Aaohn J
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Use of adult immunization strategies to increase the take of the influenza vaccine. A 2 year review.
1. An actively involved multidisciplinary committee was one of the strongest aspects of the program. This strategy helped to fully integrate the program and provided a wider distribution network for information related to the program. 2. ⋯ Providing extra coverage to off shifts, coverage for unique scheduling formats, and making the influenza vaccine available within departments and off campus buildings were key to getting employees to accept the immunization. 3. The ability to use the knowledge of a diverse committee membership aided in better analysis of the mechanics of the process. Changes were made between years as the committee continued to assess successes and failures among different employee groups and addressed administration venues and incentives for staff.
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1. Providing bereavement support for grieving employees can positively impact their adjustment and productivity. 2. Good bereavement care follows the nursing process approach: assessment, analysis, planning (goal setting), intervention/implementation, and evaluation. ⋯ The occupational health nurse, as clinician and advisor, can provide care to the bereaved individual and guidance to the manager and coworkers about the grief process and how to interact with the grieving employee. 4. Grief work is necessary for healing. The occupational health nurse can play a valuable role in facilitating the work by offering clinical support, a "safe" place for the grieving employee to talk about the death, referrals to the Employee Assistance Program or other professional support, and education about the process.
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Individuals with a history of atopy are at increased risk of becoming latex allergic. Specific food allergies also cross react with latex. ⋯ Education of health care workers, clients, and their families about latex products, latex allergy, and substitutions for latex products needs to be current and ongoing. Development of clear guidelines related to working with health care workers with latex allergies encourages management to consider the seriousness of latex allergy and ways to avoid it.
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An apparent two to three times higher injury frequency rate for temporary employees compared to permanent workers was identified in one manufacturing setting. Data were collected using demographic surveys (N = 20) and three focus group interviews (n = 13), with a convenience sample of temporary employees as well as four structured interviews with temporary agency owners and managers to explore factors which increase the vulnerability of temporary employees to workplace injuries. Several physical and psychological stressors were identified as well as a perception by the temporary employees that the reporting of work injuries could lead to loss of a temporary work assignment or the opportunity for permanent employment. ⋯ All of them actively used strategies to control their injury experience but faced the challenge of lacking day to day control of both the work environment and employee work behaviors. This preliminary study cannot be generalized to manufacturing worksites. Additional research is needed to document the injury experience of temporary employees, identify training needs, and design interventions.