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AAOHN J 2011 Dec;59(12):552

Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation, Houston, TX, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Dec;59(12):525-32; quiz 533

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Dec;59(12):509-11

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Dec;59(12):533

AAOHN J 2011 Dec 23;59(12):519-24. Epub 2011 Nov 23.

Weiss Health Group LLC, Neenah, WI, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Dec 23;59(12):513-8. Epub 2011 Nov 23.

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, TN, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Nov;59(11):504

Department of Nursing, Worcester State University, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602-2597, USA.

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

AAOHN J 2011 Nov;59(11):491-501; quiz 502

Miller & Huffman Outcome Architects, LLC, 221 Victor Lane, Ringgold, GA 30736, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Nov;59(11):477-82

OHN Program, University of South Florida Education and Research Center (ERC), Tampa, FL, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Nov;59(11):465-7

Occupational Health Services, CTEH, 5120 North Shore Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Nov;59(11):502

AAOHN J 2011 Nov 24;59(11):483-90. Epub 2011 Oct 24.

Research Services, Cerner LifeSciences, 9100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 655E, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Nov 24;59(11):469-75. Epub 2011 Oct 24.

College of Nursing, The University of Iowa, 50 Newton Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Oct;59(10):460

Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation, Houston, TX, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Oct;59(10):447-57; quiz 458

School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7502, USA.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Oct;59(10):437-45

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Oct;59(10):417-20

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. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Oct;59(10):414-6

AAOHN J 2011 Oct;59(10):412-3

AAOHN J 2011 Oct;59(10):458

AAOHN J 2011 Oct 23;59(10):429-36. Epub 2011 Sep 23.

University of Kentucky, College of Nursing, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.

This study examines the exercise habits and perceived barriers to exercise of a convenience sample of 300 commercial truck drivers. Participants reported minimal amounts of exercise, with nearly 20% not exercising in the past week. A high prevalence of obesity was found in this sample: 93. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Oct 23;59(10):421-8. Epub 2011 Sep 23.

Yesliyurt State Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.

The purpose of this study was to assess behaviors and health beliefs concerning early diagnosis of breast cancer among women working in a textile factory in Turkey. The data were collected with tools designed by the researchers. The study population consisted of 167 women working in a textile factory in Izmir, Turkey. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Sep;59(9):408

Worcester State University, Worcester, MA, USA.

AAOHN J 2011 Sep;59(9):401-6; quiz 407

University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA, USA.

In 2009, occupational health nursing faculty and professionals at the University of Washington developed an innovative continuing nursing education offering, the OHN Institute. The OHN Institute was designed to meet the following objectives: (1) extend basic occupational health nursing training to non-occupational health nurses in Federal Region X, (2) target new occupational health nurses or those who possessed little or no advanced education in occupational health nursing, and (3) offer a hybrid continuing nursing education program consisting of on-site and distance learning modalities. Evaluation findings suggested that the various continuing nursing education modalities and formats (e. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Sep;59(9):387-99

Occupational Health Nursing Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2005 and 2008 to evaluate self-reported competency achievement by occupational health nursing program graduates. Twelve competencies were evaluated at three levels: competent, proficient, and expert. In 2005, most graduates believed they were at the proficient level in 10 of the 12 competencies, with three competencies approaching the expert level. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Sep;59(9):377-86

Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Hospital nurses who are working mothers are challenged to maintain their personal health and model healthy behaviors for their children. This study aimed to develop and test an innovative 10-week worksite physical activity intervention integrated into the work flow of hospital-based nurses who were mothers. Three volunteer adult medical-surgical nursing units participated as intervention units. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Sep;59(9):373-6

AAOHN J 2011 Sep;59(9):407

AAOHN J 2011 Aug;59(8):364

Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation, Houston, TX, USA.

Evidence is increasing that vitamin D insufficiency is widespread in the general population and that vitamin D plays a key role in bone health and the prevention of chronic health conditions. Nutrition education and risk awareness can be effective in reducing musculoskeletal injuries. Read More

AAOHN J 2011 Aug;59(8):345-53

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.

This cross-sectional study explored the work-related and individual factors that contributed to the occurrence of low back pain and affected activities of 36 personal care workers at an old age home in Hong Kong. The study was divided into four parts: (1) a questionnaire documenting workload exposure factors; (2) a musculoskeletal symptoms survey documenting the prevalence of low back pain in this group of workers; (3) a worksite evaluation focusing on personal care workers' work postures and the work environment; and (4) an evaluation of physical fitness and lifting capacities of personal care workers. Univariate followed by multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors associated with low back pain that affected work activities. Read More