Exploring Respiratory Protection Practices for Prominent Hazards in Healthcare Settings

Details

• Personal Author:
  Boiano, James M. ; Fisher E ; Nasarwanji, Mahiyar F. ; Steege, Andrea L. ; Wizner K
• Description:
  The use of respiratory protection, an important component of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare, is dependent on the hazard and environmental conditions in the workplace. This requires the employer and healthcare worker (HCW) to be knowledgeable about potential exposures and their respective protective measures. However, the use of respirators is inconsistent in healthcare settings, potentially putting HCWs at risk for illness or injury. To better understand respirator use, barriers, and influences, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health and Safety Practices Survey of Healthcare Workers provided an opportunity to examine self-reported use of respirators and surgical masks for targeted hazards. The hazards of interest included aerosolized medications, antineoplastic drugs, chemical sterilants, high-level disinfectants, influenza-like illness (ILI), and surgical smoke. Of the 10,383 HCWs who reported respiratory protection behaviors, 1,904 (18%) reported wearing a respirator for at least one hazard. Hazard type, job duties, site characteristics, and organizational factors played a greater role in the likelihood of respirator use than individual factors. The proportion of respirator users was highest for aerosolized medications and lowest for chemical sterilants. Most respondents reported using a surgical mask for at least one of the hazards, with highest use for surgical smoke generated by electrosurgical techniques and ILI. The high proportion of respirator non-users who used surgical masks is concerning because HCWs may be using a surgical mask in situations that require a respirator, specifically for surgical smoke. Improved guidance on hazard recognition, risk evaluation, and appropriate respirator selection could potentially help HCWs better understand how to protect themselves at work. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Chemistry Disinfectants Environmental Exposure Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Health Personnel Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Antineoplastic Agents Author Keywords: Respiratory Protection Chemical Properties Environmental Protection Exposure Levels Hazards Health Care Facilities Health Care Workers Healthcare Worker Safety Hospital Chemical Hazards Medicinal Chemicals Personal Protection Personal Protective Equipment PPE Protective Measures Respirators Respirators And Surgical Masks Respiratory Protection Risk Factors Work Environment Workers

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• ISSN:
  1545-9624
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  NPPTL - National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  15
• Issue:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20051555
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Hyg 2018 Aug; 15(8):588-597
• Contact Point Address:
  Kerri Wizner, CPH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory- Research Branch 626 Cochrans Mill Road, Bldg. 141 Office 138B, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
• Email:
  kwizner@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9ed551d8d2c23a0e6d5a4cfbddf41a5b340c945c47c892f9260b93bf14b19b12b204dc1a9f317ca785be0f44ec530c71bca701a0baaee268c8f495d313d0d192
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/211452/cdc_211452_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.69 MB ]