Topic Overview:

This comprehensive, informative presentation is designed for the occupational health professional new to the field. The eight-hour didactic course was developed from the manual Getting Started - Occupational Health in the Healthcare Setting. The manual was originally authored and is regularly updated by the AOHP organization to reflect current practice and healthcare issues. Course content includes valuable resources to incorporate in a variety of occupational health specialty work areas; interactive discussion is encouraged. The course is presented by a team of experts who are knowledgeable in the healthcare occupational health setting. All participants will receive the 16th Edition of the Getting Started resource manual in CD format.

Objectives:

1. Describe how the occupational health professional interacts in the healthcare facility's organizational structure.
2. Identify federal, state, and local regulatory requirements as related to job placement, physical hazards, and biological and chemical exposures.
3. Review current infection prevention and control practices related to infectious diseases specifically in the healthcare setting.
4. Formulate strategies to utilize health teaching in infection prevention and control, and safety.
5. Discuss areas of medical/legal confidentiality in occupational health. 6. Discuss injury and illness prevention programs, OSHA standards, and recordkeeping requirements.
7. Review FMLA regulations and their process for implementation in the healthcare setting.

Topic Overview:

The UVA University Medical Center bloodborne pathogen (BBP) pathway was well established for years until several recent factors triggered the need for reevaluation. Both an increase in exposure to hepatitis C positive sources as well as increased workplace violence incidents involving bites and scratches created confusion regarding appropriate follow up. In the fall of 2022, the existing process of exposure response and follow up was reviewed in collaboration with multiple teams and updated in multiple phases to capture each identified opportunity. A flowchart was created to clearly define an exposure. Bites and scratches were explicitly addressed in the flowchart to improve understanding. A visual representation defining an exposure provided clarity to managers and nursing supervisors. Baseline labs for all potential exposures were removed from the algorithm and instead were only collected for source positive, source unknown, or reverse exposures. The updated process was approved and spread in early 2023. These changes led to decreased need for team members to be seen in Employee Health, a benefit to busy injured clinicians, as well as freeing up schedule time. A secondary focus of this work was the impact on those potentially exposed to hepatitis C positive source patients, particularly in light of the increasingly prevalent practice of transplanting hepatitis positive donor organs. Further optimization is currently underway to ensure efficient evaluation and prescription for PEP after hours. All combined, by looking at recent local events and opportunities for clarification and improvement, the BBP exposure process was successfully optimized to ensure team members receive appropriate, evidence-based, timely care and follow up post exposure.

Objectives:

1. Assess the current process of BBP exposure reporting and follow up.
2. Identify two emerging clinical practices with specific impact to the BBP exposure process.
3. Identify barriers to adherence of BBP best practices.
4. Apply real-time learning to optimize exposure protocol.

Topic Overview:

This workshop is intended to provide participants with case studies/scenarios based on real-life Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issues that arise in the workplace. The case studies will be based on legal issues arising in all aspects of the employment relationship, including pre-hire, current employment, and addressing charges/litigation after the relationship ends. Workshop participants will learn: what the ADA-interactive process requires; reasonable accommodation issues; the intersection between FMLA, ADA, and workers' compensation; and how to prepare for and provide information for legal matters involving ADA/FMLA-related claims. At the end of this workshop, participants will leave with a good understanding of how to apply ADA/FMLA legal concepts to situations that could arise in their workplace.

Objectives:

1. Apply ADA/FMLA legal requirements to real-life scenarios.
2. Understand how to effectively manage/engage in the ADA-interactive process.
3. Understand the importance of the occupational health professional's role in the ADA process.

Topic Overview:

In 2017 UVA University Medical Center streamlined our web-based quality reporting tool for employee injury with the aim to better understand injury patterns and associated root causes. This and a preceding redesign of the online system provided actionable data and drove a significant decrease in overall total case incident rate (TCIR) injuries in the years following, specifically for sharps and exposures. Despite this work, a separate paper form needed to be submitted to Employee Health as the First Report of Injury (FROI) for workers' compensation purposes. For team members, the requirement to complete two processes was cumbersome and tedious. There continued to be a mismatch of injury reporting between the two systems, leading to difficulty in understanding and trending injury data patterns.

In late 2022 a focused look at our injury data showed a specific increase in environment of care (EOC) and musculoskeletal injuries within the workers' compensation data that was not a visible trend within the online injury reporting system. To address this gap, our employee health team collaborated with key teams to streamline the injury reporting process. The goal was to improve ease of access to reporting, create a singular process to complete necessary paperwork in the moment, and ultimately yield improved root causes. The new process, using exclusively online reporting, went live February 2023. One year after implementation, there was an over 30% increase in injuries reported in the online platform. By improving ease of reporting through a unified electronic process, our institution now has the means to access additional data and understand specific events to better support our clinicians and augment our processes for decreasing overall injury rates.

Objectives:

1. Identify three key data elements for successful problem solving.
2. Utilize real-time learning to prevent additional injuries in the workplace.
3. Discuss what comprises a simplified injury reporting process.
4. Understand measures of success in team member injury project implementation.

Topic Overview:

In this presentation, we will explore the impact of substance use disorder (SUD) and diversion for healthcare workers and the facilities they work for. Unlike the general population, diversion in hospitals or centers associated with healthcare is compounded by access. It is best practice for every organization to have a controlled substance accountability committee that is well recognized in the highest echelons of the organization and can affect changes to multiple policies, identify vulnerabilities, maintain a strong auditing and data chain, respond with quick reaction time when there is a breach, and provide ongoing monitoring to prevent diversion while mitigating exposure for the organization. Exposure to the organization could range from patient safety issues and loss of reputation all the way to significant fines and/or exclusions levied by regulatory agencies or the Office of Inspector General. Discussion will include the role of the occupational/employee health professional on the controlled substance accountability committee, as well as best practice of other ideal members to include (e.g., pharmacy, anesthesia, or surgical leadership, nursing, human resources, corporate compliance, audit and finance, legal/risk management, patient relations, public safety).

Objectives:

1. Recognize the impact of diversion to the healthcare setting.
2. Understand the points of vulnerability for diversion.
3. Identify internal stakeholders for prevention.
4. Discuss the role of the occupational health professional in prevention, mitigation, and reporting.

Topic Overview:

The goal for management of the injured worker should focus on recovery from the injury while achieving safe and timely return to work and appropriate medical case closure. Unfortunately, communication gaps often exist between the participants on the case/claims management side (adjustors, nurse case managers, medical director, and utilization review organizations) and the primary treating clinicians (PTCs) and medical/surgical specialists. The injured worker suffers the consequences of this ineffective collaboration, which can lead to delayed recovery, increased claims costs, and unnecessarily prolonged disability, which frustrates all involved. In this session, two physicians, Drs. Das and Wiesner, who have both served as occupational health medical directors overseeing the utilization review and return-to-work decision making process, will share their experience and insights into the critical role the PTC and specialists play in setting the stage for a successful outcome. Dr. Kofeldt, a clinical psychologist with a specialty in behavioral medicine, will share her expertise in identifying the obstacles that often lead to poor outcomes and the associated strategies that must be considered, especially from a psychosocial and claim management perspective, to prevent delayed recovery. This session will include audience engagement by analyzing two clinical cases. It will close by highlighting the importance of realistic and early goal setting, awareness of potential risk factors and when such factors are identified, and seeking appropriate specialty care. Consistently focusing on functional improvement, rather than solely on symptom resolution, and effective and timely collaboration and communication with the claims team will be reinforced.

Objectives:

1. Understand the role and responsibilities of the various participants (primary treating clinician (PTC), medical and surgical specialist, and claims team) in the return-to-work process.
2. Identify barriers for return-to-work and the associated risk factors for delayed recovery.
3. Discuss how to optimize timing and medical justification for specialty referrals to physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR), and to mental health/psychiatry/other specialties.
4. Explain how poor communication among participants leads to poor outcomes. 5. Utilize management approaches that minimize unnecessary work and activity disability.

Topic Overview:

In today's rapidly evolving landscape - where employee engagement is crucial amid the challenges posed by the pandemic and the Great Resignation - prioritizing employee health services has become imperative for organizations striving to attract and retain top talent. This workshop brings together insights from industry leaders and transformative case studies to explore how digital transformation can revolutionize employee health services. By the end of this three-part workshop, participants will gain actionable insights into leveraging digital tools to optimize employee health services, enhance operational efficiency, and foster a culture of health and safety in the workplace.

Transforming Employee Health Services: A Digital Journey with Baylor Scott & White Health System (BSWH)

Presenters: Kimbrea Smith, MSN, RN, Kathy Maltchev, OTR/L, MPH, and Julianna Giordanella

In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic and the increasing competition to attract and retain top talent, organizations are prioritizing employee health and safety services. However, managing these services effectively amidst technical, operational, and compliance challenges remains a significant obstacle for many. This session offers a deep dive into BSWH's transformative journey to digitize employee health services. By focusing on enhancing data management, optimizing service delivery, and prioritizing the user experience, BSWH achieved remarkable business outcomes, including improved user experiences for new hires and hiring managers, as well as optimized workflows for the employee health services team. Through real-world examples and insights, the presenters, in collaboration with Cority, will explore the transformative potential of leveraging digital tools to manage employee health processes. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how employee health clinics can optimize the planning, design, implementation, management, and evaluation of comprehensive employee health programs, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and increasing clinic throughput.

Objectives:

1. Review common challenges impacting frontline engagement and organizational productivity.
2. Explore how a centralized electronic health record system improves health and safety programs and can drive employee performance and organizational culture.
3. Identify best practices in engaging the frontline in health and safety programs.

Elevating Occupational Health Excellence through Digital Transformation

Presenters: Moira Heilmann, and Diana Cox

Experience the transformative journey of the University of California (UC) healthcare system. Facing fragmented inspection processes across five facilities, UC sought solutions to streamline risk management and ensure regulatory compliance. This presentation outlines UC's collaboration with employee health and safety directors and Risk and Safety Solutions to develop a unified platform equipped with mobile capabilities and standardized data collection, facilitating comprehensive data access and enhancing performance monitoring across facilities. Outcomes were impressive, with expedited risk resolution and streamlined compliance processes. UC Davis Health achieved notable safety goals in record time, showcasing the effectiveness of their efforts. Looking ahead, UC continues to leverage technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to maximize efficiency and mitigate risks. Their journey serves as a compelling case study, emphasizing the transformative power of digital solutions in driving positive change in healthcare.

Integration and Implementation of Technology and the Impact on Associate Health

Presenters: Nicole Souza, DNP, RN, Caryn Williams, and Hannah Hamilton, MSN, RN

In an era where technology plays an increasingly pivotal role in healthcare, the integration and implementation of digital solutions can have a profound impact on associate health. This session underscores the benefits of technology adoption and how it can be harnessed effectively within your profession. Attendees can expect to gain insights into how technology enhances accessibility, reporting compliance, accuracy, and legibility of reporting, thus reducing organizational risk. Through real-world examples and practical demonstrations, the presenters will illustrate how technology streamlines processes such as scheduling appointments, saving time, increasing efficiency, and ultimately boosting productivity.

Objectives:

1. Explore how technology increases accessibility to healthcare resources.
2. Discuss the role of technology in increasing reporting compliance, accuracy, and legibility.
3. Understand how technology can reduce organizational risk.
4. Examine how technology-driven requirements prior to scheduling appointments can enhance efficiency and productivity.
5. Evaluate the impact of decreased correspondence on scheduling and overall workflow efficiency.

Topic Overview:

Occupational health professionals provide insight into how organizations can strive to foster a culture of safety to keep their workforce healthy and on the job. An approach that is becoming more prevalent in a variety of different industries is the implementation of injury prevention and early intervention programs. The presenters will demonstrate how a holistic approach to occupational medicine that includes proactive strategies, early interventions, ergonomics, and the utilization of injury prevention specialists is an effective strategy to improve worker wellness. She will dive deep into the data to demonstrate how proactive approaches to risk reduction reduce recordable injuries and incurred claim costs, improving the overall return on investment.

Objectives:

1. Illustrate the unique benefit of injury prevention programs and how the implementation of early intervention and proactive strategies can reduce recordable injuries.
2. Demonstrate how the utilization of injury prevention metrics can be used to ensure your program's success and best serve your employee population.
3. Apply the principles of injury prevention within your unique workforce.

Topic Overview:

Employers looking to elevate their occupational health programs from the mundane to the maximum should consider early return-to-work programs, and not JUST for work-related injuries, but for ALL temporary injuries and illnesses. So, "how do we do that" you ask? Listen closely, and the presenter will both walk you through the baby steps to get there and show you how to improve your financial bottom line along the journey. The presentation includes examples of typical physical limitations for common work and non-work injuries (with actual guidelines) to help develop an appropriate offer of selective/light duty employment for recovering employees and a return-to-work plan of action.

Objectives:

1. Describe key differences between a return-to-work program and transitional work programs.
2. Differentiate between the two main financial benefits for implementing a transitional work program.
3. Explain seven indirect financial benefits of transition work program implementation.

Topic Overview:

In today's healthcare landscape, the occupational medicine healthcare needs of corporate clients often go underserved, presenting a lucrative opportunity for those looking to enter and service the market. However, while the potential rewards are significant, navigating this sector comes with its fair share of challenges and risks. In this workshop, attendees will explore the intricacies of operating an occupational medicine practice with a focus on understanding the needs of corporate clients and the philosophy behind occupational medicine. Led by industry experts, the session will delve into the various practice models, operating parameters, anticipated expenses, and revenue streams associated with this field. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of the landscape, attendees will be better equipped to navigate this sector and maximize their chances of success. Join us for this insightful workshop, and discover how an occupational medicine business can be personally, professionally, and financially rewarding.

Objectives:

1. Gain insight into the needs and expectations of corporate clients in the realm of occupational medicine.
2. Understand the fundamental philosophy that underpins occupational medicine practices.
3. Explore the operating parameters of different practice models within the occupational medicine landscape.
4. Assess the anticipated expenses and revenue streams associated with operating an occupational medicine practice.
5. Evaluate the potential risks and rewards inherent in the occupational medicine sector.

Topic Overview:

Communication to the C-suite is key to get support and funding for sustaining a quality improvement project in occupational health. Communicating upstream is a different skill than communicating downstream. This presentation is intended to briefly review topics related to research, evidence-based practice (EBP), and quality improvement (QI), in addition to effective communication strategies to reach administrators. The first half of the presentation will equip learners to identify core differences among the three and identify at least one model of practice and steps to use while implementing each of these strategies. Additional focus on QI methodologies, specifically the PDCA (plan-do-check-act) method, will incorporate the review of an example problem. The presenter will share key words and business terminologies to capture attention, simple strategies to draw attention to data conclusions, and how to share data points that support your arguments to elevate credibility and reputation.

Objectives:

1. Differentiate among research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvment projects.
2. Identify at least one quality improvement methodology.
3. Discuss at least two effective communication strategies.

Topic Overview:

While there are limited state and governing body regulations in place regarding safe patient handling, evidence suggests that providing both sufficient safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) equipment and implementing a strong SPHM program can significantly decrease the incidence of healthcare worker injuries and associated costs. Around 50% of injuries in the healthcare sector are musculoskeletal in nature, and up to one-fifth of nurses who leave healthcare do so because of these hazards. The biggest risk factor for these injuries is overexertion during manual patient handling such as lifting, moving, and repositioning patients. The most effective programs incorporate committees encompassing a variety of stakeholders and provide for peer leaders/unit champions, teamwork, collaboration, transparency, and consistent communication and education beginning upon hire. The purpose of this presentation is to examine the experiences of implementing and maintaining an occupational health professional-led SPHM committee from inception through the maintenance phase.

Objectives:

1. Recognize common manual patient handling injuries that highlight the need for SPHM interventions.
2. Identify at least two resources for implementing an SPHM program/committee.
3. Examine successful SPHM strategies implemented within one healthcare facility.
4. Analyze outcomes of one facility's SPHM program, including successes and even-better-ifs.

Topic Overview:

Occupational Health Professionals use an understanding of both the work being performed and the potential hazards involved to protect the health and safety of the employees performing the work. Medical surveillance programs provide information that can be used to prevent adverse health effects due to workplace hazards. This presentation will review the reasons behind medical surveillance in addition to the steps involved in developing a surveillance program.

Objectives:

1. Describe why surveillance programs may be necessary.
2. Distinguish when surveillance programs are necessary.
3. Identify eight steps in creating a surveillance program.

Topic Overview:

We have all been there—how to have a difficult conversation with a colleague, your boss, a patient, or their family member. Whether you are dealing with someone's toxic behaviors, having to let someone go, delivering bad news, or managing an under-performing colleague, this keynote address will present the missing link in making such a conversation just a bit easier, less stressful, and more successful. How? By first understanding why these conversations are so difficult and then engaging the 4-Phase Courageous Conversation Feedback Model. A critical component of this model is the extensive research conducted within the medical environment and beyond. Based on this research and its associated application, participants will be positioned to take a risk, have the conversation, and share this simple model with others. To implement effective behavioral change, practicing the model around the participants' real and present work scenarios is critical. In small groups, participants will practice along with the "guide-on-the-side" approach. In closing this session, participants will document their commitment to bring the newly learned skills back to their work environment, improving their level of comfort while achieving productive outcomes in managing these difficult conversations. Following this keynote address, we hope audience members will have the "aha" moment of "Why didn't I learn this years ago? It would have eroded so much of my own angst and helped me in many challenging situations."

Objectives:

1. Identify crucial evidence that prevents people from having difficult conversations.
2. Explain how the 4-Phase Courageous Conversation Feedback Model provides a template for positive actions.
3. Practice this 4-Phase Courageous Conversation Feedback Model in small groups.
4. Identify a next-step action plan for personal professional practice.

Topic Overview:

The purpose of this program is to shed light on actionable mental health issues among nurses and other healthcare clinicians. Evidence-based approaches for risk detection and referral to treatment will be described. Inequities in treatment of nurses with mental health issues will be addressed. Individual, healthcare system, and regulatory approaches to optimizing workplace wellness to prevent suicide will be discussed. The relationship between substance use disorder and suicide will be explored. The association between chronic pain, substance use, chronic illness, discipline, and suicide will be described.

Objectives:

1. Explore job-related factors known prior to death by suicide among health professionals.
2. Describe evidence-based approaches to risk detection and referral for treatment.
3. Describe leadership/regulatory actions that can be taken to reduce risk of nurse suicide.

Topic Overview:

Occupational health team members play a vital role in ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for staff. Musculoskeletal injuries are a major concern for healthcare workers, often stemming from unsafe patient handling and mobility practices. This presentation equips you with the knowledge and skills to conduct thorough safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) risk assessments, a proactive approach to preventing these injuries, through these important steps:

• Identify Risk Factors: Delve into the various factors that increase the risk of injury during transfers and movement, including patient limitations due to reduced mobility, cognitive impairment, pain, and environmental hazards.
• Conduct Effective Risk Assessments: Master the key components of an SPHM risk assessment. This includes evaluating a patient's physical capabilities, medical history, and current functional status. Discuss strategies for assessing the environment for potential obstacles or limitations that could hinder safe mobility.
• Mitigate Risk with Evidence-Based Practices: Discover how risk assessments can guide the selection of appropriate assistive devices and safe transfer techniques. This minimizes injury risk for both patients and caregivers, ensuring a positive and safe healthcare experience.
• Promote Safe Practices: Learn strategies to advocate for the implementation of SPHM risk assessments within your facility. This could involve educating colleagues, promoting existing protocols, or highlighting the cost benefits of preventing injuries to both staff and the organization.
• Collaboration is Key: Explore how occupational health teams can collaborate effectively with nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other caregivers to ensure a comprehensive approach to patient safety.

This presentation empowers occupational health teams to create a safer environment for healthcare workers and ultimately improve patient care.

Objectives:

1. Conduct a basic safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) risk assessment by outlining the key components of such an assessment.
2. Advocate for the importance of SPHM risk assessments within the workplace.
3. Collaborate with colleagues from different disciplines (e.g., nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy) to ensure a comprehensive approach to SPHM.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented safe handling strategies for a specific patient to encourage ongoing monitoring and adjustments for optimal safety.

Topic Overview:

In 2023 AOHP launched a Staff Benchmarking Survey comprised of 19 questions. The purpose was to obtain staffing information and other demographic information from occupational/employee health departments. This general session will present the results of this nationwide benchmarking survey. Attendees will review the background of the survey development, identify staffing trends, and review staffing patterns based upon hospital bed size and the number of healthcare personnel receiving services.

Objectives:

1. Contrast staffing patterns for occupational/employee health departments by number of healthcare personnel who receive services.
2. Identify trends of staffing changes from previous surveys.
3. Discuss three other characteristics of the occupational/employee health department identified in the survey.

Topic Overview:

Vaccinating healthcare personnel has been a public health priority for more than two centuries. High rates of clinically appropriate immunization can protect individual healthcare workers from illness, disability, and death while reducing risks for their patients, families, and communities. In healthcare as in other settings, vaccination is the most effective intervention to mitigate the impact of vaccine-preventable pathogens. Conversely, ineffective immunization threatens the healthcare workforce and can thereby magnify the impact of endemic and epidemic disease on communities. Vaccination rates are strongly influenced by employer and government resources and requirements. Vaccine mandates are the strongest driver of vaccination rates. Within mandated situations, consistent evidence-based exemption reviews are necessary to maintain high rates. Clarity and consensus from public health authorities support higher vaccination rates. Anti-vaccine messages from public figures and grassroots organizations affect healthcare personnel as well as the general public. Although most healthcare personnel seek clinically appropriate vaccines, hesitancy and resistance to evidence-based recommendations persist over time and vary in severity. Variation in vaccination rates for healthcare personnel, and hence in vaccine effectiveness in the healthcare setting, appear driven by differences in employer requirements, public health recommendations, and community factors. Healthcare personnel who themselves resist vaccination may fail to encourage vaccination for vulnerable patients. This presentation will review healthcare worker vaccine recommendation and rates using literature review and institutional narrative, primarily focused on findings from the United States with implications for global partners. Audience members will gain a deeper understanding of how to optimize immunization to protect their employee populations in the context of prior history, current trends, and their individual institutional needs.

Objectives:

1. Understand key strategies to optimize employee vaccination in healthcare settings.
2. Learn how to apply these strategies to individual workplaces.
3. Create opportunities to address evolving threats to prior strategies.

Topic Overview:

Sarcopenia is defined as the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength associated with the aging process. With an aging workforce, it becomes paramount for occupational health clinicians to be able to evaluate, advise, and advocate for the employees under their care. In the last 10 years, many studies have shown the positive impact resistance training (RT) has in the prevention of sarcopenia and frailty. These studies show the effectiveness of RT even for 80- and 90-year-old individuals. Resistance training has also shown to be effective in enhancing cellular health through a measure called Phase Angle. Phase Angle is a cellular nutritional and health assessment which usually declines with age - also leading to sarcopenia. Enhancing Phase Angle through RT increases the probability of slowing sarcopenia. While RT is the cornerstone to addressing sarcopenia, the presentation will include mention of available pharmacologic (prescriptive and over the counter) modalities. Scientific studies in chronobiology also may prove useful in mitigating this process.

Objectives:

1. Define sarcopenia and its impact on muscle health and overall well-being.
2. Discuss the diagnostic criteria and screening tools used to identify sarcopenia.
3. Explore treatment options and interventions to manage sarcopenia effectively.
4. Understand the role of muscle in protecting against sarcopenia and frailty with aging.
5. Identify preventive measures, including muscular strength training and lifestyle factors, to mitigate the risk of sarcopenia.

Topic Overview:

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), covering their history, organization, and key safety and health metrics. Attendees will gain insights into OSHA's operations, including its legal authority, jurisdiction, inspection processes, and penalties for non-compliance. The presentation also highlights recent changes to labor laws and their implications for both employers and employees.

Objectives:

1. Understand the historical context and organizational structure of the Department of Labor and OSHA.
2. Gain insight into OSHA's operations, focusing on inspection procedures and the penalties imposed for violations.
3. Explore recent updates to labor laws and their impact on employers and employees, including changes in compliance requirements and potential consequences for non-compliance.

Topic Overview:

As mental health claims rise and threaten to surpass musculoskeletal claims in 2024, it is imperative for employers to address the culture of inclusion and civility within their organizations. In this session, attendees will delve into the crucial topic of psychological safety and its relationship to workplace violence. By understanding the warning signs of potential violence and staying informed about legislative requirements, employers can take proactive measures to prevent workplace violence events. Senate Bill 533, scheduled for enforcement on July 1, 2024, underscores the urgency for employers to be aware of their obligations in maintaining a safe work environment.

Objectives:

1. Review the trends of mental health claims in the United States and their implications for workplace safety.
2. Examine how the adoption of psychological safety practices can impact workplace violence and foster a culture of safety.
3. Explore the new legislative requirements set to take effect in July 2024 and their implications for employers.

Topic Overview:

This session will cover the basic concepts of radiation safety in the workplace. Attendees will learn what radiation is and be able to recognize sources and types of radiation they might interact with in their workplace. The talk will highlight understanding the different radiation hazard signage displayed in areas with the potential for radiation exposure. Finally, the session will ensure that all attendees are familiar with the radiation protection concept of ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable), the impact of time, distance, and shielding, and how to keep track of their radiation exposure at work.

Objectives:

1. Define radiation and radioactivity.
2. Identify sources and types of radiation.
3. Explain the radiation protection concept ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable).

Topic Overview:

Over the years that the International Safety Center and EPINet have been collecting data on sharps injuries, needlesticks, and mucocutaneous exposures, we've seen changing trends in professional groups, explicitly injuries and exposures between nurses and physicians. This presentation will provide insights into not-ever-seen-before EPINet data that consist of dozens of healthcare facilities in the United States. We will describe the difference between incidence of incidents, as well as targeted interventions for prevention in these two large professional groups. This session is intended to be interactive, with audience participation on creating strategy and a call to action. Over the past several decades, rates and ratios of these types of occupational exposures have not notably declined. Let's explore why - together - and fix it!

Objectives:

1. Review summary of 2023 EPINet Sharps, Needlestick, and Mucocutaneous Incident Data.
2. Compare incident data for two professional groups - nurses and physicians.
3. Consider potential targeted prevention campaigns for each group based on procedure and device type.

Topic Overview:

In today's fast-paced healthcare environment, efficient onboarding is essential to ensure personnel are compliant, well-prepared, and safe to work from day one. Employee and occupational health experts play a pivotal role in optimizing this process. Research underscores the significant impact of a robust onboarding experience:
• Employees who felt their onboarding was highly effective are 18 times more likely to feel highly committed to their organization.
• 86% of new employees decide to stay with their new organization within the first few months.
• User-friendly systems, improved communication, and automated processes increase efficiency while reducing costs.
Industry leaders will share valuable insights and best practices, equipping participants to revolutionize onboarding processes and set personnel up for success.

Objectives:

1. Understand actionable strategies to revolutionize the onboarding process, emphasizing personnel satisfaction and operational efficiency as key outcomes.
2. Explore best practices from occupational and employee health experts to improve personnel safety and compliance.
3. Learn why onboarding is crucial to supporting organizational compliance, readiness, safety, and employee satisfaction goals.

Topic Overview:

On a planet where tuberculosis (TB) infects one-third of all people, the United States has one of the lowest incidences. We have amazing public healthcare, policies, practices, tests, and treatments. TB is a complicated infection; if it was simple, we would have eradicated it thousands of years ago. All of the components of a great TB screening, testing, and treatment program are similarly complicated. Dr. Thanassi will boil it all down into one jam-packed session that gives attendees the tools needed to start to understand, or to fill in knowledge gaps, and to provide resources for reference later in order for them to have a TB testing program that sits on a solid foundation. The presentation will start with some epidemiology of TB infection in the United States. Where is it, and who has it? Following is an explanation of what is required and recommended by policy in terms of pre-employment and post-exposure investigations. The presenter will then cover the available tests and the reasons one would choose one methodology over another. Finally, treatment regimens will be introduced. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of testing to treat TB, which is the only path to elimination.

Objectives:

1. Understand the reasons IGRAs are preferred over TST to test for tuberculosis (TB).
2. Know where to find needed resources for TB testing, policy, and treatment.
3. Identify the preferred treatments for latent TB.

Topic Overview:

Learn the fundamentals and application of mental fitness to master mindfulness for optimal health, mental clarity, and productivity. Leave with techniques that can be applied in daily work and life to manage stress and other negative emotions in the moment that can sabotage efforts to be productive, healthy, and successful. Be inspired and encouraged to take positive action.

Objectives:

1. Define mental fitness and its impact.
2. Learn how thought patterns impact behavior and sabotage efforts to be mindful.
3. Understand how to apply mental fitness techniques to work/life for enhanced productivity, mental clarity, communication, and health and wellbeing.

Topic Overview:

Safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) programs are being implemented with growing vigor. However, getting them started and sticking poses great challenges for many. This session will discuss Southern Illinois Healthcare's case review to explore the challenges, strategies, and real-life applications that healthcare organizations have experienced that have resulted in significant reductions in workers' compensation incidents and costs related to moving patients, as well as reducing patient falls, hospital-acquired pressure injuries, and other complications associated with immobility.

Objectives:

1. Identify the common constraints that block SPHM program success.
2. Describe application-based solutions that can be utilized to overcome constraints to success.
3. Identify leading and lagging metrics that can be used to identify SPHM program status.

Topic Overview:

During this presentation the audience will see healthcare trends for both occupational and non-occupational claims as we view the needs of the whole individual and explore commonalities. The impact mental health is having on non-occupational claims is now being reviewed as potential to increase occupational health risks and work-related injuries. As baby boomers leave the workforce, we recognize that the new generation of workers has different needs and expectations from their employers. The difference is explored from data collected in a global survey conducted in 2022 and a mental health survey from 2023. The information is offered as a way to promote vitality and wellness of the workforce to meet their occupational and non-occupational healthcare needs.

Objectives:

1. Review trends from both occupational and non-occupational claims.
2. Examine how physical and mental health claims impact worker performance.
3. Discover what workers want and need from employers.

Topic Overview:

This program will describe Stress First Aid and how this great program, started by the military, has been moved into the healthcare field. The key goal for the learner is understanding its importance in preventing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the future. The training will also cover the physical, psychological, and morale positive effects of having Stress First Aid at your facility. Review the important elements of Stress First Aid, how it positively impacts work relationships, and how it can save lives. At the end of the presentation, participants will be shown a sample toolkit and where to go to complete train-the-trainer courses to share this great program with team members. The presenter will also review the results of a four-month pilot with 56 boots-on-the-ground team members. A special thanks to the team at MedStar Health, who provided the presenter the train-the-trainer course in 2023.

Objectives:

1. Identify the psychological and physical attributes of implementing Stress First Aid at a facility.
2. Articulate the reasons Stress First Aid is important for retention and morale.
3. Understand the necessary training materials and toolkit items for training others.

Topic Overview:

This session will include an overview of opportunities for certification in occupational health, highlighting the benefits of nursing specialty certification and the requirements for certification examination preparation. With a focus on increasing awareness and knowledge of the certification process and its benefits, participants will learn how certification can positively impact the professional pathway for occupational health nurses. The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) 2023 Practice Analysis Survey will be reviewed and discussed, along with industry changes in the last five years, their impact to occupational health, and the resulting new exam content outlines.

Objectives:

1. Identify three benefits of certification in occupational health.
2. Describe the requirements to becoming a certified occupational health nurse and maintaining certification.
3. Explain how certification can contribute to an occupational health nurse's professional pathway.
4. Recognize recent ABOHN Practice Analysis Survey and industry changes within the past five years.

Topic Overview:

This presentation reviews the implementation of a quality improvement project focused on reducing work-related injuries associated with lifting and moving patients in an acute healthcare facility. Common causes and risk factors associated with these work injuries will be discussed, along with practical strategies and techniques for safe patient handling and the use of assistive devices and equipment. Resources, guidelines, and regulations related to safe patient handling will be highlighted, along with tips to successfuly advocate for and implement a safe patient handling program in the workplace. Participants will understand how to contribute to a culture of safety in their workplace by promoting awareness, education, and ongoing training on safe patient handling practices.

Objectives:

1. Increase awareness and understanding of the risks and consequences associated with lifting and moving patients in the healthcare industry.
2. Review practical strategies and techniques to reduce work injuries related to patient lifting and moving.
3. Promote the adoption and implementation of proper equipment, technology, and protocols to ensure safe patient handling and minimize the risk of work injuries.

Topic Overview:

To develop a high-reliability safety culture, safe working conditions and safe work practices can be developed using a Safety Management System that is equally beneficial for worker, patient, visitor, and public safety. However, this will have limited effectiveness unless it becomes a continual improvement cycle with consistent participation and engagement from both workers and leaders. To create this participation and engagement, recognition, incentives, and communication are much more effective - and fun - than simply creating more directives that must be enforced. This presentation illustrates the development and rollout of a Safety Management System meeting the five high-reliability principles and all the points of participation and engagement in it. Furthermore, this presentation provides methods for creating and assessing the need for positive reinforcement to optimize the continual improvement cycle through participation and engagement. Examples of recognition, incentive, and communication programs, and case studies of these programs having been implemented with the resources and materials, will be available on request.

Objectives:

1. Identify the major components of a Safety Management System.
2. Identify the five high-reliability principles.
3. Identify at least three methods of creating positive reinforcement for safe working conditions and safe work practices.
4. Identify at least three examples of safety recognition, incentive, and communication programs.

Topic Overview:

A multi-hospital health system with 20,000+ employees switched from a "reactive" new hire Urine Drug Screen (UDS) program to a "proactive" Fitness for Duty (FFD) program. This presentation will share the education provided to system leadership to help them understand the difference between FFD and health history review programs, how to address impairment concerns, and how to respond. Learn how this transition took place and the plan moving forward to keep our workforce safe.

Objectives:

1. Discuss one health system's successful switch to a proactive approach FFD program.
2. Discuss the differences between FFD and health history review programs.
3. Discuss gaps and challenges faced during the transition away from new hire UDS collection.

Topic Overview:

The pandemic was an incredibly scary time for all of us. Everything shut down, limiting travel and face-to-face interaction. This forced providers to utilize other technological methods for care such as virtual visits and electronic communication. While the unknown of the pandemic has been frightening, it did open doors to many opportunities and learning experiences in the virtual world. The goal of this presentation is to share how occupational health within a large healthcare organization in the Midwest capitalized on this technological knowledge by using it to create a virtual process for employees transferring internally between facilities. Included will be the structure of our occupational health department and the collaboration behind creating this process. The presenters will discuss the development of the standard work process, challenges encountered and overcome, and training that took place to educate the team. The development of the employee virtual transfer process alleviates some of the workload from occupational health teams located within our facilities and allows more time to provide safety rounding and education. This in turn will result in a more proactive rather than reactive approach to employee safety concerns, one strategic goal within occupational health. Feedback received from facility-based occupational health teams and employees who have participated in the virtual transfer process will also be included.

Objectives:

1. Explain how a virtual transfer process was created within a large healthcare organization in the Midwest.
2. Explain the virtual transfer process, including building, training, and implementation.
3. Describe challenges encountered and accomplishments celebrated along the way.

Topic Overview:

Measles has been a growing problem around the world and within the health care system. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified 58 measles cases in the United States in 2023. Additional measles cases continue to be identified in 2024. Increasing measles activity means staff who do not have record of immunity are at greater risk of contracting the disease and ultimately putting patients at risk. Managing an exposure to measles can be frightening for occupational health staff and employees. A large healthcare system in the Midwest in 2019 implemented a plan to obtain immunity status to measles for all healthcare personnel without documentation of vaccination or a positive titer. This hospital system has an organized approach to handling exposures in the hospital that starts with having extremely accurate pre-employment records. A small community hospital within this organization had a measles exposure in 2023, and there was minimal worry among staff due to excellent records for employees, early employee notification, and the exposure protocols provided for occupational health to utilize during the exposure. This proactive approach eliminated the need for lab testing and vaccinations after the exposure and allowed the occupational health nurse to focus on reassuring employees they were safe. This presentation will explain the steps required to manage occupational measles exposures to healthcare personnel.

Objectives:

1. Explain what measles is and why managing it is a challenge for healthcare organizations.
2. Describe the steps required to manage occupational measles exposures to healthcare personnel.
3. Identify a proactive occupational health strategy for responding to potential measles exposures.

Topic Overview:

This session is a light-hearted, fun look back at how far ergonomics has come in the last 50 years. From the first 'ergonomic' chair to the 'I Love Lucy' candy production line, this session will look at the historical events and trends that shaped the field of ergonomics and share what future technology holds for those in safety.

Objectives:

1. Identify past events that resulted in changes to safety and ergonomics.
2. Identify trends seen throughout the past century that led to better safety and ergonomics tools.
3. Learn what the future holds in safety technology (sensors, wearables, exoskeletons, etc.)

Topic Overview:

We live in an era of virtual presence. It is not uncommon to have conversations via text messages, emails, social media, or virtual meetings. Without the face-to-face interaction, the intent or tone of any message can be misconstrued. A crucial conversation is a discussion between two or more people where the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. We encounter crucial conversations in our personal as well as our professional lives. This workshop will walk participants through the steps of preparing and successfully delivering that crucial conversation, whether virtually or in-person. Techniques will be discussed on how to execute a well-delivered conversation.

Objectives:

1. Recognize a crucial conversation and the settings in which crucial conversations occur.
2. Detail how to prepare and deliver a crucial conversation.
3. Conduct a self-assessment and determine types of communicators.
4. Evaluate strategies for assuring successful communication.

Topic Overview:

Mental health is an important component of overall well-being that is equally as vital as physical health for all employees. It has been said that mental health and physical health are two sides of the same coin. One of the primary functions of the employee health office is to assure the health and safety of the workforce by offering immunizations, health screenings, etc. Meanwhile, mental health concerns have the potential to adversely impact an employee's social interactions, productivity, performance, and absenteeism. What happens when an employee's mental health escalates on the job, and they find themselves overwhelmed and unable to perform the functions of their job? In the absence of an on-site counselor or therapist, the employee health office may be seen as the resource for in-the-moment crisis handling. During this presentation, participants will gain knowledge on how to handle the in-the-moment crisis. Learn what to listen for and signs of lethal vs non-lethal attempts of self-harm. There will also be discussion on implementing programs, such as Schwartz Rounding, to foster a climate of mental well-being on an on-going basis.

Objectives:

1. Learn what to say and do when a member of the workforce comes to the employee health office experiencing a mental health crisis.
2. Learn how to locate available resources and criteria for using them.
3. Gain knowledge on how to differentiate between lethal and non-lethal methods of self-harm.
4. Acquire knowledge on what administrative controls can be put in place to help lessen workplace stress and reduce burnout and turnover.

Topic Overview:

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are both common and costly, posing a significant financial burden on U.S. companies, with direct costs alone reaching $50 billion, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This session will explore how the University of California (UC), one of California's largest employers, is proactively addressing musculoskeletal health through system-wide initiatives. By deploying advanced assessment solutions, UC aims to curtail ergonomic risks, enhance overall productivity, and increase UC's bottom line. The presentation will include effective techniques for implementing ergonomics programs, navigating challenges in ergonomics management, and showcasing how UC leverages acquired insights and tools to make well-informed decisions, ensuring the maintenance of a healthy workforce. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the staggering economic impact of MSDs on U.S. companies, the pivotal role employers play in promoting musculoskeletal health, and the technology tools available to conduct and monitor ergonomic assessments. Learn how proactive risk assessments can serve as a vital strategy for identifying potential problem areas and facilitating practical workplace adjustments. Leave with practical insights on how to leverage these learnings and tools to make informed decisions, create a healthier work environment, and encourage employees to adopt habits that prevent and alleviate MSDs.

Objectives:

1. Embrace a data-first approach in fostering a safe and healthy worksite.
2. Explore the integration of technological solutions for proactive risk assessments, emphasizing their effectiveness in identifying potential problem areas.
3. Discuss how technology can be applied to create a smarter and healthier work environment, specifically addressing MSD prevention.
4. Integrate training to encourage employees to adopt habits that contribute to the prevention and alleviation of musculoskeletal disorders.

Topic Overview:

Effective use of workplace violence injury data has a significant impact on the process design of comprehensive employee safety management and prevention programs. Defining workplace violence is crucial when evaluating the increased prevalence of safety events within the healthcare industry. Proactive employee education, along with streamlined reporting, improves data accuracy while creating prevention opportunities. This presentation will describe the process used by a large healthcare organization in the Midwest to develop and implement an employee injury surveillance program, its sustainability, and the impact on the culture of safety.

Objectives:

1. Describe how reporting all workplace violence incidence impacts operational decision making.
2. Explain the development of the Serious Employee Event Review Process.
3. Identify the response tools integrated into the system's workplace violence safety initiatives.

Topic Overview:

The COVID-19 pandemic brought associate safety to the forefront of conversations, and it became apparent efforts were needed to improve the safety of healthcare workers and reduce the number of injuries occurring in all care settings. The idea of a multidisciplinary committee to provide leadership, direction, and oversight in all areas which could impact associate safety was developed. The vision of the Associate Safety Committee is to provide the framework and resources for a standardized approach to promote a healthy and safe environment for all employees and contingent workers through the involvement of all individuals with regard to education, communication, and safe work practices. Subcommittees were developed to address the top five injuries, including: needlestick/sharps; slips, trips, and falls; and safe patient mobilization. Workplace violence was addressed in a broader committee in which Associate Occupational Health was a participant. This approach allowed us to reduce our incident rate by 5% in the first six months of this committee.

Objectives:

1. Review the development and implementation of a multidisciplinary committee focused on the reduction of associate safety events.
2. Share the organization and implementation of the committee across 140 hospitals in 19 states.
3. Outline strategies used to reduce associate injuries.

Topic Overview:

Within a large hospital system there are thousands of employees who count on Occupational Health 24 hours a day for their work-related needs. Occupational health nurses wear many hats throughout the day, utilizing multiple systems and applications for documentation and order entry. One type of employee injury is body substance exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Body substance exposure lab work is completed on the source patient to determine the risk of transmission of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV from the source patient to the employee. This presentation describes the review of a health system's body substance exposure process, which identified challenges such as an underutilized computer system and varied lab registration process that were causing delays. In response, from the ground up, through trial and error, collaboration, and teamwork, the computer system was adapted to allow for source patient electronic order entry. This presentation will highlight challenges overcome through the evolution of the electronic body substance exposure process and describe how the new process allowed occupational health departments to more quickly manage body substance exposures with fewer steps for injured employees.

Objectives:

1. Understand the challenges associated with the body substance exposure process and the need for transitioning from paper to an electronic process.
2. Identify those impacted by the changes made with the body substance exposure process.
3. Understand the challenges encountered when rolling out an electronic body substance exposure process.
4. Identify the teaching components/tools developed to ensure a successful transition to the new body substance exposure process.

Topic Overview:

Each year, healthcare organizations spend countless hours coordinating flu campaigns as well as calculating and submitting data for mandatory National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting. Barriers to efficient vaccination compliance management can significantly impact the successful outcome of a flu campaign as well as NHSN reporting. Implementing operational systems increases the ability to use best practices regarding labor, supply chain, and communication. Decreasing agency needs, minimizing supply chain barriers, and improving communication plans helps to efficiently manage annual vaccination campaigns. Implementing digital employee health solutions is one way to help achieve accurate, timely, and consistent compliance reporting. Having a successful flu campaign by using enhanced digital employee health solutions allows for the automation of NHSN reporting, which can help to minimize manual calculations needed to prepare the NHSN data as well as reduce stress on employee health staff.

Objectives:

1. Identify at least two major barriers to efficient vaccination compliance management.
2. Assess the organizational process for opportunities to implement operational systems to efficiently manage annual vaccination campaigns.
3. Assess the organizational process for opportunities to implement digital health solutions to efficiently manage vaccination compliance and reporting.

Topic Overview:

Human fatigue is an operational hazard for all extended-hours healthcare facilities. If left unchecked, fatigue can impair staff performance, health, and safety, as well as negatively impact the quality of patient care. Over the past 20 years, a broad international consensus has emerged across many 24/7 industries that the optimal way to manage and reduce fatigue risk is through a systematic process called a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS). As a scientifically-based system with multiple components, an FRMS is driven, implemented, and improved by data identifying the drivers of fatigue risk specific to an organization. In this presentation, the five key defenses to building and sustaining an FRMS for healthcare operations will be reviewed: Workload-Staffing, Scheduling, Training, Work Environment, and Fatigue Monitoring. The presentation will examine the goal of each defense, tools to mitigate fatigue, and metrics to evaluate the defense. Included in the discussion will be how biomathematical fatigue risk models that provide an objective fatigue score are being used to evaluate staffing levels and create risk-informed work schedules that drive down the risk of fatigue.

Objectives:

1. Present an overview of a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) and describe its critical components as they relate to the healthcare industry.
2. Describe the five key defenses to building and sustaining an FRMS in a healthcare operation.
3. Introduce and detail how a biomathematical fatigue risk model can be used in healthcare operations as a tool to plan, assess, benchmark, and analyze fatigue risk.

Topic Overview:

Ascension is committed to providing a safe environment for associates, patients, and visitors. In alignment with this commitment, our organization created a standardized respiratory protection program across 140 acute care facilities to ensure we are eliminating hazardous respiratory exposures. We leveraged technology for the success, ensuring we met not only organizational objectives, but all regulatory requirements. Standardization included associate education and training, medical evaluation, donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE), and N-95 fit-testing. Various platforms were utilized throughout the organization to create a collaborative approach among key stakeholders.

Objectives:

1. Identify goals of a respiratory protection program in alignment with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.
2. Share the development of a national standardized respiratory protection program utilized at 140 acute care facilities.
3. Outline how technology (electronic health record and compliance dashboards) can be leveraged to support a successful compliance program.

Topic Overview:

This session will feature one pediatric hospital's journey to improve safe patient handling outcomes for both patients and staff. Discussion will include how needs were identified, the use of regulations and lagging indicators (injuries) to obtain buy-in, equipment trials, and the implementation of new devices. Participants will learn how this process improved safe patient handling practices within the pediatric hospital setting.

Objectives:

1. Outline the journey of a pediatric hospital in enhancing safe patient handling outcomes for both patients and staff.
2. Demonstrate the utilization of regulations and lagging indicators, such as injuries, to garner support and buy-in for safe patient handling initiatives.
3. Examine the process of identifying institutional needs, conducting trials of equipment, and implementing new devices to improve safe patient handling practices within the pediatric hospital setting.

Topic Overview:

In the fast-paced world of occupational health, prioritizing personal well-being is essential for maintaining professional effectiveness and the ability to care for others. The "Mindful Balance" presentation offers occupational health professionals a transformative journey toward achieving holistic well-being. Participants will delve into the critical importance of self-care, recognizing its pivotal role in professional success and personal fulfillment. Through mastering mindfulness techniques, attendees will learn practical methods to reduce stress levels and enhance focus in their daily lives. Moreover, the session empowers participants to develop personalized self-care plans tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. By applying the strategies discussed, attendees will cultivate a harmonious work/life synergy, fostering improved overall well-being and job satisfaction. The presentation also provides attendees with self-assessment tools to evaluate their current work/life balance objectively. Through this process, participants will identify areas for improvement and set actionable goals to enhance their well-being. Ultimately, "Mindful Balance" goes beyond a mere presentation; it serves as a call to action for occupational health professionals to prioritize their well-being. By embracing self-care as a fundamental aspect of their practice, attendees will embark on a journey toward greater resilience, fulfillment, and professional success.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in at least three mindfulness techniques to integrate into daily routines to reduce stress and enhance focus at work.
2. Apply specific self-care strategies to formulate a personalized work/life synergy plan, aiming to improve overall well-being within four weeks post-session.
3. Utilize self-assessment tools to evaluate current work/life balance objectively.
4. Identify at least two areas for improvement of work/life balance, and set actionable goals for enhancement.

Topic Overview:

Healthcare workers (HCWs) who prepare, administer, transport, or dispose of hazardous drugs may face risks to their health. There are established environmental and engineering controls when handling hazardous drugs, and if the appropriate controls are not followed, or these controls are compromised, HCWs are at an increased health risk. Annual surveillance of HCWs who handle these drugs is necessary to ensure their long-term safety. Utilizing the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Hazardous Drug list and aligning with USP 800 requirements, a multidisciplinary team developed a standardized approach for education and surveillance of high risk associates to reduce the risk of harm when handling hazardous drugs. Ascension employs more than 130,000 associates and is using the IHI Framework to improve workplace safety, ultimately resulting in an advancement of patient safety.

Objectives:

1. Review the health risks healthcare workers face when preparing, administering, transporting, or disposing of hazardous drugs.
2. Share strategies to support the standardization of surveillance of associates handling hazardous drugs in a national healthcare system model.
3. Discuss engineering and environmental controls used to decrease the risk of hazardous drug exposures.
4. Outline the implementation of a surveillance program to proactively identify risks associated with handling hazardous drugs.

Topic Overview:

Mount Sinai South Nassau (MSSN) Employee Health Services (EHS) implements many interventions and programs to improve the health and well-being of employees to make sure they are fit for duty. Every year, EHS conducts three to four flu pods, providing onsite and offsite visits at various locations to help increase influenza compliance. As we navigated through the recent influenza season, we noticed a significant increase in employees who declined the influenza vaccine. In researching the impact that COVID-19 mandates had on healthcare workers and influenza vaccine compliance, we discovered the percentage of employees that declined the influenza vaccine was three times greater than pre-pandemic, mainly because of personal reasons, religious reasons, and medical exemptions. EHS interactions with employees revealed that many employees have concerns about the side effects and long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccines, affecting their decision to receive the influenza vaccine. These concerns were fueled by how quicky the COVID-19 vaccines were created, the new technology used to create the vaccines, and the limited studies on their long-term impact. EHS created a fact sheet outlining waysinfluenza vaccine can help save lives, information associated with the signs and symptoms of influenza, simple ways to prevent the spread of influenza, and recent statistics on the number of individuals who lose their lives every year from influenza. The information will help healthcare workers and families, patients, colleagues, and the public avoid contracting influenza and prevent another pandemic by bringing more awareness to the influenza vaccine through education, thus increasing compliance rates in the years ahead.

Objectives:

1. Compare influenza declinations pre-pandemic vs post-pandemic.
2. Identify the prevalent reasons why healthcare workers decline the influenza vaccine post-pandemic.
3. Increase awareness of influenza vaccine/virus via vaccine sheet.
4. Increase influenza vaccine compliance rates.

Topic Overview:

Traditional employee healthcare models are often decentralized, leading to a shortsighted approach in identifying trends and implementing problem-solving solutions. Decentralization tends to result in varying care standards and processes across distinct locations especially in large, multi-site health systems. This complicates the aggregation of data necessary for directional insights, leading to inconsistent experiences for healthcare workers when interacting with the employee health team. Historically, employee health is available only during business hours, and this is problematic considering 40% of bloodborne exposures (BBEs) occurred outside of regular business hours. Without 24/7 expert support from employee health experts, the initial management phase of BBEs often falls to clinical leaders who may have many competing priorities or may not be familiar with current standards and exposure processes. Designing a new care model that provides round-the-clock support ensures consistent management of BBEs, as well as accessible and equitable support from employee health experts for all employees, regardless of the shift worked. A 24/7 model, while initially appearing costly, offers significant, long-term cost-saving opportunities. For instance, treatment costs of BBEs associated with Emergency Department visits can often be avoided through rapid exposure source testing managed by employee health, regardless of the time of day. When all BBEs are managed consistently and centrally, variation can be avoided, minimizing risk and improving the healthcare worker experience. Having reliable, consistent practices within the healthcare system reduces the administrative and cognitive burden for operational leaders, especially those with responsibilities across multiple locations.

Objectives:

1. Identify key risk factors for negative impact to the care of healthcare workers.
2. Assess a healthcare organization's vulnerability to decline in adequate care of healthcare workers.
3. Assess an employee healthcare model for the ability to care for healthcare workers in the face of a crisis.

Topic Overview:

According to the American Diabetes Association, over 38 million Americans, or 11.6% of the population, have diabetes and approximately 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed each year. The cost of diabetes in the United States in 2022 was more than $412.9 billion dollars ($306.6 billion in direct medical costs, and $106.3 billion in indirect costs such as reduced productivity, unemployment from disability, and premature mortality). Although diabetes prevalence remains stable, the direct medical costs attributed to diabetes increased by 7% between 2017 and 2022. Occupational health professionals are in a unique position to have a positive impact on employees' and their families' health choices. By staying current on the treatment and educational resources, occupational health professionals can assist workers in understanding how to manage diabetes to minimize long-term health problems and remain productive at work. This presentation will focus primarily on Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), current treatment trends in managing T2D diabetes, and resources available to employees for remaining productive at work.

Objectives:

1. Identify current evidence-based treatment regimens for the patient with T2D.
2. Review the use of technology in managing and treating diabetes.
3. Discuss effective strategies to support diabetic self-management behaviors.
4. Describe educational resources available to occupational health professionals for educating employees on diagnosis, treatment, and education.

Topic Overview:

Employees of size are often unknowingly excluded from everyday activities in the workplace. Sixty-six percent of Americans are overweight or obese. Employees report barriers in parking, toileting, waiting areas, office settings, the cafeteria, seating, and more. These barriers lead to misunderstanding, insensitivities, and ultimately exclusion. The purpose of this presentation is to explore steps for the occupational health professional to put in place for a workplace where employees of all sizes can move throughout without the threat of emotional, health, or physical barriers.

Objectives:

1. Identify the impact frequency and severity of obesity have on disability, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
2. Discuss commonly-accepted employee health and wellness strategies.
3. Describe elements of the lived experience of obesity in the workplace.

Topic Overview:

Effective use of injury data is critical to the design of comprehensive employee injury management programs. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration emphasizes the importance of predictive data measures called leading indicators to steer proactivity and avoid injuries. These data can be paired with data measures tied to past injuries called lagging indicators to help identify injury program gaps. Establishing a comprehensive injury data management strategy requires intentional decisions that consider how to use leading and lagging indicators, the resources available to collect and analyze data, and the rationale for identifying data to be collected, analyzed and acted upon. This presentation will describe the process used by a large healthcare organization in the Midwest to develop and implement an employee injury surveillance program and its sustainability through multiple years that overlapped with the acute response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, this presentation will explain how employee injury surveillance work has supplemented other employee safety initiatives and functioned as a bridge to assist with developing more proactive prevention efforts. Methodology for determining what data to collect and how to gather it from organizational managers will be described, along with the analytical strategy used to evaluate historical trends and patterns, and the steps used to communicate important findings and opportunities for additional investigation or action. Examples will be provided to demonstrate how the surveillance system has been used to inform workplace violence injury prevention initiatives, assisted with measuring the effectiveness of an injury training program, and guided the creation of a structured occupational health injury rounding tool.

Objectives:

1. Define leading indicators, lagging indicators, and epidemiological surveillance, and describe the benefits of incorporating them into an employee injury prevention program.
2. Explain the methods used to develop an employee injury surveillance system rooted in the principles of leading and lagging indicators.
3. Describe the data analysis and communication strategies used to help guide operational decision-making and injury prevention initiatives.
4. Identify multiple examples of how an employee injury surveillance program directly contributes to workplace injury programs.

Topic Overview:

In this session, participants will embark on a journey to optimize their workstation ergonomics and enhance their overall well-being during the workday. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, attendees will learn to analyze their current workstations for ergonomic risks, identifying potential areas for improvement. Armed with this knowledge, participants will implement two adjustments aimed at enhancing comfort and promoting better posture. Additionally, the session will provide valuable insights into practical tips and techniques to incorporate healthy movement habits into daily work routines, mitigating discomfort and supporting overall health. Attendees will develop strategies to break up prolonged sitting periods and encourage regular movement throughout the day, understanding the profound benefits of good ergonomics for both productivity and well-being. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with actionable strategies to create a more ergonomic and health-conscious work environment, fostering improved comfort, productivity, and overall wellness.

Objectives:

1. Analyze a current workstation for ergonomic risks by identifying and describing at least three potential hazards.
2. Implement ergonomic principles by adjusting at least two workstation components (e.g., chair height, monitor position) to improve comfort and posture.
3. Apply at least two practical tips or techniques (e.g., stretching routines, micro breaks) to promote healthy movement and prevent discomfort throughout the workday.

Topic Overview:

Results of the "Fill the Gap" mini-EXPO-STOP 2019-2023 Blood and Body Fluid Exposure survey will be presented and discussed using PowerPoint. Incidence benchmarking by hospital size and teaching status will be presented, and EXPO-STOP results will be compared with those from EPINet and Massachusetts Department of Health annual surveys. The presentation may include interviews with participants from hospitals identified as having the lowest sharps injury incidence, with emphasis on what reduction strategies were deemed most effective.

Objectives:

1. Describe trends in sharps injury incidence between 2011 and 2023.
2. Discuss sharps injury incidence by hospital size and teaching status.
3. Identify at least two practices that hallmark "sharps safe" institutions.

Topic Overview:

Your mental health is based on healthy relationships, both at work and at home. Good relationships are based on respect, positive intent, and good communication. What derails these? Lack of sleep, stereotyping, silent treatment? What does your workforce look like? Do they all value the same things, and have the same motivation and rewards? Different generations in the workforce have different attitudes, opinions, and expectations. We don't all think and act the same. This session looks at these relationships in the workforce. With 56% of the workforce now being comprised of younger/older millennials (those under age 40), it is important to understand what their motivations are, how they communicate, and how they build relationships.

Objectives:

1. Learn what motivates each generation in the workplace.
2. Learn the importance of 'checking their own baggage' before carrying it into the workplace as preconceived ideas and stereotypes.
3. Understand how to include and work with an ever-changing workforce.