Occupational injuries such as a cut, fracture, sprain, 1. Prevention of occupational injuries amputation, etc, that may results from a single instantaneous exposure or incident in the work department 2. Prevention of occupational illness or during the course of work. 3. Reducing work place hazards 4. Promotion of worker’s health 5. Restoration of worker’s health (maintenance of worker’s health) 3  Occupational illness Work and Health Exposure to health hazards in the workplace may cause adverse health effects any abnormal condition or disorder, other than one resulting from an occupational injury caused by exposure Disease development depends on; to environmental factors associated with employment. host factors, non-occupational exposure (lifestyles & hobbies), environmental factors, inherent properties of the agent, exposure level, exposure length & other workplace stressors. It can be acute or chronic illnesses, following exposure to the hazards through inhalation, absorption, ingestion, or direct contact. Workplace Hazards Cause and effects Physical hazards Lung cancer Cause is hard to see Chemical hazards Fume fevers Stress Leukaemia Biological hazards Dermatitis Musculo-skeletal disorders Mechanical hazards Solvent effects NIHL Psychosocial hazards Welder’s Flash Cause is Mesothelioma easy to see Accidents Ergonomic Hazards Minutes Days Months Years Decades Safety Hazards and Risks in the Workplace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBxU9A6W6Vw Workplace Hazards HAZARD: A hot-tempered supervisor screaming at staff. RISK: A mental health issue for a staff member. HAZARD: An extension cord running across a frequently used hallway. RISK: A trip and possible injury resulting. 4  Occupational Diseases Lung diseases Occupational lung diseases include asbestosis among asbestos miners and those who work with friable asbestos insulation, as well as black lung (coalworker's pneumoconiosis) among coal miners, silicosis among miners and quarrying and tunnel operators and byssinosis among workers in parts of the cotton textile industry. Occupational asthma has a vast number of occupations at risk. Bad indoor air quality may predispose for diseases in the lungs as well as in other parts of the body. Carpal tunnel syndrome among persons who work in Occupational Diseases the poultry industry and information technology Skin diseases Occupational skin diseases are ranked among the top five occupational diseases in many countries. Conditions are generally caused by chemicals and having wet hands for long periods while at work. Eczema is by far the most common, but urticaria, sunburn and skin cancer are also of concern. High-risk occupations include Computer vision syndrome among persons using Hairdressing information technology for hours Catering Healthcare Printing Lead poisoning affecting workers in many industries that Metal machining processed or employed lead or lead compounds Motor vehicle repair Construction Infectious diseases transmitted through unsanitary working conditions, such as meningitis, whooping cough, or bloodborne illnesses Nonfatal injury and illness profile of registered nurses (The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018) 5  Nonfatal injury and illness profile of registered nurses Nonfatal injury and illness profile of registered nurses (The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018) (The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018) Nonfatal injury and illness profile Basic Principles of Disease Prevention of registered nurses High NURSING INTERVENTIONS Higher level degree Treatment / Referral of surveillance of hazard Lung Function Test TERTIARY Personal Protective PREVENTION Equipment System of enquiry Health Screening Early detection SECONDARY PREVENTION Health education Lower level Base-line health Limited evidence of hazard and assessment of surveillance exposure Elimination of substances PRIMARY PREVENTION (The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018) Primary prevention Secondary prevention Early diagnosis and treatments Evaluating risk reduction behaviours Screenings such as vision, cancer, cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary function Identification of hazards Preplacement examination Accident prevention For example, if the employee is going to be lifting materials in a Implements programs such as weight and cholesterol warehouse, special attention should be paid to any history of reduction, ergonomis training, AIDS awareness musculoskeletal problems. Strength testing and range of motion should be performed for all muscle groups. Improving work environment for mothers Immunization For example, if the employee is working with a chemical that is a known Stress management liver toxin, baseline liver function tests may be appropriate to determine the current health status of the liver and its ability to handle this specific chemical exposure. 6  Secondary prevention Tertiary prevention Periodic assessment Rehabilitation and restoration of workers It usually occur at regular intervals (e.g., annual and biannual) and are The goal is to provide temporary work that is less physically based on specific protocols for those exposed to substances or irritants demanding in nature than the employee’s regular work. such as lead, asbestos, noise, or various chemicals. The occupational health nurse can monitor and support the health of employees returning to work who continue to experience adverse Early detection health effects of chronic disease. Activities focus on early detection by increasing awareness of the For example, the employee who is returning to work after sustaining a incidence of commonly occurring health conditions such as breast myocardial infarction may have blood pressure monitored on a routine cancer and providing accessible and affordable screening programs basis. Workplace Health & Safety Who are the Occupational Health Team? Who are legally responsible for identifying Occupational health physician Industrial psychologist and correcting health and safety hazards? Occupational health nurse Ergonomist Authorised personnels Occupational health Occupational therapist Employers epidemiologist Physiotherapist Occupational hygienist Contractors Health educator Industrial toxicologist Owners Safety engineer Workers Supervisors Self-employers persons Suppliers Ergonomist Ergonomics Lifting and handling loads design the workplace and the job to fit the worker. It deals with designing and changing the workplace to ensure employees Work that involves standing for long periods of are not injured or made unusually uncomfortable when working. time, antifatigue mats and footrests Situations where it is appropriate for workers to be permitted to sit while working, seating requirements and footrest Musculoskeletal injuries which include muscle injuries or disorders of tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, bones, etc 7 Hygienist Code of Ethics in OHN responsible for recognizing, evaluating and controlling health hazards in the workplace. to do this an occupational hygienist will examine the work environment and work activities. Research Priorites in OHN References Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2018). Occupational injuries and illnesses among registered nurses, Monthly Labor Review, https://doi.org/10.21916/mlr.2018.27 Feary, J., Lindstrom, I., Huntley, C. C., Suojalehto, H., & de la Hoz, R. E. (2023). Occupational lung disease: when should I think of it and why is it important?. Breathe, 19(2). Rector, C. (2018). Community and public health nursing : promoting the public’s health. 9th edition. Philadelphia : Wolters Kluwer ILO List of Occupational Diseases. (2010). https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_protect/@protrav/@saf ework/documents/publication/wcms_125137.pdf Schütte, M. G., Tamminga, S. J., de Groene, G. J., Kezic, S., & van der Molen, H. F. (2023). Work‐related and personal risk factors for occupational contact dermatitis: A systematic review of the literature with meta‐analysis. Contact Dermatitis, 88(3), 171-187. Uter, W., Johansen, J. D., Macan, J., Symanzik, C., & John, S. M. (2023). Diagnostics and prevention of occupational allergy in hairdressers. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 1-9. 8