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Ergonomic Practices Within Patient Care Units Are Associated With Musculoskeletal Pain And Limitations, Jack Denerlein, Karen Hopcia, Christopher Kenwood, Anne Stoddard, T. Tveito, Dean Hashimoto, Glorian Sorenson

Dean M. Hashimoto

Background

With the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) for patient care unit workers, prevention efforts through ergonomic practices within units may be related to symptoms associated with typical work-related MSDs.

Methods

We completed a cross-sectional survey of patient care workers (n = 1,572) in two large academic hospitals in order to evaluate relationships between self-reported musculoskeletal pain, work interference due to this pain, and limitations during activities of daily living (functional limitations) and with ergonomic practices and other organizational policy and practices metrics within the unit. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses tested the significance of these associations.

Results …

William B. Patterson Memorial Lecture: As Health Care Reform Evolves, What Is Our Role?, Dean Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

Honorary lecture awarded in recognition of national expertise in occupational health

Chronic Pain Treatment: Massachusetts As A Case Study, Dean Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

A lecture given as part of a session entitled Dealing with Chronic Pain Under the New Guidelines.

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 …

Putting Guidelines Into Practice: The Case Of Partners Healthcare, Dean Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

A lecture given at the Harvard School of Public Health on the role of health promotion and wellness programs in workplaces.

Massachusetts Chronic Pain Guideline, Dean Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

A presentation on the new clinical pain treatment guideline in workers' compensation.

Clinical Management Of Chronic Pain And Narcotics, Dean Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

A lecture given at a conference on absence management in workplaces.

Chronic Pain Guidelines In Workers' Compensation, Dean Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

A lecture given on new chronic pain clinical guidelines in workers' compensation at the Workers' Compensation National Conference.

The Role Of Employer-Based Health Insurance In Health Care Reform, Dean Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

A BC Law Brown Bag presentation on employer health insurance.

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 …

Issues Of Chronic Pain Treatment And Narcotics: What Is The Massachusetts' Experience?, Dean Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

No abstract provided.

Employment Law Issues And Biological Exposures, Dean Hashimoto

Dean M. Hashimoto

A lecture given on employment law issues related to biological laboratory exposures at the 3rd annual occupational health colloquium Preventing and Treating Biological Exposures.

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 = …