AAOHN Journal : Official Journal of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses

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High altitude is not just an issue for mountain climbers. Elevation can have implications for employees ranging from laborers to office workers to scientists. Awareness is key to effective management.

During the past decade, interest in the public and environmental health effects of trace levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the water supply has evolved. Although most pharmaceuticals are tested for human safety and efficacy prior to marketing and distribution, the potential for adverse effects in nontarget populations exposed to minute environmental medication doses has not been established. Several recent studies have demonstrated adverse effects from longstanding, low-dose exposures in both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, although human toxicity related to trace levels of pharmaceuticals in the water supply remains unknown...

Much has been written about how to facilitate an effective meeting, but apparently not every meeting facilitator has read the literature because every occupational health nurse has endured a "bad" meeting. Individuals who chair meetings have a responsibility to create meetings that are worthwhile to the attendees; attendees have a responsibility to be prepared for meetings so meetings are productive. This article reviews key meeting strategies, providing readers with ways to improve meetings they attend or facilitate...

Worker health is influenced by workplace, work processes, and workmates. This case study shows it is possible to create health connections for vulnerable working populations through health and wellness coaching. The health and safety of team members has been improved by providing on-site health coaching linked to mental and emotional well-being, as well as financial security. By leveraging the collective efficacy of the workplace, more vulnerable populations can become better health care consumers, with increased self-efficacy in promoting their own health and wellness and that of their families...

Population health-based chronic care models of care are useful in improving the health of a population while decreasing the health care dollars spent on the population. Diabetes is a disease that can be evaluated and treated using these models of care. The Metro Nashville Public Schools Diabetes Health Management Program has been shown to be beneficial to both clients and their insurance trust in improving the health of this population of individuals and decreasing the dollars spent on this disease.

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Daily administration of soy isoflavones for 2 years did not prevent bone loss or menopausal symptoms.

Employee health, prevention, and maintenance programs are growing exponentially each year as costs continue to rise across the health care continuum. Employers and payers alike continue to be challenged by chronic health risks, effective prevention strategies, optimal health and wellness strategies, and programs that are effective for America's work force. In light of these challenges, new and exciting health management approaches are evolving. Changes in occupational health nursing practice can ultimately affect the way occupational health nurses plan, structure, and conduct education sessions...

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is the most recent manmade disaster to challenge occupational health nurses caring for a unique worker population. The effects of oil spills on wildlife, marine life, and the ecosystem are well studied and documented, but the effects on workers who contain and abate such disasters are not. These workers can suffer from a multitude of illnesses and injuries, such as ataxia, migraines, and various lung diseases, which can be a challenge for occupational health nurses.

Medical surveillance is mandated for workers with potential exposure to hazardous materials. However, little guidance is provided regarding the components of a medical surveillance testing program for these individuals. This article describes the medical surveillance program for a group of 72 employees who respond to hazardous material releases throughout the United States. Conditions related to chemical exposures were not identified in this group. However, several non-occupational health conditions were identified, including a relatively high prevalence of one or more signs of metabolic syndrome...

This review sought to assess compliance concerns, determine risk management strategies, and identify opportunities for future research to contribute to employers' understanding of the laws and regulations that apply to on-site care. A comprehensive review of databases, professional organizations' websites, and journals resulted in 22 publications reporting on the consequences of noncompliance among on-site health centers accepted for inclusion. None of those studies reported a study design or quantifiable outcome data...

Occupational health nurses are at the forefront of obesity assessment and intervention and must be aware of potential inaccuracies of obesity measurement. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of obesity among a sample of 84 male police officers 22 to 63 years old and determine the accuracy of body mass index (BMI) in estimating obesity compared to body fat percent (BF %). BMI identified 39.3% of the participants as obese, compared to 70.2% by BF %. BMI misclassified normal-weight officers as obese or overweight and obese officers as normal 48...

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CDC statistics reflect the dramatic increase in obesity in the United States in the past 20 years, with 33 states having a prevalence of 25% or greater. Eating disorders and obesity have major implications for occupational health nurses.

This article discusses select characteristics of the aging work force, health-related issues that can impact work productivity, and strategies and resources that can foster a more productive work environment. The older work force is vital to the future of the U.S. economy. Employers should recognize the value of older workers. Occupational health nurses can assist older workers in maintaining and optimizing their health.

Small-scale enterprises are less often covered by occupational health services and have insufficient awareness about health and risks in the work environment. This study investigated how Swedish entrepreneurs in small-scale enterprises use occupational health services. The study used a questionnaire sent in two waves, 5 years apart. At baseline, 496 entrepreneurs responded, and 251 participated 5 years later. The questionnaire included items about affiliation with and use of occupational health services, physical and psychosocial work environments, work environment management, sources of work environment information, and membership in professional networks...

The safety of pregnant health care workers and their infants is paramount. The scope and variety of hazards within the health care field is profound and diverse. The occupational health nurse can identify early risks and correct them, as well as provide ongoing surveillance, counseling, and prudent policy recommendations for the multitude of hazards to which pregnant health care workers are exposed. Policy must reflect the real risks taken by these workers every day they go to work, and how those risks will affect them, their immediate families, and future generations...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.