Occupational Health Nursing OHNs—Protecting Worker Health

Myth vs. Reality Band-aid brigade Paper pushers Only do workers’ compensation Work in physical therapy Possibility to greatly influence health outcomes Autonomous Independent nursing judgments Great satisfaction

What it really is! Occupational and environment health nursing is the specialty practice that provides for and delivers health and safety programs to workers, worker populations and communities.

It focuses on... Promotion and restoration of health Prevention of illness and injury Protection from work related and environmental hazards

Occupational & Environmental Health Nurses (OHNs)... Have combined health and business knowledge. Blend business knowledge with health care expertise. Balance requirements for a safe and healthful work environment with those for a “healthy” bottom line.

OHN First Recognized in 1888 Betty Moulder  Cared for Pennsylvania coal miners and their families History of OH  Egyptians recognized work hazards  Agricola & Paracelsus  Ramazzini

20th Century Evolution of OHNs Industrial Revolution & War Factories employed OHNs to:  Combat spread of disease  Address health related problems due to labor shortages  Cut losses from new workers’ compensation legislation

OHNs Today—Leaders & Managers Disease management Members of the management team Emergency preparedness & disaster planning at work and in the community  Technological  Natural  Conflict (human) Environmental health

That’s not all, there’ s more... Case management  Injury and illness (work and non-work related)  FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act)  Short-term disability Health promotion & risk management  Work/life balance  Smoking cessation  Lifestyle changes (diet, nutrition, exercise…)  Stress management

and more... Legal & regulatory compliance  OSHA—respiratory, auditory, chemical  FMLA  ADA  EEOC  HIPAA Counseling & crisis intervention  Alcohol &/or substance abuse  EAP administration &/or referral  Psychosocial needs

and more.... Worker & workplace hazard detection  Identify, monitor, evaluate and analyze hazards (lead,dust, mold, noise) Monitor injury trends  When/where/how injuries occur (ergonomic issues, improper lifting, lack of proper PPE, improper use of PPE)

OHNs as Liaisons Associate CompanyPhysician Resources Insurance company OHN

Show Me the Money$ Cost Savings  Decreased absenteeism  Reduced presenteeism  Decreased injuries  Increased productivity Prevention  Education about illness, disease and wellness  Identification of problems

Where OHNs Work Industry and private company Insurance company Hospital settings Immediate care center/ER Case managers School, college, community CDC Own business (consultant)

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