Nurses Responding to Nurses’ Health in the Workplace
When the hospital faced the unprecdented opportunity to integrate safe needlepractice whenever possible at BWH, it turned to the professionals at Occupational Health Services for guidance. Whether dealing with TB tests,workplace injuries or education, OHS is a resource for nurses across the continuum of care provided. Led by director Marlene Freeley, MS, RN and medical director Dean Hashimoto, MD, the service is ready to respond to or consult with nurses on a number of workplace health issues.
“Our mission is to ensure that the work environment for all staff, including nurses, is healthy and safe in order for them to perform their jobs,” said Freeley.
In stride with its mission of fostering a safe environment for nurses and other staff, OHS played a large role in the hospital’s needle safety efforts. Duringthe implementation of the program, OHS provided input on product selection, increased awareness of safety issues and led the charge of an effort to changebehavior as a means of preventing needle sticks.
OHS is also responsible for the significant charge of ensuring that the entire staff is screened for tuberculosis on an annual basis and providing the flu vaccine to any interested staff. As a result of making their services accessible during second and third shift and weekend hours, OHS nurses were able to administer nearly 9,000 TB screenings and more than 4,500 flu vaccines over the last year.
1. Clinical Services
OHS exists to serve all staff, including nurses, when a bloodborne pathogen exposure occurs. In addition, all workplace injuries are handled by OHS staff. OHS nurses are there to diagnose, treat and follow-through on such exposures and injuries.
2. Consultations
OHS can provide consultations on an array of workplace issues. Nurses can ask for OHS to evaluate possible causes of a particular injury or other incidence that seems to be prevalent in a particular pod or floor at BWH.
3. Education
OHS staff provides regular preventative educational programming on a number of OHS topics and issues. Two examples include Nursing Grand Rounds and co-sponsoring the Annual OHS Conference with Nursing Professional Development Department.
4. Administrative Functions
All paperwork for worker’s compensation claims are facilitated by OHS. OHS nurses serve as liaisons between BWH nurses and the Partners Worker’s Compensation Division. In addition to worker’s compensation claims, OHS also assists with disability policy and requests for accommodation.
5. Research
To better identify trends related to bloodborne pathogens and work-related injuries and hazards, OHS keeps good track of incidences time. As a result, much work is done to present opportunities for improvement. Often OHS and Nursing collaborate on courses of action related to such improvement.
Risks and the nature of work involved in patient care generate significant activity. The following are some statistics of BWH OHS activity over the last year:
• 348 bloodborne pathogen exposure evaluations
• 4,835 flu vaccines
• 8,750 TB screenings
• 4,250 pre-placement health screenings for new employees, volunteers and students
• 774 return to work visits
A clear example of how OHS continually works to identify programs that will benefit BWH employees is its new “transitional duty program.” The program allows for injured employees to carry out alternative work that matches their diminished work capacity in order to receive full compensation, rather than a reduced salary under worker’s compensation.
Nurse educators and nurse managers are encouraged to contact OHS for educational or consultation programs in their respective areas. OHS’ (ext. 8501) mid-campus office is located on the ground level Pike. Hours of service are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. During the time OHS is closed, care is provided in the Emergency Department.