National Nurses United

2016 Health and Safety Brochure

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Health and Safety with National Nurses United 26 Many hazards lurk within hospitals. On its "Worker Safety in Hospitals" resource page, OSHA asks: "Did you know that a hospital is one of the most hazardous places to work?" NNU's Health and Safety Division is constantly monitoring potential hazards for our members. We gather information from members and follow injury/illness statistics to understand the risks that nurses are facing, and how to build strong legislative and regulatory protections. Surgical smoke/plumes During laser or electro-surgery, a byproduct is created as tissue is destroyed. This byproduct is called "surgical smoke" or "surgical plume." Surgical plumes contain carbon monoxide, polyar- omatic hydrocarbons, and trace toxic gases, as well as potentially viable cancer cells, viruses, or other infectious diseases. Exposure to surgical plumes can cause respiratory and eye irritation transmission of infectious diseases, and cancer. No standards currently exist to protect operating room nurses and other workers. A variety of devices already exist that involve local exhaust ventilation on or near the surgery tool. This suctions the surgical smoke into a filter before the worker can be exposed to it. NNU is sponsoring legislation in California to establish a regulation to protect workers from surgical smoke. Other Health And Safety Concerns In Hospitals Antineoplastic drugs Also known as "anti-cancer drugs," antineoplastics are used to treat a variety of different conditions, not just cancer. With the corporatization of hospitals, we have seen antineoplastic drug administration decentralized into different units of the hospital or into "drive-by chemo" set-ups. This not only increases the number of workers and patients who might be exposed, it also complicates the use of protections. Exposure to these chemicals can cause harmful health effects on workers, including reproductive effects. Studies have shown that trace amounts of the chemicals are often found in the areas where they are administered. Regulations are being formed in California to protect workers from antineoplastic drug exposure. NNU has submitted comments to strengthen these regula- tions and continues to monitor their progress. Triclosan Many antibacterial handwashing soaps include Triclosan, a synthetic antibacterial agent that is also an endocrine disrupter. A recent study showed that healthcare workers who consistently wash their hands with Triclosan-containing soap have signifi- cantly higher amounts of Triclosan in their bodies than healthcare workers whose hospitals provided plain soap. Additional Health and Safety Issues:

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