Community Module 6 (Occupational Health) – Flashcards

The specialty practice that focuses on the promotion, prevention, and restoration of health within the context of a safe and healthy environment.

...includes the adverse health effects from occupational and environmental hazards. ...provides for and delivers occupational and environmental health and safety programs and services to clients ...is an autonomous specialty, and the nurses make independent nursing judgements in providing health care services.

1888:Betty Moulder hired by a group of coal mining companies. 1895:Ada Mayo Stewart = "first industrial nurse" 1897:Anna B. Duncan visits sick employees at their homes. 1899: Nursing service established for employees at work. 1912:Workers Comp.

1913: Registry of industrial Nurses initiated 1915: Basis for industrial Nurses Organization formed 1916: Factory Nurses Conference organized 1917: First education course for industrial nurses

WW1:Gov. demands health services for workers at factories and shipyards holding defense contracts. 1938-1943: Number of occupational health nurses increased by 10,000. 1942: American Association of Industrial Nurses formed

1951: AAIN voted to remain an independent autonomous association, not merge with NLN 1953: Industrial Nurses Journal formed (now AAOHN Journal) 1977:AAIN becomes American Association of Occupational

2003: Annual joint conference, American Occupational Health Conference was abolished. 2005:AAOHN held its first separate occupational health nursing conference. 21st century: AAOHN continues to expand specialty boarders.

-Changing workforce demographics. -Rising health care costs -Diversity of healthcare systems with the integration of managed care. -Influence of the world economy -Shift in production from goods to services -Proliferation of advanced technologies

-Often the only on-site healthcare professional -Collaborates with workers, employers, and other professionals -Roles are diverse & complex -Coordinates comprehensive, holistic services -Practice guided by AAOHN's Standards of Occupational & Environmental Health Nursing Practice and Code of Ethics -Empowered, well-trained, usually by the baccalaureate level.

-Practice guided by an ethical framework -Encourages and enables individuals to make informed decisions about healthcare concerns. -Worker advocate. -Practice within a framework of company policies. -Fosters equitable and high-quality health care & safe healthy work environments.

Prevention of exposure to potential hazards- -Biological-infectious hazards -Chemical hazards -Environmental hazards -Physical Hazards -Psychosocial hazards

Facilitates lifestyle changes -Enhance awareness -Increase motivation -Build skills -create environment for positive health practices

-Disease Prevention -Recognize potential and existing health hazards -Overall health promotion -Nonoccupational programs- Cardiovascular health, cancer awareness, personal safety, immunizations etc. -Emergency response- CPR, first aid etc. -Womens health and safety issues -Racial and ethnical minorities -Veteran

-Aimed at early diagnosis, early treatment, attempts to limit disability -Focus is on the identification of health needs. -Periodic assessments to document any health changes

-Rehab and restoration of the worker to an optimal level of functioning -Case management for employees to return safely to work.

*Competent* -Confident, has mastery of skills, ability to cope with specific situations *Proficient* -Increased ability to perceive situations as a whole based on past experiences, predict the events to expect, able to alter protocols when needed. *Expert* -Extensive experience broad knowledge base, able to grasp situation quickly and initiate appropriate action.

*Skills and competencies* -Clinical and primary care -Case Management -Workforce, workplace, and environmental issues -Legal and Ethical responsibilities -Management and administration -Health promotion -Occupational and environmental health and safety education -Research -Professionalism -Nursing code of ethics

-Occupational Safety Act: 1970 -Workers Comp -Americans With Disabilities Act: 1990