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Council activities are outlined below. Contact the Sector Coordinator with any questions or comments.
September 2008
Fourth meeting. Explored partnership opportunities and the development of goals. Presenters from the NIH Clinical Center, Food and Drug Administration, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, CDC Foundation, Veterans Health Administration and CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion talked about their areas of interest and explored the overlapping interests of patient safety and worker safety. Presentations on the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Afghan Health Initiative and HHS Healthcare Personnel Flu Initiative were also made to the group. Workgroups were formed to develop strategic goals for the topics: musculoskeletal disorders, hazardous drugs/chemicals, sharps, infectious diseases, issues related to work overload, and effective occupational health and safety programs.
December 2007
At the third meeting, participants discussed the draft State of the Sector Document (see June 2007 meeting for a description of the document) focusing on the recommendations from each of the chapters. A summary document and a fact sheet were discussed. Draft strategic and intermediate goals were developed for the sector. Participants discussed the future focus areas for the Council and specific activities that could be undertaken to develop partnerships, address specific issues within the sector, and increase the implementation of existing interventions.
June 2007
The Sector Council is developing a document entitled: State of Sector --Health Care and Social Assistance: Identification of Research Gaps and Needs for the Next Decade of NORA. This document will provide information on the "state of the sector" including magnitude and consequences of known and emerging health and safety problems, critical research gaps, and research needs that should be addressed over the next decade of NORA. The document will contain sections designed for use by practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders from the public and private sectors with an interest in occupational safety and health issues affecting healthcare and social assistance workers. Members of the council and subject matter experts have been involved in writing the various sections of the document. The lead of each writing group discussed their initial draft and received feedback from the group. The council members discussed strategies for developing recommendations to be included in the document. A brief discussion on the development of goals for the sector was also held. Goals will be drafted later this year based on the document.
August 2006
Preliminary meeting to outline sector issues, identify key stakeholder organizations for possible participation, and prepare for the first full meeting. Participants agreed to draft a white paper outlining hazards, gaps and research needs. Topics planned for inclusion are: Sector Overview, Sector Demographics, Burden of Injury and Illness, Health and Safety Issues (Ergonomic issues and MSDs, Slips/trips/falls, Sharps and bloodborne pathogens, Pathogens transmitted by droplet/contact, Airborne pathogens, Hazardous drugs, Chemical and other hazardous exposures, Organization of work, Stress, Violence, Healthcare emergencies [natural disasters, terrorist attacks, pandemics], and Links between occupational health and environmental issues), Workforce Issues (Health and safety culture; Nursing shortage, retention and burnout; and Special Populations), Healthy Healthcare through Design, Research Gaps and Needs, and Recommendations.
