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Across the Province
British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has released a 33 minute DVD about the risks of pandemic influenza. The video brings experts from across Canada together to provide basic information on influenza, the threat of a pandemic, what healthcare workers can do now to prepare, and to answer other common questions. The video uses 3D animation and news coverage of a simulated pandemic to paint a realistic portrayal of what might actually happen. For pricing and ordering details, please visit theBCCDC website .
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British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has released a 33 minute DVD about the risks of pandemic influenza. The video brings experts from across Canada together to provide basic information on influenza, the threat of a pandemic, what healthcare workers can do now to prepare, and to answer other common questions. The video uses 3D animation and news coverage of a simulated pandemic to paint a realistic portrayal of what might actually happen. For pricing and ordering details, please visit the
In this issue:
PEARS Expansion in Northern Health
Resource of Interest: The Be Barrier Wise Video
OSHTip of the Month: Ceiling Lift as an Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Patient Handling Injuries Literature Review
Across the Nation: Orientation Manual for New Employees from OSACH
PEARS Expansion in Northern Health
The
Prevention and Early Active Return-to-Work Safely (PEARS) program is an
integrated prevention, early intervention, and return-to-work process.
Its overall purpose is to reduce the incidence, duration, time loss,
and related costs of injury and illness.
Northern
Health is expanding their current PEARS program geographically, to
offer PEARS services health authority-wide. The program will also be
integrated with their newly-developed program - "Employee Health
Services" (EHS) - developed in partnership with the PEARS program.
The
goals of this newly created program are aligned with Northern Health's
vision of becoming a model of excellence in rural healthcare. EHS staff
will promote the highest quality work practices by focusing on primary
prevention, i.e. the reduction of work-related risks, injuries, and
illnesses. The program will also continue providing integrated
secondary prevention processes, and promoting a culture of safety,
collaboration, respect, and accountability.
For more information about the PEARS program, please visit the OHSAH website .
Top
Resource of Interest: The Be Barrier Wise Video
Healthcare
workers face a risk of infection in their workplace; not surprisingly,
knowing how to be protected is essential to maintaining a healthy work
environment. Produced in collaboration with Vancouver Coastal Health,
the Be Barrier Wise video is a valuable resource for anyone working in
the healthcare setting. This 10 minute video outlines the routes of
transmission of infectious diseases and demonstrates the proper use of
protective barriers to be worn by healthcare workers.
The Be Barrier Wise video (VHS) is available free of charge to BC Healthcare and can be ordered online or over the phone (778.328.8000). A sample clip is also available on the OHSAH website .
Top
OSHTip of the Month
According
to WorkSafeBC, nursing staff experience the highest number of
musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in BC healthcare. Among all documented
MSIs, back injuries are the most common. 
Nurses
with frequent and direct physical contact with patients have been shown
to have a higher incidence of back injuries than those who do not
frequently work with patients. Nurses who have been injured commonly
report patient handling as a major cause of their injury.
In
recent years, ceiling-mounted lift devices have been increasingly
promoted as an alternative to other patient handling practices. As the "Ceiling Lift as an Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Patient Handling Injuries"
literature review suggests, recent studies have shown dramatic
reductions in the cost and severity of lifting and transferring tasks
and related injuries, when ceiling lifts are used for patient handling.
To lean more about ceiling lifts, please visit the OSHTips Database on the OHSAH website to read the full literature review.
Top
Across the Nation
Working
safely is a shared responsibility between an employee and the employer.
Provided by the Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare
(OSACH), First Steps to Health & Safety: Orientation for New Employees
is an 18 minute video that will help new staff understand their role,
and that of their employer, by introducing them to the safe work
practices. This DVD includes a comprehensive overview of client and
materials handling, WHMIS, slips and falls prevention, workplace
violence prevention, infection control measures, safe handling of
medical sharps, the role of the joint occupational health and safety
committee, and safe driving tips.
For ordering and pricing details call 1-877-250-7444 or visit www.osach.ca .
Top
Healthcare
workers face a risk of infection in their workplace; not surprisingly,
knowing how to be protected is essential to maintaining a healthy work
environment. Produced in collaboration with Vancouver Coastal Health,
the Be Barrier Wise video is a valuable resource for anyone working in
the healthcare setting. This 10 minute video outlines the routes of
transmission of infectious diseases and demonstrates the proper use of
protective barriers to be worn by healthcare workers.
The Be Barrier Wise video (VHS) is available free of charge to BC Healthcare and can be Nurses
with frequent and direct physical contact with patients have been shown
to have a higher incidence of back injuries than those who do not
frequently work with patients. Nurses who have been injured commonly
report patient handling as a major cause of their injury.
In
recent years, ceiling-mounted lift devices have been increasingly
promoted as an alternative to other patient handling practices. As the "Ceiling Lift as an Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Patient Handling Injuries"
literature review suggests, recent studies have shown dramatic
reductions in the cost and severity of lifting and transferring tasks
and related injuries, when ceiling lifts are used for patient handling.
To lean more about ceiling lifts, please visit the