Recognizing occupational disease and injury.
Authors
Levy-BS; Wegman-DH; Halperin-WE
Source
Occupational health: recognizing and preventing work-related disease and injury, 4th edition. Levy BS, Wegman, DH, eds. Philadelpia PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2000 Jan; :99-122
Abstract
To effectively prevent occupational disease and injury, health care providers must know how to recognize work-related conditions, not only in workers who present with symptoms but also in those who are presymptomatic and in those for whom individual and group health information is available. A systematic approach facilitates consideration of all aspects of prevention in reducing or eliminating occupational hazards. This chapter is organized to highlight the three levels of recognition that serve the three levels of prevention. Primary prevention is designed to deter or avoid the occurrence of disease or injury. Secondary prevention is designed to identify and adequately treat a disease or injury process as soon as possible. Tertiary prevention is designed to treat a disorder when it has advanced beyond its early stages so as to avoid complications and limit disability, or, if the condition is too advanced, to address rehabilitative and palliative needs. The correct diagnosis and approach to treatment of a worker with an occupational illness or injury is essential to maximize opportunities for tertiary prevention and can also promote primary and secondary prevention. The selection and use of screening and monitoring tests that are appropriate to identify workplace risks promotes secondary prevention. A carefully designed occupational surveillance program, using both case- and rate-based approaches, promotes primary prevention.
Keywords
Occupational-diseases; Injuries; Occupational-hazards; Injury-prevention; Health-care-personnel; Monitoring-systems; Surveillance-programs
Editors
Levy-BS; Wegman-DH
Source Name
Occupational health: recognizing and preventing work-related disease and injury, 4th edition
