LGBT+ Competent Care.

Over 11 million U.S. adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Occupational health nurses must understand issues specific to this population to deliver competent care.

Estudio sobre las competencias profesionales de Enfermería del Trabajo en España / A study of Occupational Health Nursing competencias and skills in Spain

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la importancia y el grado de desarrollo de las competencias profesionales de los/as Enfermeros/as del Trabajo descritas en la Orden SAS/1348/2009 en las áreas preventiva, asistencial, legal y pericial, gestión, docencia e investigación. METODOLOGÍA: Investigación de carácter observacional, descriptivo y transversal que utilizó como población a estudio los especialistas en Enfermería del Trabajo vinculados a sociedades profesionales específicas y/o multidisciplinares. La recogida de datos se realizó en 2014 mediante un cuestionario diseñado por un panel de expertos. El análisis descriptivo incluyó el perfil sociodemográfico del colectivo, el análisis bivariado determinó la importancia y el grado de desarrollo de cada competencia según las variables independientes definidas, y finalmente el modelo de regresión lineal múltiple explica los factores determinantes. RESULTADOS: En el análisis descriptivo de competencias en cuanto a la importancia atribuida, tres son las competencias que destacan: gestionar un sistema de registro que asegure la confidencialidad de los datos; incrementar el nivel de salud del trabajador mediante la promoción y prevención de riesgos e identificar problemas de salud laboral reales o potenciales. En cuanto al mayor grado de desarrollo resaltan las siguientes: gestión de un sistema de registro de confidencialidad; prestar atención de urgencia y emergencia en el centro de trabajo e identificar problemas de salud laboral reales o potenciales. DISCUSIÓN: La adscripción a cada modalidad de servicio de prevención, el sector económico de la empresa y los años de experiencia profesional, resultan determinantes en la importancia y el grado de desarrollo de cada una de sus competencias

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance and degree of development of the professional competences of occupational health nursing specialists in Spain described in Public Order SAS/1348/2009 in the areas of prevention, clinical care services, legal expertise, management, teaching and research. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional, descriptive study surveyed occupational health nurse members of specific and/or relevant multidisciplinary professional societies at the autonomous community or state levels in Spain. A questionnaire, designed by an expert panel and centered on approved professional competencies was administered in 2014. Descriptive statistics summarized the sociodemographic profile of respondents. Bivariate analysis, followed by multivariate linear regression analysis, was used to measure associations between specific independent variables and both the perceived importance and degree of development of each competency. RESULTS: In the descriptive analysis of perceived importance, there are three competencies that stand out: manage a registration system that ensures the confidentiality of the data; increase the health level of the worker through health promotion and risk prevention, and identify real or potential occupational health problems. Regarding highest degree of development, the following stand out: management of a confidentiality registration system; provide urgent and emergency care in the workplace and identify real or potential occupational health problems. DISCUSSION: Type of occupational health service, the economic sector to which the company belonged and years of professional experience were associated with both the importance and degree of development of each of the competencias

[Estudio sobre las competencias profesionales de Enfermería del Trabajo en España]. / A study of Occupational Health Nursing competencies and skills in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance and degree of development of the professional competences of occupational health nursing specialists in Spain described in Public Order SAS/1348/2009 in the areas of prevention, clinical care services, legal expertise, management, teaching and research. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional, descriptive study surveyed occupational health nurse members of specific and/or relevant multidisciplinary professional societies at the autonomous community or state levels in Spain. A questionnaire, designed by an expert panel and centered on approved professional competencies was administered in 2014. Descriptive statistics summarized the sociodemographic profile of respondents. Bivariate analysis, followed by multivariate linear regression analysis, was used to measure associations between specific independent variables and both the perceived importance and degree of development of each competency. RESULTS: In the descriptive analysis of perceived importance, there are three competencies that stand out: manage a registration system that ensures the confidentiality of the data; increase the health level of the worker through health promotion and risk prevention, and identify real or potential occupational health problems. Regarding highest degree of development, the following stand out: management of a confidentiality registration system; provide urgent and emergency care in the workplace and identify real or potential occupational health problems. DISCUSSION: Type of occupational health service, the economic sector to which the company belonged and years of professional experience were associated with both the importance and degree of development of each of the competencies.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la importancia y el grado de desarrollo de las competencias profesionales de los/as Enfermeros/as del Trabajo descritas en la Orden SAS/1348/2009 en las áreas preventiva, asistencial, legal y pericial, gestión, docencia e investigación. METODOLOGÍA: Investigación de carácter observacional, descriptivo y transversal que utilizó como población a estudio los especialistas en Enfermería del Trabajo vinculados a sociedades profesionales específicas y/o multidisciplinares. La recogida de datos se realizó en 2014 mediante un cuestionario diseñado por un panel de expertos. El análisis descriptivo incluyó el perfil sociodemográfico del colectivo, el análisis bivariado determinó la importancia y el grado de desarrollo de cada competencia según las variables independientes definidas, y finalmente el modelo de regresión lineal múltiple explica los factores determinantes. RESULTADOS: En el análisis descriptivo de competencias en cuanto a la importancia atribuida, tres son las competencias que destacan: gestionar un sistema de registro que asegure la confidencialidad de los datos; incrementar el nivel de salud del trabajador mediante la promoción y prevención de riesgos e identificar problemas de salud laboral reales o potenciales. En cuanto al mayor grado de desarrollo resaltan las siguientes: gestión de un sistema de registro de confidencialidad; prestar atención de urgencia y emergencia en el centro de trabajo e identificar problemas de salud laboral reales o potenciales. DISCUSIÓN: La adscripción a cada modalidad de servicio de prevención, el sector económico de la empresa y los años de experiencia profesional, resultan determinantes en la importancia y el grado de desarrollo de cada una de sus competencias.

Occupational Health Nursing: Competence and experience to achieve the safety, health and well-being of the working population. / Enfermería del Trabajo: competencia y experiencia para alcanzar la seguridad, la salud y el bienestar de la población laboral.

From 1953, with the appearance of the Company Occupational Health Technical Assistant Specialist, until 2005, with the recognition of the specialty of Occupational Health Nursing, socio-cultural and technological changes have determined the evolution of work, its processes and conditions, but have also specified the occupational risks to which workers are exposed, as well as how to organize prevention, safety and occupational health. Occupational Health Nursing is defined as a nursing specialty that addresses the health status of individuals in their relationship with the workplace, in order to achieve the highest level of physical, mental and social well-being of the working population, taking into account the individual characteristics of the worker, the job and the socio-labour environment in which they develop. Occupational Health Nursing undertakes its basic functions through the surveillance of workers' health, and constitutes, beside Occupational Medicine, the basic health unit, which in turn is part of the prevention services of both public and private companies. Today there are about 9,000 specialists in Occupational Health Nursing in Spain, an insufficient number to guarantee the prevention of accidents at work and occupational diseases, the early detection of occupational pathology, the promotion of health through modification of lifestyles and the improvement of the well-being of the Spanish working population. Occupational Health Nursing is aware of the challenges that it must face in the coming years and therefore, it relies on competences as fundamental as teaching, management and research to integrate into interdisciplinary projects in occupational health that provide solutions to increasingly complex health and safety problems at work.

Hepatitis C Competency and Outreach of Occupational Health Nurses.

In the United States, approximately one half of individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) are not aware of their status. Current HCV treatment is highly successful and is associated with a decrease in all-cause mortality. Occupational health nurses (OHNs) are often the sole health care providers at worksites and have a unique opportunity to provide HCV education, screening, and linkage to care. This project measured changes in OHN HCV competency and outreach, and identified barriers to screening. In June 2017, Survey 1 was emailed to 3,414 American Association of Occupational Health Nurse (AAOHN) members. For HCV competence, HCV knowledge and confidence in educating and counseling employees regarding HCV were assessed. HCV outreach and barriers to screening were identified. The HCV educational campaign launched in October 2017 with a webinar, a webpage/toolkit, and educational emails. Survey 2 was emailed in January 2018 to assess for changes in HCV competency and outreach. A total of 445 OHNs responded to Survey 1, and 111 completed both surveys, and participant demographics represented AAOHN membership base (95% female, mean age 56.4). The average HCV knowledge pretest score was 76% and posttest score was 77%. Confidence in educating/counseling employees about HCV increased from 2.6 to 2.9 (on a 1-5 scale; p = .052). Higher pretest scores were associated with bachelor's degree (BS/BA) education or above, greater confidence in HCV education/counseling of employees, and HCV education participation within the prior 12 months. There are ongoing HCV learning needs for OHNs and greater opportunities for HCV outreach in worksites.

A vision of ethics in efficient occupational healthcare.

BACKGROUND:: Occupational healthcare is nowadays more and more regulated by economic demands of gain and efficiency. AIM AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS:: The aim of this study is to reach a new understanding of ethics in occupational healthcare by uncovering this from occupational healthcare nurses' own views. The research questions are as follows: (1) What is the core of an ethical value base in occupational healthcare? (2) What does it mean for occupational healthcare nurses to fulfill their ethical value base in occupational healthcare? RESEARCH DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND RESEARCH CONTEXT:: The study uses a hermeneutical approach. The context of the study is occupational healthcare. The material was collected through interviews with four occupational healthcare nurses in Finland. The texts were interpreted through hermeneutical reading. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:: The data storage, study participation, and data handling for research purposes were approved by the participants when they provided their informed consent. FINDINGS:: The study revealed that the core of ethical values in occupational healthcare is something universal that concerns justice, honesty, and faithfulness. To fulfill the ethical value base means to continuously strive toward the inner core of love and bravely choose to listen to the this core in the name of the client and the universal good even if it involves a struggle or a sacrifice. DISCUSSION:: The ethical value base is not primarily tied to profession but is something that is general and universal. Nor do ethics and the implementation of ethical values stand in opposition to, for example, external values such as demands for efficiency and economic gain. However, ethics may promote efficiency. CONCLUSION:: The fulfillment of nurses' ethical value base in occupational healthcare requires that ethics first and foremost is allowed to enter the leadership and is prioritized on a leadership level. Creating caring cultures that encourage openness and support ethical discussions is fundamental.

Competencies required for occupational health nurses.

OBJECTIVES: For occupational health (OH) nurses to perform activities effectively, not only skills and knowledge but also competencies proposed by Dr. McClelland are indispensable. This study aimed to identify competencies required for OH nurses and to show their structure diagram. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive research was conducted from October 2010 to August 2011. Eight high-performing OH nurses participated, and data were collected from semi-structured interviews held for each nurse. Data were qualitatively and inductively analyzed using the KJ method. RESULTS: Seven competencies were identified: "self-growth competency," "OH nursing essence perpetuation competency," "strategic planning and duty fulfillment competency," "coordination competency," "client growth support competency," "team empowerment competency," and "creative competency." A structure diagram of the seven competencies was clarified. As the definitions of the competencies were different, the findings of competencies for OH nursing in the United States of America (USA) could not simply be compared with the findings of our study; however, all seven competencies were compatible with those in AAOHN model 1 and AAOHN model 2 in the USA. CONCLUSION: Our seven competencies are essential for OH nurses to perform activities that meet the expectations of employees and the employer.

Comparison of competency priorities between UK occupational physicians and occupational health nurses.

OBJECTIVES: The competencies required of occupational physicians (OPs) and occupational health nurses (OHNs) separately have been studied in various countries but little research has made direct comparisons between these two key occupational health (OH) professional groups. The aim of this study was to compare current competency priorities between UK OPs and OHNs. METHODS: A modified Delphi study conducted among professional organisations and networks of UK OPs and OHNs. This formed part of a larger Delphi, including international OPs. It was undertaken in two rounds (round 1-'rating', round 2-'ranking'), using a questionnaire based on available OH competency guidance, the literature, expert panel reviews and conference discussions. RESULTS: In each round (rating/ranking), 57/49 and 48/54 responses were received for OPs and OHNs respectively. The principle domain (PD) competency ranks were very highly correlated (Spearman's r=0.972) with the same PDs featuring in the top four and bottom three positions. OPs and OHNs ranked identically for the top two PDs (good clinical care and general principles of assessment and management of occupational hazards to health). Research methods was ranked lowest by both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study has observed a high level of agreement among UK OPs and OHNs on current competency priorities. The 'clinically focused' competency priorities likely reflect that although OH practice will broaden in response to various factors, traditional 'core' OH activities will still be required. These mutually identified priorities can serve to strengthen collaboration between these groups, develop joint education/training programmes and identify common professional development opportunities.

[Occupational health nurse's role in health surveillance and workers' education: national and international state]. / Il ruolo dell'Infermiere del Lavoro nelle attività di sorveglianza e formazione dei lavoratori: panorama nazionale e internazionale.

OBJECTIVES: Occupational Health Nurses have gradually changed their role. To provide a national and international overview concerning the Occupational Health Nurse's role and to evaluate which are the regulatory/professional elements currently in force in Italy that may permit to better structure and develop Occupational Health Nurse's technical/scientific knowledges. METHODS: Literature and regulatory texts review in Italy and abroad; on sight research in some public and private Occupational Health services. RESULTS: Occupational Health Nurses' role abroad is well established and it's primarily aimed to preventive health interventions and health promotions. In Italy, on the contrary, the role of nurses in Occupational Health is almost always accessory in the implementation of health surveillance and workers' health education. This fact seems to be the result of the absence of a specific training course for those professionals, that could better define their legal profile. CONCLUSIONS: We verified the need that the training curricula of the Nursing Degree and of the Post-graduate Degree in Nursing and Midwifery Sciences give more space for teaching specific Occupational Health skills. It seems useful to propose the activation of specific post-graduate training courses for nurses who wish to focus specifically their professional activity in our disciplinary field.

The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses' Respiratory Protection Education Program and Resources Webkit for Occupational Health Professionals.

Organizations are required to adhere to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) if they have workers that wear a respirator on the job. They must also have an employee "suitably trained" to administer their program. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and its National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory have worked to champion the occupational health nurse in this role by collaborating with the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses to develop free, online respiratory protection training and resources (RPP Webkit). This article describes the development, content, and success of this training. To date, 724 participants have completed the training, 32.6% of whom lead their organization's respiratory protection program, 15.3% who indicated they will lead a program in the near future, and 52% who did not lead a program, but indicated that the training was relevant to their work. The majority "strongly agreed" the training was applicable to their work and it enhanced their professional expertise.

Core competencies for UK occupational health nurses: a Delphi study.

BACKGROUND: Occupational health nurses (OHNs) play a pivotal role in the delivery of occupational health (OH) services. Specific competency guidance has been developed in a number of countries, including the UK. While it is acknowledged that UK OHN practice has evolved in recent years, there has been no formal research to capture these developments to ensure that training and curricula remain up-to-date and reflect current practice. AIMS: To identify current priorities among UK OHNs of the competencies required for OH practice. METHODS: A modified Delphi study undertaken among representative OHN networks in the UK. This formed part of a larger study including UK and international occupational physicians. The study was conducted in two rounds using a questionnaire based on available guidance on training competencies for OH practice, the published literature, expert panel reviews and conference discussions. RESULTS: Consensus among OHNs was high with 7 out of the 12 domains scoring 100% in rating. 'Good clinical care' was the principal domain ranked most important, followed by 'general principles of assessment & management of occupational hazards to health'. 'Research methods' and 'teaching & educational supervision' were considered least important. CONCLUSIONS: This study has established UK OHNs' current priorities on the competencies required for OH practice. The timing of this paper is opportune with the formal launch of the Faculty of Occupational Health Nursing planned in 2018 and should inform the development of competency requirements as part of the Faculty's goals for standard setting in OHN education and training.

Decálogo de buenas prácticas para la protección de datos en Medicina del Trabajo y vigilancia de la salud / Ten tips for best practice for data proteccion in Occupational Medicine and occupational health

La protección de datos está presente en todo el ámbito sanitario. Médicos y enfermeros reciben formación específica en este sentido, dada la importancia que alberga unas buenas prácticas en materia de protección de datos. No obstante, no está demás recordar con cierta periodicidad una serie de cuestiones que ayudan a preservar la intimad y el secreto profesional en el ejercicio del trabajo a desempeñar. En el ejercicio de la Medicina del Trabajo en el aspecto de la vigilancia de la salud igualmente se hace necesario salvaguardar la gran cantidad de datos sobre trabajadores y las empresas atendidas en dicha actividad preventiva. Para ello se pretende dar a conocer un decálogo de buenas prácticas sobre protección de datos en vigilancia de la salud. Existe abundante bibliografía referente a la protección de datos en el ámbito sanitario, pero no tanta relativa a la actividad de la vigilancia de la salud dentro de la Medicina del Trabajo y la Salud Laboral (AU)

Data protection is a key issue for all the sanitary system. Doctors and nurses are thoroughly educated in this area due to the importance of the good practice in data protection. However, it is advisable for the medical and sanitary staff to regularly remind the basic aspects that will help to protect the confidentiality and professional secrecy. In Occupational Health, it is also required to protect the amount of data that are managed about many workers and businesses. This is intended to provide several good practices in this way. There are numerous references in the bibliography regarding general data protection in the healthcare system, but not so many about specific areas such as Occupational Medicine and Occupational Health (AU)

AAOHN Competencies.

The AAOHN Competency document is one of the core documents that define occupational health nursing practice. This article provides a description of the process used to update the competencies, as well as a description of the new competencies.

Antineoplásicos y riesgos laborales para los enfermeros: una revisión integral / Antineoplásicos e os riscos ocupacionais para os enfermeiros: uma revisão integrativa Antineoplastic and occupational risks for nurses: an integrative review

Introducción: Son muchos los riesgos laborales a los que están expuestos los trabajadores de salud que manipulan quimioterápicos. Objetivos: Identificar y describir los daños a corto, medio y largo plazo, causados en el organismo de los enfermeros y otros profesionales de la salud, que están expuestos a los fármacos antineoplásicos en el lugar de trabajo. Metodología: Estudio de revisión integradora de la literatura, con la recogida de datos en la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud, en los meses de septiembre a octubre de 2013, en las bases de datos de biblioteca electrónica Scientific Electronic Library Online y en las bases de datos de la Literatura Latino Americana y Caribeña Ciencias de la Salud, la Base de Datos de Enfermería y el Análisis de la Literatura Médica y Recuperación del Sistema en Línea, con las palabras: 'Antineoplasicos and Risco Ocupacional and Enfermagem', 'Antineoplastic and Occupational Risk' y 'Antineoplastic and Nursing'. Resultados: Daño en el material genético, aumento de la frecuencia de micronúcleos en linfocitos, aumento de intercambio de cromátidas hermanas, un mayor nivel de la excreción urinaria antineoplásica, aumento de casos de cáncer, mayor incidencia de anomalías congénitas en la descendencia y aborto en el primer trimestre del embarazo son algunos de los resultados encontrados en este estudio. Conclusión: El daño más frecuente ocurre al ácido desoxirribonucleico, el predominio a medio y largo plazo, siendo el tiempo de exposición fundamental para aumentar el daño. A corto y largo plazo predominaron daños relacionado con el embarazo y el desarrollo fetal, con aumento de anomalías congénitas y aborto. Acompañamiento genético, así como equipos de protección individual son esenciales para minimizar los daños (AU)

Introdução: são inúmeros os riscos ocupacionais aos quais os trabalhadores de saúde que manipulam quimioterápicos são expostos. Objetivos: identificar e descrever os danos em curto, médio e longo prazo, causados ao organismo dos enfermeiros, e demais profissionais da saúde, que são expostos à antineoplásicos no ambiente de trabalho. Metodologia: estudo de revisão integrativa da literatura, com coleta de dados na Biblioteca Virtual da Saúde, nos meses de setembro a outubro de 2013, nas bases de dados da biblioteca eletrônica Scientific Electronic Library Online e nas bases de dados da Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, da Base de Dados de Enfermagem e da Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, tendo como descritores: "Antineoplasicos and Risco Ocupacional and Enfermagem", "Antineoplastic and Occupational Risk" e "Antineoplastic and Nursing". Resultados: danos ao material genético, aumento da frequência de micronúcleos em linfócitos, aumento da troca das cromátides irmãs, aumento do nível de antineoplásicos na excreção urinária, aumento dos casos de câncer, aumento da incidência de anomalias congênitas na prole e aborto no primeiro trimestre da gravidez são alguns dos resultados encontrados por este estudo. Conclusão: o dano mais frequente ocorreu ao ácido desoxirribonucleico, e predominou em médio e longo prazo, com o tempo de exposição sendo decisivo ao aumento dos prejuízos. Em curto e longo prazo predominaram danos ligados à gestação e ao desenvolvimento do feto, com aumento das anomalias congênitas e aborto. Acompanhamento genético, bem como Equipamentos de Proteção Individual são fundamentais para minimizar os danos

Introduction: There are countless occupational hazards to which health workers who handle chemotherapeutic substances are exposed. Objectives: To identify and describe the short-, medium- and long-term damages that are caused in the bodies of nurses and other health professionals who are exposed to antineoplastic drugs in the workplace. Methodology: To study an integrative literature review, with data collection in the Virtual Health Library in the months from September to October 2013, the database of the Scientific Electronic Library Online, and in the databases of the Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, the Database of Nursing and the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, with the keywords: 'Antineoplasicos and Risco Ocupacional and Enfermagem', 'Antineoplastic and Occupational Risk' and 'Antineoplastic and Nursing.' Results:, Damage to genetic material, increased frequency of micronuclei in lymphocytes, increased exchange of sister chromatids, increased levels of antineoplastic urinary excretion, increased cases of cancer, increased incidence of congenital anomalies in offspring and miscarriages in the first trimester of pregnancy are some of the results found in this study. Conclusion: The most frequent damage occurred in the deoxyribonucleic acid, and predominated in medium and long terms, with the exposure time being crucial to increasing damage. In short and long term predominated damage linked to pregnancy and the developing fetus, with increase in congenital abnormalities and abortion. Genetic monitoring as well as Personal Protective Equipment are essential to minimize damage (AU)

Occupational health nurses' achievement of competence and comfort in respiratory protection and preferred learning methods results of a nationwide survey.

Additional findings are presented from a 2012 nationwide survey of 2,072 occupational health nurses regarding how they achieved competence in respiratory protection, their preferred methods of learning, and how they motivated employees to use respiratory protection. On-the-job training, taking a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health spirometry course, or attending professional conferences were the primary ways occupational health nurses gained respiratory protection knowledge. Attending professional conferences was the preferred method of learning, varying by type of industry and years of occupational health nurse experience. Employee motivational strategies were not widely used; the most common strategy was to tailor respiratory protection training to workplace culture. Designing training methods that match learning preferences, within the context of the organization's safety and quality improvement culture, is a key recommendation supported by the literature and these findings. Including respiratory protection content and competencies in all levels of academic nursing education is an additional recommendation. Additional research is needed to link training strategies with consistent and correct use of respiratory protection by employees.

Respiratory protection competencies for the occupational health nurse.

Approximately 5 million workers employed at 1.3 million work settings are required to wear some form of respiratory protection as part of their jobs. Occupational health nurses can protect the respiratory health of America's workforce. In 2012, the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Grants Committee Working Group conducted a nationwide survey of occupational health nurses to assess their knowledge, comfort, skills, and abilities relative to respiratory protection. The Working Group used the survey findings as a foundation for the development of respiratory protection competencies for occupational health nurses and a guide for the development of educational modules.