ABSTRACT
Hospital cleaning work, as health care work, is mainly performed by women all over Europe. Hospital cleaning activities represent a poorly studied sector although very important also for patient's health. We applied the Method of Organizational Congruencies to study cleaning work in three typical hospital units (Emergency Room, Haematology, General Medicine) of a roman University hospital where 198 women cleaners work. We analyzed the 731 technical actions performed in the three shifts and the related Organizational Constraints (OC). Working outsourcing, no occupational risks training, washing personal equipment at home, standing, long walking, early morning and night shift in emergency room, high monotony (>10 actions per hour) contact with biological and chemicals materials, risk conditions of accidents, artificial lights, hot microclimate and working in a cure setting represent the main Organizational Constraints. Differences among the three Units are discussed together with the importance of considering cleaning hospital as a preventive action towards hospital clinical risk.
Subject(s)
Housekeeping, Hospital , Occupational Health , Task Performance and Analysis , Female , Housekeeping, Hospital/organization & administration , Humans , Occupational Health/education , Outsourced Services , Risk Factors , WorkplaceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Laws D.Lgs. 626/94 and D.I. 388/03 attach particular importance to the organization of first aid in the workplace. Like every other enterprise, also hospitals and health care facilities have the obligation, as foreseen by the relevant legislation, to organize and manage first aid in the workplace. OBJECTIVES: To discuss the topic in the light of the guidelines contained in the literature. METHODS: We used the references contained in the relevant literature and in the regulations concerning organization of first aid in health care facilities. RESULTS: The regulations require the general manager of health care facilities to organize the primary intervention in case of emergencies in all health care facilities (health care or administrative, territorial and hospitals). CONCLUSIONS: In health care facilities the particular occupational risks, the general access of the public and the presence of patients who are already assumed to have altered states of health, should be the reason for particular care in guaranteeing the best possible management of a health emergency in the shortest time possible.
Subject(s)
First Aid , Health Facility Administration , Occupational Health , Health Facilities/legislation & jurisprudence , ItalyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Psychological violence in the workplaces is increasing and the Italian national health service and trade unions are mostly involved in single cases of diagnosis strategy. OBJECTIVES: To analyse published mobbing cases using a mobbing prevention approach that takes account of the main civil rights violation in mobbing actions. METHODS: 25 cases were analysed in order to identify the type of mobbing, gender, the professional position and the main civil rights that were violated. RESULTS: Seven main civil rights had been violated in the 25 mobbing cases: health, work, professional skills, equal treatment, legality, diversity, dignity. Men working in unhealthy conditions, mostly due to unhealthy working environments, were forced to leave under the pressure of moral violence. In women, equal treatment and diversity were the main rights that were violated. Co-worker support was absent in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: A civil rights assessment to prevent mobbing is considered. Italian legislation, particularly the Civil Code, can be the legislation key for prevention, with the employer responsible for providing a violence-free environment as indicated in European Directive 626/94.