ABSTRACT
There is an urgent need for stronger protection from aerosol-transmissible diseases in healthcare settings-for workers, patients, volunteers, and visitors. Concerned that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) lacks diversity in expertise and experience and has not consulted widely with all concerned parties regarding a planned update to the 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions, a workshop was developed to consider the science and lessons learned before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sponsored by the New York/New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health Center, Preventing Aerosol-Transmissible Diseases in Healthcare Settings: The Need for Protective Guidelines and Standards was held on October 13, 2023, with these goals: describe current CDC/HICPAC infection prevention guidelines, review current scientific understanding of aerosol-transmissible pathogens, and consider perspectives from a wide range of groups currently excluded from the CDC HICPAC process.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Infection Control , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets , COVID-19/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Workplace violence is an enormous problem worldwide; incidents where the perpetrator is a current or former employee are an important dimension. This large cross-sectional survey examined the prevalence of this problem among a U.S. state government unionized public sector workforce. Using participatory action research methods, we conducted a web-based survey of members of that workforce from a single northeast U.S. state, receiving 11,874 completed surveys (response rate: 71.8%). Overall, 10.0% of the respondents indicated that they had been bullied at work during the prior 6 months, with 71.9% of those who reported regular bullying identifying the perpetrator as a supervisor and/or top management. The prevalence of bullying was similar to the rates reported in Europe and Scandinavia (5%-30%). Those reports also identified the person(s) responsible for the behavior as being predominantly of higher status within the organization.
Subject(s)
Bullying/statistics & numerical data , Crime Victims/psychology , Interpersonal Relations , Labor Unions , Occupational Diseases/psychology , Workplace Violence/psychology , Adult , Crime Victims/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Job Satisfaction , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Prevalence , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States/epidemiology , Workplace Violence/statistics & numerical data , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The federal workers' compensation program includes under a single employer five commonly encountered roles and responsibilities-injured patient, clinical provider, third-party administrator, adjudicator, and insurer. Data within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provide a unique opportunity to apply a simple model of health care quality improvement, exploring interactions between structures, processes, and outcomes. METHODS: A facility survey identified reporting structures, levels of education and training, policies and processes, tool availability and use, and perceptions of role adherence. Administrative data included process and outcome metrics, including short-term disability, long-term disability, and lost time cases. RESULTS: Improved collaboration between clinical and administrative staff within VHA and with the Department of Labor was associated with improved performance. CONCLUSIONS: Applying a clinical quality improvement model clarifies roles, expectations, and likely relationships for improved program management.