A Qualitative Assessment of Changes in Occupational Exposures Among Healthcare Facility Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Carson A ; Conway S ; De Los Reyes J ; Delclos GL ; Gimeno Ruiz de Porras D ; Han I ; Henneberger, Paul K. ; Mitchell LE ; Patel J ; Patel R ; Pompeii L ; Whitehead LW ; Zock J-P
• Description:
  Adult-onset asthma, notably prevalent among healthcare professionals, especially nurses, is often attributed to occupational factors such as exposure to cleaning agents. Studies consistently underscore the substantial role of such exposure in work-related asthma among hospital staff. We aimed to (a) identify and characterize current practices in cleaning and aerosolized medication administration; (b) assess changes in practices since a similar 2003 study of Texas healthcare workers; and (c) identify factors contributing to diverse exposures within healthcare job categories. We conducted focus groups with 38 participants in 6 healthcare settings, analyzing current practices, changes since 2003, and factors contributing to exposure diversity. We used a three-step approach for data analysis, including sociodemographic characterization, a scissor-and-sort technique for exposure description, and qualitative content analysis. Participants were primarily healthcare providers (76%) and housekeepers/cleaners (11%) who reported exposure to aerosolized medications, cleaning products, adhesives, and solvents. Participants reported transitioning from cleaning practices to new formulas with reduced odors and shifting from spray cleansers to wipes. Personal protective equipment (PPE) used during cleaning tasks varied, with training differing among job categories. Aerosolized medication administration varied among facilities, with reported medication types and protocol changes over time. The results emphasized the significance of maintaining uniform protection, disseminating knowledge, and consistently adhering to PPE protocols in the healthcare environment. Addressing the identified gaps in comprehension and potential sources of exposure variability requires additional focus on occupational health and safety initiatives. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Health Personnel Household Work Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Qualitative Research Methods Cleaning Compounds Employee Health Health Care Facilities Housekeeping Personnel Nurses Occupational Health Qualitative Analysis Respiratory Conditions/Asthma Respiratory Health Work-related Asthma Workplace Hazards WRA

  More +
• ISSN:
  2165-0799
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Chicago Region [OSHA] ; Dallas Region [OSHA] ; Ohio ; Pennsylvania ; Philadelphia Region [OSHA] ; Texas ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  53-62
• Volume:
  73
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20070265
• Citation:
  Workplace Health Saf 2025 Feb; 73(2):53-62
• Contact Point Address:
  David Gimeno Ruiz de Porras, PhD, Dept of Environmental and Occupational Health, UT School of Public Health San Antonio, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), 8403 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
• Email:
  gimeno@uthscsa.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• Performing Organization:
  University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Workplace Health & Safety
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9ad06ae135cb5ca79d1e03228ccad73ecb14716ec6f3b03fac593b5f1d07fffeb2052b7c195ba34bfac48d2a8072661de45dbcc93740622c56e7e8d6a6513299
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208512/cdc_208512_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 254.81 KB ]