Archivos de prevencion de riesgos laborales最新文献

Objective: To facilitate the identification of especially sensitive workers (ESWs) to occupational risks and the prioritization of initial and periodic health examinations for workers in healthcare facilities.

Method: A cross-sectional study conducted on healthcare professionals from eleven primary care teams and one hospital center of the Gerència de Terres de l'Ebre of the Institut Català de la Salut. A labor health questionnaire was used, which included variables defining the vulnerabilities of especially sensitive workers (ESWs), along with basic blood test and serologies adapted to the risks of the healthcare environment. In the first phase, this methodology was applied to newly hired workers during the pandemic period (2020-2022), and in the second phase, it was expanded to include all ESWs registered from 2013 to 2023.

Results: Ten ESWs were identified in the first phase and 598 ESWs in the second phase. The most frequent associated vulnerability group was pregnancy/breastfeeding (n=271; 45.3%), followed by musculoskeletal (n=145; 24.3%), allergies (n=55; 9.2%), mental health (n=38; 6.4%), immunological (n=33; 5.5%), other vulnerabilities (n=32; 5.4%), and sensory disabilities (n=24; 4.0%). In both phases of our study, 100% of the defining variables for ESWs could be identified using this method.

Conclusions: The implementation of a labor health questionnaire, complemented with blood test and serologies, is a useful tool for facilitating the initial identification of ESWs, prioritizing health examinations for newly hired ESWs, and improving occupational monitoring for the remaining workers.

Interview with Rita Louzán.

Correspondencia · Corresponding Author Carolina Climent Sanz E-mail: carol.climent@udl.cat Abstract Purpose: Fibromyalgia symptoms can significantly limit a person's ability to function and participate in daily activities, such as work. Exploring patients' perceptions of the impact of fibromyalgia symptoms on functionality can provide valuable insight into their coping strategies and needs to remain active. This study aims to describe the strategies and adaptations women with fibromyalgia use to carry out basic, instrumental, and advanced activities of daily living. Methods: Qualitative study based on personal interviews with 25 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. A thematic analysis was conducted following the classification of activities of daily living into basic (movement and moving around, personal hygiene and getting dressed), instrumental (cleaning, housekeeping, and shopping), and advanced (work).  Results: Due to the functional impact of symptoms in all activities of daily living, women with fibromyalgia introduced different compensatory strategies, support products, and modifications in the environment or task to increase their level of occupational competence. Introducing adaptations in the public space is a challenge, and work is a source of distress, either because it has disappeared or because of the effort to carry it out satisfactorily. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals caring for women with fibromyalgia should recognize the impact of fibromyalgia on patients' functionality and employ strategies to improve their adaptation, as well as facilitate the assessment of sick leave.

Introducción: Las consecuencias de los errores en medicina se extienden más allá del paciente afectado, impactando también en los profesionales involucrados y las instituciones donde se producen. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los incidentes relacionados con la seguridad del paciente en médicos internos residentes (MIR), las repercusiones sobre su salud como segundas víctimas, el apoyo recibido, y posibles factores asociados. Método: Estudio transversal mediante una encuesta en línea distribuida en enero de 2023 a todos los MIR de dos hospitales de Zaragoza, a través de sus comisiones de docencia. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo e inferencial mediante pruebas paramétricas y no paramétricas. Resultados: Los 43 (10,2%) residentes que participaron presentaron al menos un incidente relacionado con la seguridad del paciente. Un 9,3% presentó más de un evento adverso, siendo superior en residentes de últimos años (p=0,01). Los síntomas y manifestaciones más frecuentes como segunda víctima fueron ansiedad, dudas ante decisiones clínicas, hipervigilancia, cansancio y culpa. La probabilidad percibida de recibir apoyo tras un error clínico fue superior en los MIR de especialidades médicas que de las quirúrgicas (p=0,002), y un 20,9% constató no haber recibido ningún apoyo tras un error clínico. Conclusiones: Los errores clínicos son una preocupación para los médicos en formación y requieren acciones en varios niveles. Esto implica mejorar la formación en seguridad del paciente y gestión de errores, así como establecer planes de apoyo entre pares y especializado para los profesionales involucrados, donde los servicios de Salud Laboral deben tener un papel relevante.

Based on Portuguese case law, this study examined the characterisation and mischaracterisation of occupational injuries in the Portuguese court system. A content analysis was carried out, namely on how the Portuguese courts understand the characterisation and mischaracterisation (requirements) of occupational injury sentences. Case law was collected and analysed from listed decisions by the higher courts (Supreme Court of Justice and the Portuguese Courts of Appeal), between 2011 and 2021. A total of 330 judicial decisions were identified and analysed; groups of descriptors were categorised and sub-themes were identified. The sub-theme 'concept and scope of the injury' was identified in 80 decisions and 'mischaracterisation of injuries' in 46 decisions. This analysis reflects the Portuguese courts' understanding of the extent to which occupational injuries are characterised, which will be important to safeguard the system of compensation for occupational injuries in Portugal.

Introduction: Population aging leads to chronic diseases and dependency on daily activities, making caregivers essential. The aim was to explore the perceptions and concerns of these workers.

Method: In 2023, a qualitative study that included ten individual and semi-structured interviews with caregivers was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The obtained material was subjected to thematic content analysis, and through triangulation, the text was coded by emerging dimensions.

Results: Women predominated (90%), middle-aged (52 years), with low education and training through experience. Five major topics emerged: (a) responsibilities and functions; (b) working conditions; (c) emotions and bonding issues; (d) communication problems; and (e) vision and experience of the health system. Work tasks included emotional support, communication with the team (doctor and family), and delegation of household tasks. Communication problems were highlighted due to technical language, lack of time, and recognition of their role. The lack of continuity in post-discharge follow-up was a systematic problem, although they positively valued the information in the epicrisis. Work difficulties included long hours, episodes of violence (physical, verbal, psychological, or emotional), low salaries, and informal hiring methods (without rights that protect rest or health). Despite this, they expressed dedication and empathy toward patients.

Conclusions: This study's results provide valuable information for improving the working conditions and safety of healthcare workers, highlighting the need to improve both their work environment and their social recognition.

Chemical risk assessment is crucial for establishing actions that eliminate, reduce, or control the risk of occupational diseases. Traditionally, this assessment is conducted through quantitative hygienic methods, which are often costly for organizations. The COSHH Essentials methodology offers a simple and cost-effective alternative, which was applied in a physics laboratory in Colombia with the aim of evaluating inhalation risks from chemical substances. The specific hazards of a series of chemical agents were reviewed, and the potential exposure analysis was carried out, considering factors such as volatility or dustiness and the amount used, as a preliminary approach to chemical risk assessment. Four risk levels were established, allowing for the definition of actions to maintain exposure at safe levels, preventing the risk of occupational diseases caused by inhalation. This methodology can be applied in other laboratories; its qualitative approach provided a rapid and systematic assessment of potential risk, at a reduced cost.

Objective: Exposure to high temperatures was evaluated with regional climate data provided by the National Meteorological Service, applying occupational exposure parameters.  Methods: The provinces were characterized during 2005-2023 with maximum, average and minimum temperatures, and daily humidity percentages. Days with dangerous temperatures were defined as 28ºC and 90% humidity. And days with tiring temperatures form 25ºC to 28ºC along with humidity greater than 85% and less than 90%.

Results: Seven northwest and northeast provinces are identified as having an increased risk of health effects from dangerous temperatures. The map is expanded by analyzing the tiring temperatures, including six other central provinces with a temperate climate, and recording tiring temperatures during the winter semesters. We identified thirteen regions with greater frequency and intensity of exposure to high temperature and humidity and an increasing trend of dangerous temperatures in the analyzed period. It was found that in many provinces the occupational risk due to high temperatures is not only a summer situation.

Conclusions: Taking into account climate scenarios projected for 2030, there will be a significant increase in the number of days with dangerous temperatures in most provinces, while days with tiring temperatures increase only in some provinces such as Córdoba and Buenos Aires in the template zone. They concentrate the largest proportion of the working population, so and increase in occupational injuries could be expected due to high temperatures.