Medical certification of workers for respirator use is an important activity of occupational medicine health professionals. Spirometry is a diagnostic tool to evaluate respiratory distress/insufficiency that may affect respirator use. In this study, we analyzed the pulmonary function data of 337 workers from different occupations which required medical evaluation to wear a respirator. The American Thoracic Society and National Fire Protection Association criteria were used to evaluate employees. Of 337 workers who were cleared for respiratory use on the basis of medical questionnaires for respirator compliance, 14 (4.15%) failed to pass respirator compliance on the basis of NFPA criteria and 5 (1.48%) failed to pass respirator compliance criteria on the basis of ATS criteria. We compared the use of different Spirometric equations to evaluate these criteria and we found the Crapo equation cleared more workers for respirator use as compared to the Knudson and NHANES III equations. We also measured repeated Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st Second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and compared the results longitudinally over time. Age was the only significant factor affecting the reduction in the lung function in longitudinal analysis. Longitudinal spirometry results suggested that workers were protected while using a respirator in the workplace, but age is the significant factor in reducing their lung function. As some workers were able to qualify for respirator use based on questionnaire alone but failed respirator clearance subsequent to pulmonary function testing, it is recommended that spirometry be used to evaluate clearance for all workers who will use a respirator in the workplace. As well, using different Spirometric equations can affect the outcome on passing or failing clearance for respirator use, and this should be considered in a respiratory medical certification program.

Globally, investigations into food-borne illnesses show that the majority of cases involve poor hand hygiene of the food handler. The challenge of providing safe food therefore requires new strategies for evaluating cross-contamination of pathogenic micro-organisms on the food handler's hands, which might be detrimental or hazardous to the health of the patient Although food-borne diseases may be multifactorial in aetiology, no standards or evaluation systems, such as an occupational health surveillance programme, are available to monitor and ensure that food is free of pathogens. The formulation and implementation of standards may contribute to ensuring that food handlers comply with hand hygiene practices during food handling. Such practices guarantee that food reaching the patient is safe. The objectives in this research project originated from the occupational health practice and gave direction of the empirical research project. The literature was reviewed to discover what is currently known concerning the food handlers' hand hygiene during food handling and food-borne illnesses and the theoretical framework gave direction and guidance to the survey design of the empirical research, which was quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The food handlers from the food preparation sections of the four major healthcare services in Potchefstroom, in the North West Province, South Africa, were the target population and the sampling method was all-inclusive (n=110). Eighty (75.47%) food handlers participated in the research project. The design entailed three steps. The first was conducted with a questionnaire, to identify the food handlers' compliance with hand hygiene during food handling. The second step involved determining the prevalence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on the food handlers' hands. The results were used for the formulation of standards for the hand hygiene of food handlers. Finally, recommendations for practice, education and research were made. The implementation of these recommendations could contribute knowledge to the body of nursing and promote good hand hygiene practices in the healthcare service. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Globally, investigations into food-borne illnesses show that the majority of cases involve poor hand hygiene of the food handler. The challenge of providing safe food therefore requires new strategies for evaluating cross-contamination of pathogenic micro-organisms on the food handler's hands, which might be detrimental or hazardous to the health of the patient Although food-borne diseases may be multifactorial in aetiology, no standards or evaluation systems, such as an occupational health surveillance programme, are available to monitor and ensure that food is free of pathogens. The formulation and implementation of standards may contribute to ensuring that food handlers comply with hand hygiene practices during food handling. Such practices guarantee that food reaching the patient is safe. The objectives in this research project originated from the occupational health practice and gave direction of the empirical research project. The literature was reviewed to discover what is currently known concerning the food handlers' hand hygiene during food handling and food-borne illnesses and the theoretical framework gave direction and guidance to the survey design of the empirical research, which was quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature. The food handlers from the food preparation sections of the four major healthcare services in Potchefstroom, in the North West Province, South Africa, were the target population and the sampling method was all-inclusive (n=110). Eighty (75.47%) food handlers participated in the research project. The design entailed three steps. The first was conducted with a questionnaire, to identify the food handlers' compliance with hand hygiene during food handling. The second step involved determining the prevalence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on the food handlers' hands. The results were used for the formulation of standards for the hand hygiene of food handlers. Finally, recommendations for practice, education and research were made. The implementation of these recommendations could contribute knowledge to the body of nursing and promote good hand hygiene practices in the healthcare service. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Orientador: Maria Cecília Pereira Binder / Resumo: O estudo teve como objetivo implantar sistema de captação de acidentes do trabalho no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu UNESP, e descrever o processo de implantação, bem como analisar aspectos dos acidentes segundo variáveis registradas nos instrumentos de captação. Os documentos de notificação utilizados foram a Comunicação de Acidente do Trabalho, CAT, para os acidentados cobertos pelo Seguro Acidente de Trabalho, SAT, e Relatório de Atendimento ao Acidentado do Trabalho RAAT, para os não cobertos. Propôs-se modificação do RAAT, visando aprimorá-lo para melhor especificar a inserção do trabalhador no mercado de trabalho e o diagnóstico da lesão. Descrevem-se aspectos da organização do Hospital das Clínicas relevantes para a análise da implantação do sistema de captação. Discutem-se peculiaridades, dificuldades e limitações relacionadas à dinâmica de funcionamento de um hospital escola, apresentando-se algumas hipóteses explicativas. As informações obtidas através das notificações possibilitaram analisar os 275 acidentes captados no período do estudo (julho de 2004 a agosto de 2005). Houve predomínio de acidentes do trabalho tipo ou típicos: 81,1% dos casos. Quanto ao instrumento de captação, 76% dos casos foram registrados por meio de CAT e 24%, de RAAT. Com relação à inserção do acidentado no mercado de trabalho, observou-se que a informação havia sido registrada em 149 (54,2%) notificações, dentre as quais 123 eram empregados regidos pela Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho. Este estudo revelou a existência de numerosos acidentes pérfuro-cortantes em empregados de empresa de limpeza hospitalar, que exerciam atividades no Hospital das Clínicas, o que evidencia descarte inadequado de pérfuro-cortantes neste hospital... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this study is to implement a system for recording occupational accidents in the Clinical Hospital of theSchool of Medicine of Botucatu UNESP, and to describe the process of the implementation, as well as analyzing aspects of the accidents, according to the variables registered in the accident notification forms. The notification documents used were: Occupational Accident Communication (CAT), for accident victims covered by Occupational Accident Insurance (SAT), and the Occupational Accident Victim Assistance Report (RAAT), for those not covered. Modifications to the RAAT have been proposed, aiming to improve the specification of the worker's position in the employment market and the diagnosis of the injury. Relevant aspects of the Clinical Hospital's organization have been described for the analysis of the implementation of the recording system. Peculiarities, difficulties and limitations relating to the dynamic functioning of the school hospital have been discussed, presenting some explanatory hypotheses. The information obtained through the accident notification forms enabled an analysis of 275 recorded accidents during the period of the study (July 2004 to August 2005). The majority of occupational accidents, 81.1% of cases, occurred in the work place (typical). As far as the accident notification forms are concerned, 76% of cases were registered through CAT and 24% through RAAT. It was observed that, in relation to the accident victim's position in the employment market, from the information registered in 149 (54.2%) notifications, 123 were employees regulated by Employment Law Legislation (CLT). This study has revealed the existence of a large number of puncture wound injuries in employees of hospital cleaning companies, working in the school hospital, suggesting evidence of the inappropriate disposal of puncturing and cutting instruments... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-02-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:38:58Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 machado_tas_me_botfm.pdf: 670136 bytes, checksum: 77ba56a496068d54a2ca3efc65fedcb3 (MD5) / O estudo teve como objetivo implantar sistema de captação de acidentes do trabalho no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu UNESP, e descrever o processo de implantação, bem como analisar aspectos dos acidentes segundo variáveis registradas nos instrumentos de captação. Os documentos de notificação utilizados foram a Comunicação de Acidente do Trabalho, CAT, para os acidentados cobertos pelo Seguro Acidente de Trabalho, SAT, e Relatório de Atendimento ao Acidentado do Trabalho RAAT, para os não cobertos. Propôs-se modificação do RAAT, visando aprimorá-lo para melhor especificar a inserção do trabalhador no mercado de trabalho e o diagnóstico da lesão. Descrevem-se aspectos da organização do Hospital das Clínicas relevantes para a análise da implantação do sistema de captação. Discutem-se peculiaridades, dificuldades e limitações relacionadas à dinâmica de funcionamento de um hospital escola, apresentando-se algumas hipóteses explicativas. As informações obtidas através das notificações possibilitaram analisar os 275 acidentes captados no período do estudo (julho de 2004 a agosto de 2005). Houve predomínio de acidentes do trabalho tipo ou típicos: 81,1% dos casos. Quanto ao instrumento de captação, 76% dos casos foram registrados por meio de CAT e 24%, de RAAT. Com relação à inserção do acidentado no mercado de trabalho, observou-se que a informação havia sido registrada em 149 (54,2%) notificações, dentre as quais 123 eram empregados regidos pela Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho. Este estudo revelou a existência de numerosos acidentes pérfuro-cortantes em empregados de empresa de limpeza hospitalar, que exerciam atividades no Hospital das Clínicas, o que evidencia descarte inadequado de pérfuro-cortantes neste hospital... / The objective of this study is to implement a system for recording occupational accidents in the Clinical Hospital of theSchool of Medicine of Botucatu UNESP, and to describe the process of the implementation, as well as analyzing aspects of the accidents, according to the variables registered in the accident notification forms. The notification documents used were: Occupational Accident Communication (CAT), for accident victims covered by Occupational Accident Insurance (SAT), and the Occupational Accident Victim Assistance Report (RAAT), for those not covered. Modifications to the RAAT have been proposed, aiming to improve the specification of the worker's position in the employment market and the diagnosis of the injury. Relevant aspects of the Clinical Hospital's organization have been described for the analysis of the implementation of the recording system. Peculiarities, difficulties and limitations relating to the dynamic functioning of the school hospital have been discussed, presenting some explanatory hypotheses. The information obtained through the accident notification forms enabled an analysis of 275 recorded accidents during the period of the study (July 2004 to August 2005). The majority of occupational accidents, 81.1% of cases, occurred in the work place (typical). As far as the accident notification forms are concerned, 76% of cases were registered through CAT and 24% through RAAT. It was observed that, in relation to the accident victim's position in the employment market, from the information registered in 149 (54.2%) notifications, 123 were employees regulated by Employment Law Legislation (CLT). This study has revealed the existence of a large number of puncture wound injuries in employees of hospital cleaning companies, working in the school hospital, suggesting evidence of the inappropriate disposal of puncturing and cutting instruments... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below)