Medical Jurisprudence Commons^™

Association Between Work-Family Conflict And Musculoskeletal Pain Among Hospital Patient Care Workers, Seung-Sup Kim, Cassandra Okechukwu, Orfeu Buxton, Jack Dennerlein, Leslie Boden, Dean Hashimoto, Glorian Sorenson

Dean M. Hashimoto

Background

A growing body of evidence suggests that work–family conflict is an important risk factor for workers' health and well-being. The goal of this study is to examine association between work–family conflict and musculoskeletal pain among hospital patient care workers.

Methods

We analyzed a cross-sectional survey of 1,119 hospital patient care workers in 105 units in two urban, academic hospitals. Work–family conflict was measured by 5-item Work–Family Conflict Scale questionnaire. Multilevel logistic regression was applied to examine associations between work–family conflict and self-reported musculoskeletal pain in the past 3 months, adjusting for covariates including work-related psychosocial factors and physical work …

Barriers To Use Of Workers' Compensation For Patient Care At Massachusetts Community Health Centers, Lenore Azaroff, Letitia Davis, Robert Naparstek, Dean Hashimoto, James Laing, David Wegman

Dean M. Hashimoto

Objectives

To examine barriers community health centers (CHCs) face in using workers' compensation insurance (WC). Data Sources/Study Setting

Leadership of CHCs in Massachusetts. Study Design

We used purposeful snowball sampling of CHC leaders for in-depth exploration of reimbursement policies and practices, experiences with WC, and decisions about using WC. We quantified the prevalence of perceived barriers to using WC through a mail survey of all CHCs in Massachusetts. Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Emergent coding was used to elaborate themes and processes related to use of WC. Numbers and percentages of survey responses were calculated. Principal Findings

Few CHCs formally discourage use …

Longer-Term Use Of Opioids, Dongchung Wang, Dean Hashimoto, Kathryn Mueller

Dean M. Hashimoto

With opioid misuse a top public health problem in the United States, this study examined longer-term use of narcotics in 21 states and how often recommended treatment guidelines for monitoring injured workers with longer-term use were followed by physicians. The information provided will help public officials identify means to strengthen the design or implementation of public policies related to narcotic use, and help payors target efforts to better manage the use of narcotics while providing appropriate care to injured workers and reducing unnecessary risks to patients and unnecessary costs to employers. The study is based on nearly 300,000 workers' compensation …

Occupational Injuries For Consecutive And Cumulative Shifts Among Hospital Registered Nurses And Patient Care Asscoiates: A Case-Control Study, Karen Hopcia, Jack Dennerlein, Dean Hashimoto, Terry Orechia, Glorian Sorensen

Dean M. Hashimoto

Nontraditional work shifts for hospital registered nurses and patient care associates and associated injuries were examined through a case-control study. Inpatient care requires that many staff work nontraditional shifts, including nights and 12-hour shifts, but some characteristics remain unexplored, especially consecutive shifts. A total of 502 cases (injured workers) were matched to single controls based on their hospital, unit type, job type, gender, and age (± 5 years). Conditional logistic regression was used for the analysis, controlling for weekly hours scheduled. For both, consecutive shifts of 2 or more days and some various cumulative shifts over a week and month …

Relationship Of Sleep Deficiency To Perceived Pain And Functional Limitations In Hospital Patient Care Workers, Orfeu Buxton, Karen Hopcia, Grace Sembajwe, James Porter, Jack Dennerlein, Christopher Kenwood, Anne Stoddard, Dean Hashimoto, Glorian Sorensen

Dean M. Hashimoto

Objective: Health care workers are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms and pain. This study tested the hypothesis that sleep deficiency is associated with pain, functional limitations, and physical limitations that interfere with work. Methods: Hospital patient care workers completed a survey (79% response rate) including measures of health, sociodemographic, and workplace factors. Associations of sleep deficiency with pain, work interference due to this pain, and functional limitations were determined. Results: Of 1572 respondents (90% women; mean age, 41 years), 57% reported sleep deficiency, 73% pain in last 3 months, 33% work interference, and 18% functional limitation. Sleep deficiency …

Musculoskeletal Pain And Psychological Distress In Hospital Patient Care Workers, Sijn Reme, Jack Dennerlein, Dean Hashimoto, Glorian Sorenson

Dean M. Hashimoto

Purpose

The aim of the study was to assess the association of psychological distress and musculoskeletal pain, how it is related to pain interference with work and multiple pain areas, and potential differences between the different pain areas in hospital patient care workers.

Methods

Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of patient care workers (n = 1,572) from two large hospitals.

Results

Patient care workers with musculoskeletal pain reported significantly more psychological distress than those without pain. Psychological distress was significantly related to pain interference with work, even after adjusting for pain and demographics (OR = 1.05; CI = …

Occupational Injuries Among Nurses And Aides In A Hospital Setting, Leslie Boden, Grace Sembajwe, Torill Tveito, Dean Hashimoto, Karen Hopcia, Christopher Kenwood, Anne Stoddard, Glorian Sorenson

Dean M. Hashimoto

Background

Patient care workers in acute care hospitals are at high risk of injury. Recent studies have quantified risks and demonstrated a higher risk for aides than for nurses. However, no detailed studies to date have used OSHA injury definitions to allow for better comparability across studies.

Methods

We linked records from human resources and occupational health services databases at two large academic hospitals for nurses (n = 5,991) and aides (n = 1,543) in patient care units. Crude rates, rate ratios, and confidence intervals were calculated for injuries involving no days away and those involving at least 1 day …

The Role Of The Work Context In Multiple Wellness Outcomes For Hospital Patient Care Workers, Dean Hashimoto, Glorian Sorensen, Anne Stoddard, Sonia Stoffel, Orfeu Buxton, Grace Sembajwe, Jack Dennerlien, Karen Hopcia

Dean M. Hashimoto

Objective: To examine the relationships among low back pain (LBP), inadequate physical activity, and sleep deficiency among patient care workers, and of these outcomes to work context.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of patient care workers (N = 1572, response rate = 79%).

Results: A total of 53% reported LBP, 46%, inadequate physical activity, and 59%, sleep deficiency. Inadequate physical activity and sleep deficiency were associated (P = 0.02), but LBP was not significantly related to either. Increased risk of LBP was significantly related to job demands, harassment at work, decreased supervisor support, and job title. Inadequate physical activity was significantly …

Interstate Variation In Use Of Narcotics, Dean M. Hashimoto, Dongchun Wang, Kathryn Mueller

Dean M. Hashimoto

No abstract provided.

Workers' Compensation Reform: 180 Days In Massachusetts, Dean Hashimoto, Jane Freedman, James Campbell, Donna Ward

Dean M. Hashimoto

No abstract provided.

The Prevalence Of Pulmonary And Upper Respiratory Tract Symptoms And Spirometric Test Findings Among Newspaper Pressroom Workers Exposed To Solvents, Dean M. Hashimoto, Burton W. Lee, Karl T. Kelsey, Barbara Yakes, Teresa Seitz, David Christiani

Dean M. Hashimoto

To investigate the relationship between exposure to organic solvents and the presence of pulmonary and upper respiratory tract mucous membrane symptoms, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 215 newspaper pressroom workers who were occupationally exposed to organic solvent and lubricant mixtures. Thirty-four compositors, who were not occupationally exposed to the solvents or lubricants, served as controls. Pressroom workers and compositors underwent spirometric testing and were also asked about the presence of cough, phlegm, hemoptysis, dyspnea, wheezing, chest tightness, nose or throat irritation, eye irritation, and sinus trouble. The spirometric results did not significantly differ between the two groups. However, the …

Defining The Role Of Managed Care In Workers' Compensation, Dean Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

No abstract provided.

The Future Role Of Managed Care And Capitation In Workers' Compensation, Dean M. Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

No abstract provided.

Should Asbestos In Buildings Be Regulated On An Environmental Or Occupational Basis?, Dean M. Hashimoto, Troyen A. Brennan, David C. Christiani

Dean M. Hashimoto

The issue of asbestos abatement in buildings may be viewed as part of a larger and more fundamental scientific and social issue: Should asbestos in buildings be regulated on an environmental or an occupational basis? The environmental approach to regulation of hazardous substances has a different emphasis from that of an occupational approach. The environmental approach emphasizes abatement of property damage, while the occupational approach is more concerned with decreased exposure levels and compensation for injuries to health. Similarly, the justifications for the two approaches also have a different emphasis. The need for environmental protection is justified on the basis …

Professor Katz's Study Of Human Relationships, Dean M. Hashimoto, Mark E. Haddad

Dean M. Hashimoto

No abstract provided.

A Structural Analysis Of The Physician-Patient Relationship In No-Code Decision-Making, Dean M. Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

No abstract provided.