Physical hazard safety awareness among healthcare workers in Tanta university hospitals, Egypt

Understanding the awareness of health and safety signs amongst health care workers in Pakistan - A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Safety signs are very important communication tools for accident prevention, fire safety, health hazard information, and emergency evacuation. However, they are helpful only when properly designed and understood by employees.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the present study was to assess the awareness of health and safety signs amongst health care workers including doctors, dentists and paramedics in different health care sectors across Pakistan.

METHODS

Data was collected via Google forms circulated through WhatsApp social media to predetermined groups of health care professionals to assess their understanding of safety signs across different health sectors. The survey included questions pertaining to awareness of 19 different health and safety signs complied with International Organization for Standardization 1710 and the Safety Signs and Signal Regulations 1996 chosen randomly.

RESULTS

A total of 987 people participated in our study and were asked to comprehend the meaning of nineteen health and safety signs. The mean comprehension score for 19 signs was 42.2%. The mean score for warning signs was the lowest and fire safety signs was highest. The lowest comprehension scores were for oxygen cylinder sign (W029) 7.5% and highest for first aid sign (E003) 75.9%. Only two signs, that are first aid (E003) and mandatory gloves (M009) had acceptable comprehensive score of 75.9% and 73.7% respectively as per ISO 7010 i.e. >67%. Statistically significant differences were found only for trip hazard sign (W007) with respect to education and for risks of bomb explosion (W002), ionising radiation (W009), evacuation assembly point (E007), location of automated external heart defibrillator (E010) and mandatory gloves (M009) with work experience.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, we conclude that there is dire need of special and frequent training to better recognize the safety signs amongst health care employees since these kinds of interventions promote early detection of hazards and their associated risks. Thus, we propose that health care safety sign training must be included in every health care profession curriculum.

The effects of an educational intervention based on the protection motivation theory on the protective behaviors of emergency ward nurses against occupational hazards: a quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Emergency ward nurses face a variety of occupational hazards due to the nature of their occupational and professional duties, which can negatively affect their health. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of an educational intervention based on the protection motivation theory on the protective behaviors of emergency ward nurses against occupational hazards in Tehran, Iran, in 2023.

METHODS

The present quasi-experimental study was conducted with two intervention and control groups, using a pretest-posttest design. A total of 124 nurses working in the emergency wards of four hospitals (two hospitals for the intervention group and two hospitals for the control group by random assignment) were selected by multistage sampling method. The educational intervention based on the protection motivation theory was implemented for the intervention group for three weeks. The nurses of both groups completed a demographic questionnaire and the scale of emergency ward nurses' protective behaviors against occupational hazards before, immediately, and one month after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential methods.

RESULTS

The two groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics at the baseline (p > 0.05). Protective behaviors of emergency nurses against occupational hazards and their sub-scales (physical, chemical, biological, ergonomics, and psychosocial hazards) were higher in the intervention group than in the control group immediately and one month after the educational intervention. In addition, the measurement over time also showed the positive effect of time and educational intervention on the protective behaviors of emergency nurses against occupational hazards and their sub-scales in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

These findings showed that the educational intervention based on the protection motivation theory can be effective and helpful in improving the protective behaviors of emergency ward nurses against occupational hazards and their sub-scales. Future studies can focus on a more specific design of this kind of intervention based on the type of occupational hazards and needs of nurses in different wards.

Occupational Physical Hazards and Safety Practices at Dental Clinics

OBJECTIVE

 Worldwide, dentistry is known as a high-level occupational hazard profession. Dental staff is usually exposed to several types of hazards which include chemical agents, physical, psychological stress, and workplace violence, biological and ergonomics. The objectives of this paper were to assess levels of occupational hazards and evaluate safety practices at dental clinics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 At several dental clinics, levels of noise, lighting, and radiation were measured by recommended instruments and the safety practice was evaluated using a validated and reliable questionnaire (during 3 months of 2020).

RESULTS

 The mean levels of noise ranged between 46.3 and 67.2 dB, while the noise dose percent (noise exposure level) ranged between 60.7 and 77.6 dB. The mean levels of lighting ranged from 236.3 lux in the X-ray room to 1,080.3 lux in the dental laboratory. The mean levels of radiation ranged from 7.8 to 12.1 µrem. The mean levels of the three physical hazards were lower than their permissible levels at all locations.

CONCLUSION

 Levels of noise in dental clinic were affected by the change in the work activities, while this factor has no effect on the levels of lighting and radiation except for certain processes. The demographic variables such as gender, specialization, and the average number of patients showed a significant association with physical hazards, safety practices, while there was no significant association with radiation protection.

Electrical safety in a hospital setting: A narrative review

Electrical hazard is a significant threat in hospitals that require sustainable assessment and improvement. Workplace assessment and medical surveillance systems are often overlooked, and employees fail to comply with the necessary measures that have been instructed at the workplace. The incidents are attributed to a lack of knowledge regarding occupational safety and health and a lack of awareness regarding electrical hazards importance. The consequences of neglecting these assessments may result in health deterioration and low work quality and may also cause disability and impairment. This review describes occupational safety and health perspective about electrical hazards in hospital settings. Further preventive measures were recommended to outline practical and feasible steps resulting in a safer and healthier working environment.

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Electric hazard is a significant threat in hospitals that require sustainable assessment and improvement.

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This is attributed to a lack of knowledge regarding occupational safety and health and a lack of awareness regarding its importance.

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The consequences of neglecting these assessments may result in health deterioration, low work quality, and may also cause impairment.

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Hospitals should adopt workplace assessments to improve the overall health of all the workers, and quality in health service.

Evaluation of Sensitization Program on Occupational Health Hazards for Nursing and Allied Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Health Care Setting

Background: Occupational health hazard pertaining to health care providers is one of the neglected areas that need serious attention. Any compromise in their safety would result in reduction in workforce, which may affect patient care, keeping in mind the wide gap between the required number and actual health care workers (HCWs) available in the world over.

Aim: This study was undertaken to evaluate the change in knowledge through a sensitization training program on occupational health hazards and vaccination for HCWs.

Materials and Methods: Participants of the study included nursing and allied HCWs of a tertiary care health institute in Uttarakhand, India. Multiple training sessions, each of around 180 min, were held periodically in small groups with 20–40 participants over 2 years. Participants were assessed with pretest and posttest questionnaires, and feedback was taken. Questionnaires comprised three categories: general safety and ergonomics, biological hazards, and chemical and radiation hazards. Data of incident reporting for needlestick injury from 2017 to 2019 were retrieved. All data were compiled in Excel sheet and analyzed.

Results: A total of 352 participants were included in the study. Mean ± SD for pretest and posttest scores were 5.3 ± 2.13 and 11.22 ± 2.15, respectively. There was considerable improvement in knowledge, which was found to be statistically significant with p-value of 0.001 for all categories. Participants in their feedback suggested for inclusion of psychosocial aspect in further training programs.

Conclusion: Low baseline knowledge prior to attending the course highlights a need for an intervention through such structured sensitization program to create awareness and educate HCWs on common occupational health hazards and vaccination. Statistically significant improvement in posttest knowledge highlights effectiveness of the training program. A drastic rise in incident reporting for needlestick injury reflects fairly good impact of training program. Regular and appropriate form of training can reduce injuries resulting from occupational hazards and ensure healthy workforce contributing toward a positive impact on national economy.

An assessment of fire safety measures in healthcare facilities in Nigeria

Purpose

The occurrence of fire accidents in hospital buildings has become a serious challenge and more serious in developing nations. The purpose of this paper intends to assess fire safety measures in Nigerian hospital facilities. The significance of this study is to ensure that the design and construction of hospital facilities enhance the safety of users and properties.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected via a case study and questionnaire survey and administered to the facility users. The study survey is to assess the respondents' perception of fire safety measures in hospital facilities and suggest possible policy measures that will be employed to enhance safety.

Findings

This paper found that 91% of the respondents have awareness of fire safety measures in hospital facilities. Electrical faults and combustible materials were identified as the frequent causes of fire occurrences in hospital facilities. This can be averted where flammable materials and electrical appliances are correctly installed, and safety rules enforced. Findings show that safety rules are lax in public than standard private hospitals.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to fire safety measures in Nigerian healthcare facilities. Future research is needed to evaluate the level of compliance from design, construction and post-construction of precautionary fire safety measures in hospital facilities in Nigeria.

Practical implications

This paper recommended that designers and hospital administrators should improve on fire safety measures via the development of fire safety management plan and education. Thus, enforcement of fire safety measures in hospital facilities as specified in building codes should be implemented and monitored during and after the design of the hospital buildings. Findings provide valuable lessons on how to improve the fire safety measures in healthcare facilities across the states and other developing countries with similar healthcare situations.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that the stakeholders, especially government agencies concern with approval and enforcement of fire safety measures in healthcare facilities need to reawaken to her responsibility because of the lax implementation across the states.

Effect of low-dose fast neutrons on the protein components of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of whole-body irradiated Wistar rats

The immune system is exposed to extremely low doses of neutrons under different circumstances, such as through exposure to cosmic rays, nuclear accidents, and neutron therapy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are the primary immune cells that exhibit selective immune responses. Changes in the functions of the protein components of PBMC can be induced by structural modifications of these proteins themselves. Herein, we have investigated the effect of low-dose fast neutrons on PBMC proteins at 0, 2, 4, and 8 days post-whole body irradiation. 64 Wistar rats were used in this study of which, 32 were exposed to fast neutrons at a total dose of 10 mGy (²⁴¹Am-Be, 0.2 mGy/h), and the other 32 were used as controls. Blood samples were drawn, and PBMCs were isolated from whole blood. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to estimate the changes in the proteins of PBMCs. An alkaline comet assay was performed to assess DNA damage. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal components analysis (PCA) were utilized to discriminate between irradiated and non-irradiated samples. FTIR and fluorescence spectra of the tested samples revealed alterations in the amides and tryptophan, and therefore protein structure at time intervals of 2 and 4 days post-irradiation. No changes were recorded in samples tested at time intervals of 0 and 8 days post-irradiation. The FTIR band intensities of the PBMC proteins of the irradiated samples decreased slightly and were statistically significant. Curve fitting of the amide I band in the FTIR spectra showed changes in the secondary structure of the proteins. At 2 days post-irradiation, fluorescence spectra of the tested samples revealed decreases in the band tryptophan. The comet assay revealed low levels of DNA damage. In conclusion, low-dose fast neutrons can affect the proteins of PBMC.

OCCUPATIONAL DOSE AND RADIATION PROTECTION PRACTICE IN UAE: A RETROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL COHORT STUDY (2002-2016)

A two-phased retrospective cross-sectional study analysed the occupational dose and radiation protection practice among medical workers in two hospitals in the UAE. Phase 1 evaluated radiation protection practice using a questionnaire, whereas phase 2 assessed the occupational dose. Readings of 952 thermoluminescence dosimeters were analyzed. The result showed 52% of medical workers have a good level of radiation protection practice. Readings of 952 thermoluminescence dosimeters were analyzedAverage annual effective dose per worker ranged from 0.39 to 0.83 mSv. Cardiologists and nurses displayed a higher average of occupational radiation dose compared to other workers. There were no significant correlations between radiation protection practice and hospital, occupation or department. Finally, the occupational dose was within the international and national limits, but the reduction of radiation dose to cardiologist and nurses is essential. Moreover, training is essential to promote radiation safe practice among medical workers.

Menstrual disorders and occupational exposures among female nurses: A nationwide cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The regularity of menstrual cycles is one of the important indicators of female reproductive health. However, the current evidence on the association of occupational exposures and menstrual disorders is scarce.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to elucidate the relationship between occupational hazards and menstrual characteristics in female nurses and non-nurse health care workers in China.

DESIGN

We conducted a national cross-sectional study on the reproductive health of female nurses in China.

SETTINGS

A total of 1, 300 medical institutions in 15 provincial administrative regions in China participated in the study.

PARTICIPANTS

There were 8, 904 nurses and 3, 977 non-nurse health care workers who were selected using simple random sampling method.

METHODS

All participants were administered a face-to-face standardized questionnaire, including personal socio-demographic information, occupational activities, and self-reported menstrual characteristics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that 41% of nurses experienced menstrual disorders. We found handling disinfectants was the most significant risk factor for menstrual disorders (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.39-1.68), followed by abnormal workload (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.19-1.39), and occupation as a nurse (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.18-1.40). Noise, prolonged standing or frequent heavy lifting, night work, anti-cancer drug exposure, and overtime work were moderately associated with the occurrence of menstrual disorder (OR > 1).

CONCLUSIONS

This national-wide cross-sectional study has revealed the significant association between menstrual disorders and occupational hazards among female nurses in China.