Health Care


NIOSH Releases Food Services Safety Agenda

Comprehensive injury and illness prevention programs are recommended to reduce the risks for occupational injury, illness, and death in the food services industry.

Metal Finishing Firm Hit with $151,400 in Fines for Physical, Chemical Hazards

OSHA opened an inspection after receiving a report that employees were performing small parts plating operations without protection against chemical and physical hazards.

Growth in Health Benefit Costs Slowing, Mercer Survey Shows

The latest annual survey pegged the growth at 6.1 percent this year, down from 6.9 percent in 2009, with a projected 5.7 percent increase projected next year.

Smoke-Free Workplaces Reduce Heart Attacks, Study Says

Research suggests that the incidence of heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths was cut in half among Olmsted County, Minn., residents after a smoke-free ordinance took effect.

CDC Tool Tracks Antibiotic Use in Hospitals

Previously, the agency could track it in doctors' offices only.

In Unfit Men, Heavy Work May Increase Fatal Heart Disease Risk: Study

The results suggest that by maintaining good physical fitness, men who engage in heavy labor can avoid increased risk, and possibly even lower their risk of death from heart disease.

U.S. Supreme Court Accepts Three Appeals of Health Care Reform Law

Lyle Denniston wrote on the SCOTUSblog that the court's allowing 5.5 hours for oral argument "appeared to be a modern record."

Washington Dept. of Labor Proposes Standards for Medical Providers Who Treat Injured Workers

The proposed standards are the first step in creating a statewide network of providers to treat people with work-related injuries and illnesses.



Two Winners in 2011 AMA App Challenge

The Rounder app won the physician category and the JAMA Clinical Challenge app won the resident/fellow/medical student category, the American Medical Association announced Nov. 11.

Firefighter Injuries Down Eight Percent from 2009: NFPA

The report takes a look at the number of 2010 firefighter injuries, injuries by type of duty, exposures to infectious diseases, and how a community’s size affects the number of injuries within a fire department.

Health Care Wastes Get WHO's Attention

A new fact sheet from the World Health Organization sums up the problems of improper sharps disposal and health care waste that often is not separated into hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams in low-income countries.

Toyota Demonstrates Patient Handling Robot

The company recently displayed four new robots that are part of its Toyota Partner Robot series. These four are for use in nursing and health care.

NIOSH Releases New Fact Sheet on Diacetyl Exposure

NIOSH recently compiled a fact sheet on lung disease that can result from exposure to flavoring chemicals containing diacetyl.

FDA Launches Website on Proper Disposal of Sharps

After being used, many sharps end up in home and public trash cans or flushed down toilets. This kind of improper disposal puts people, such as sanitation workers, sewage treatment workers, and janitors at risk for needlestick injuries or infection with viruses.

New Humana President in Line for CEO

Bruce D. Broussard, who had been CEO of McKesson Specialty Health, has been appointed president and is expected to become Humana’s CEO when the current chief, Mike McCallister, retires in 12-18 months.

Long-Term Caregiver Training Initiative Passes

Washington state voters on Nov. 8 passed Initiative 1163, which would raise the required basic training for most new long-term care workers from 34 hours to 75 hours, by a 2-to-1 margin.

IOM to Release Report on Health IT and Patient Safety

The "Health IT and Patient Safety: Building Systems for Better Care" report will be released Nov. 10.

Tips for Adjusting to Time Change as Clocks Fall Back this Weekend

While the time change provides an additional hour of slumber, sleep experts from Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago warn that the one hour shift in time can be disruptive to sleep patterns and recommend people use the end of daylight saving time as a time to evaluate their sleep habits.

NIOSH Updates Infectious Disease Exposure List for Emergency Response Workers

The resources include a list of potentially life-threatening infectious diseases, including emerging infectious diseases, and specifying those diseases routinely transmitted through airborne or aerosolized means.

November 2011

The Real Story Behind AED Failures

Today’s AEDs are more reliable than ever, and recalls have declined.

Product Showcase

  • AirChek Connect Sampling Pump

    Stay connected to your sampling with the SKC AirChek® Connect Sampling Pump! With its Bluetooth connection to PC and mobile devices, you can monitor AirChek Connect pump operation without disrupting workflow. SKC designed AirChek Connect specifically for all OEHS professionals to ensure accurate, reliable flows from 5 to 5000 ml/min and extreme ease of use. AirChek Connect offers easy touch screen operation and flexibility. It is quality built to serve you and the workers you protect. Ask about special pricing and a demo at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

  • NoiseCHEK Personal Noise Dosimeter

    SKC NoiseCHEK is the easiest-to-use dosimeter available! Designed specifically for OEHS professionals, SKC NoiseCHEK offers the easiest operation and accurate noise measurements. Everything you need is right in your palm. Pair Bluetooth models to your mobile devices and monitor workers remotely with the SmartWave dB app without interrupting workflow. Careful design features like a locking windscreen, sturdy clip, large front-lit display, bright status LEDs, and more make NoiseCHEK the top choice in noise dosimeters. Demo NoiseCHEK at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

  • Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker WBGT Monitoring for Workplace Safety

    Ensure safety with the Kestrel® 5400 Heat Stress Tracker, the go-to choice for safety professionals and endorsed by the Heat Safety & Performance Coalition. This robust, waterless WBGT meter is ideal for both indoor and outdoor environments, offering advanced monitoring and data logging essential for OSHA compliance. It features pre-programmed ACGIH guidelines and alert settings to quickly signal critical conditions. Integrated with the cloud-based Ambient Weather Network, the 5400 allows managers to view, track, and log job site conditions remotely, ensuring constant awareness of potential hazards. Its capability for real-time mobile alerts and remote data access promotes proactive safety management and workplace protection, solidifying its role as a crucial tool in industrial hygiene. Read More

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