Occupational Health Nursing Guidelines for Primary Clinical Conditions
Occupational health nurses, physicians and other health care professionals work with employers to establish healthy and productive work environments. They follow established guidelines that address both work-related and non-occupational primary health conditions. These guidelines are classified as prevention and screening, primary care, and emergency care for employees.
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Prevention and Screening
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An occupational health manager works closely with his employer to identify specific illnesses, conditions and injuries that interfere with productivity and raise health care costs within a particular organization. For example, a factory employing mostly older workers may have many employees with hypertension and heart disease, while a hospital may have a number of women concerned about breast and cervical cancer. The occupational health physician at the factory may seek out guidelines for blood pressure screening programs and education about coronary risk factors, while the occupational health nurse at the hospital may research guidelines for mammograms and Pap smears.
Primary Care
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Many employers have recognized the need to provide primary care in the workplace for minor injuries such as sunburn, or more acute illnesses such as strep throat, infectious diseases such as influenza, or chronic health conditions such as osteoporosis. Occupational health guidelines for these primary health conditions may include diagnostic criteria, standardized treatment plans and mandated followup measures. When there is an epidemic of seasonal flu, for example, the guidelines might direct the nurse to ask specific questions about symptoms, do a rapid screening test, and review specific home-care measures with the employee.
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Emergency Care
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Emergencies can and do happen at all hours of the day and night when a business runs 24/7. Occupational health guidelines include specific orders for triaging, stabilizing and transporting an employee who sustains a serious or life-threatening injury. If a factory worker falls from a high platform and has a head injury, or a nursing assistant suddenly develops crushing chest pain and shortness of breath, an occupational health provider will follow established protocols to ensure the worker's safety and obtain the right level of care immediately.
Work-Related Issues
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Occupational health guidelines for specific settings reflect the risks associated with that setting and with specific jobs. Construction workers are at risk for heat-related injuries or limb amputation, for example, while laboratory personnel may sustain chemical burns or eye injuries. An occupational health physician for the construction firm is likely to promote heavy equipment safety and design programs for heat management, while the occupational health nurse at the laboratory will ensure there are convenient eyewash stations and burn kits.
Non-Occupational Issues
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Employees come to work every day with their own set of acute and chronic diseases, and risk factors such as smoking or substance abuse, and psychosocial issues such as stress and mental illness. Occupational health guidelines cover a wide range of primary health conditions, yet are specific enough to direct the practitioner.
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