Occupational, Environmental, and Climate Medicine Program

Safe Patient Handling Legislation and Musculoskeletal Disorders Among California Healthcare Workers: Analysis of Workers’ Compensation Data, 2007-2016

Soo-Jeong Lee, RN, PhD, ANP
Joung Hee Lee
Robert Harrison, MD, MPH
2023
Background:

California requires general acute care hospitals to have a comprehensive plan to prevent patient handling injuries (PHIs) among employees. The safe patient handling (SPH) law took effect in 2012. This study assessed the impact of the SPH law on workers’ compensation claims for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among California hospital workers.

Methods:

We used California Workers’ Compensation Information System data from 2007-2016 and analyzed claims for MSDs that occurred in acute care hospitals compared with nursing and residential care facilities. MSD claims...

Increased Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Hotline Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Unexpected Phenomenon

Matthew Kiok
Sandeep Guntur, MD, MPH
Paul Blanc, MD, MSPH
Olga Lozato
Grace Domingo
Robert Kosnik
Chika E Ugbaja
Noreen Chan
Alan Ramos
Sandra Domeracki, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, COHN-S, FAAOHN
2022

Background: Mitigating bloodborne pathogen exposure (BBPE) risk among healthcare workers is a major focus of hospital-based occupational health programs. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed added demands on occupational health services for healthcare workers. Its impact on BBPE incidence is unreported. Methods: As part of quality improvement efforts, we examined BBPE case incidence at two affiliated health centers during a 24-month period, 12 months preceding and following the COVID-19 pandemic onset. We used Year 1 to Year 2 change in incidence at the larger health center...

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program (UCSF)

The OEM residency training program prepares physicians for Board Certification in the OEM specialty. The OEM Residency prepares physicians for OEM practice and leadership roles in clinical, academic, government, non-governmental organizations, consulting, or corporate settings.