NIOSH health and safety practices survey of healthcare workers: training and awareness of employer safety procedures.

BACKGROUND The Health and Safety Practices Survey of Healthcare Workers describes current practices used to minimize chemical exposures and barriers to using recommended personal protective equipment for the following: antineoplastic drugs, anesthetic gases, high level disinfectants, surgical smoke, aerosolized medications (pentamidine, ribavirin, and antibiotics), and chemical sterilants. METHODS Twenty-one healthcare professional practice organizations collaborated with NIOSH to develop and implement the web-based survey. RESULTS Twelve thousand twenty-eight respondents included professional, technical, and support occupations which routinely come in contact with the targeted hazardous chemicals. Chemical-specific safe handling training was lowest for aerosolized antibiotics (52%, n = 316), and surgical smoke (57%, n = 4,747). Reported employer procedures for minimizing exposure was lowest for surgical smoke (32%, n = 4,746) and anesthetic gases (56%, n = 3,604). CONCLUSIONS Training and having procedures in place to minimize exposure to these chemicals is one indication of employer and worker safety awareness. Safe handling practices for use of these chemicals will be reported in subsequent papers.

[1]  Yvonne Jaeger,et al.  Designing Effective Web Surveys , 2016 .

[2]  Jonathan dela Cruz,et al.  Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) , 2015 .

[3]  E. Krieg,et al.  Evaluation of Antineoplastic Drug Exposure of Health Care Workers at Three University-Based US Cancer Centers , 2010, Journal of occupational and environmental medicine.

[4]  Angela P. Wetzel.  Internet, mail, and mixed‐mode surveys: The tailored design method , 2010 .

[5]  Connecticut..  North American Industry Classification System (Naics) , 2007 .

[6]  K. Teschke,et al.  Considering risks to healthcare workers from glutaraldehyde alternatives in high-level disinfection. , 2005, The Journal of hospital infection.

[7]  L. Davis,et al.  Cleaning Products and Work-Related Asthma , 2003, Journal of occupational and environmental medicine.

[8]  E. Larson,et al.  Chemotherapy-handling practices of outpatient and office-based oncology nurses. , 2003, Oncology nursing forum.

[9]  C. Winstin.  The effects of smoke plume generated during laser and electrosurgical procedures. , 1994, Minimally invasive surgical nursing.

[10]  R. Chaisson,et al.  Health effects and exposure assessment of aerosolized pentamidine handlers. , 1993, Chest.

[11]  W. Vollmer,et al.  Antineoplastic drug handling protection after OSHA guidelines. Comparison by profession, handling activity, and work site. , 1992, Journal of occupational medicine. : official publication of the Industrial Medical Association.

[12]  M. Key.  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; occupational exposure to inorganic lead: request for comments and information; republication--NIOSH. Request for comments and information relevant to occupational exposure to inorganic lead. , 1997, Federal register.