The Epidemiology of Needlestick and Sharp Injuries Among Healthcare Workers in a Secondary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction Needlestick and sharp injuries (NSI) continue to pose a significant risk for healthcare workers (HCWs) at their workplace. The incidence rate of NSI in hospitals depends on multiple risk factors. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of NSI among HCWs and the risk factors influencing NSI rates and to provide further direction for NSI prevention in secondary care hospitals. Methods This study included all the NSI cases reported by HCWs in King Abdul Aziz Hospital, Makkah from 2005 to 2017. All the cases were recorded in the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet™) database (International Healthcare Worker Safety Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA). The study was executed by using data loaded in the EPINet™ Program, the hospital electronic recording system Medica Plus, and analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program (SPSS Inc. Released 2007. SPSS for Windows, Version 15.0. Chicago, SPSS Inc.). Results During the period of study, 524 NSI cases were reported. The mean incidence rate per 100 occupied beds with 95% CI was 25.43 (22.05-28.81) and a statistically insignificant decline in NSI incidence rate was observed from 2005 to 2017. The maximal annual incidence rate (35.63 per 100 occupied beds) was registered in 2010 and the minimal value (14.84 per 100 occupied beds) in 2013. Injuries were mainly reported in patient rooms/wards (30.2%) and most frequently by nurses (56.1%). The mean of incident reporting within 24 hours was 74.0, 95% CI (67.19-80.73). This rate showed a statistically significant (p=0.01) increasing trend of 5.0% per annum. The mean of identified source patients - 83.5, 95% CI (79.13- 87.23) - possessed an annual 2.1% rise during 2005-2017 which was statistically insignificant (p=0.7). Cases occurred after the use/before disposal of items in 45.0% of cases and during the use of items in 44.7%. Hollow-bore needles caused injuries in 46.5% of incidents. Blood sample taking - 23.2% and IV or arterial line insertion/removal/manipulation (19.1%) - presented exposure-prone procedures posing the highest risk. Conclusions The results of this study revealed a high rate of NSI in the hospital. NSI rate in hospitals was impacted by a group of related risk factors, particularly, the location of risk (patient room/ward, intensive care unit (ICU), and emergency room (ER) depending on job intensity, the kind and frequency of exposure-prone procedures (blood sample taking, IV or arterial line insertion/removal/manipulation) and handling of hollow-bore and solid needle connected to the main healthcare professional group at risk (nurses). Future direction in NSI prevention requires a complex approach of continuous staff education along with the usage of devices with safety features.

A systematic review of workplace triggers of emotions in the healthcare environment, the emotions experienced, and the impact on patient safety.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare staff deliver patient care in emotionally charged settings and experience a wide range of emotions as part of their work. These emotions and emotional contexts can impact the quality and safety of care. Despite the growing acknowledgement of the important role of emotion, we know very little about what triggers emotion within healthcare environments or the impact this has on patient safety. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review studies to explore the workplace triggers of emotions within the healthcare environment, the emotions experienced in response to these triggers, and the impact of triggers and emotions on patient safety. METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, four electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Scopus, and CINAHL) to identify relevant literature. Studies were then selected and data synthesized in two stages. A quality assessment of the included studies at stage 2 was undertaken. RESULTS: In stage 1, 90 studies were included from which seven categories of triggers of emotions in the healthcare work environment were identified, namely: patient and family factors, patient safety events and their repercussions, workplace toxicity, traumatic events, work overload, team working and lack of supervisory support. Specific emotions experienced in response to these triggers (e.g., frustration, guilt, anxiety) were then categorised into four types: immediate, feeling states, reflective, and longer-term emotional sequelae. In stage 2, 13 studies that explored the impact of triggers or emotions on patient safety processes/outcomes were included. CONCLUSION: The various triggers of emotion and the types of emotion experienced that have been identified in this review can be used as a framework for further work examining the role of emotion in patient safety. The findings from this review suggest that certain types of emotions (including fear, anger, and guilt) were more frequently experienced in response to particular categories of triggers and that healthcare staff's experiences of negative emotions can have negative effects on patient care, and ultimately, patient safety. This provides a basis for developing and tailoring strategies, interventions, and support mechanisms for dealing with and regulating emotions in the healthcare work environment.

Transformações no mundo do trabalho em saúde: os(as) trabalhadores(as) e desafios futuros / Transformations in the world of healthcare work: workers and future challenges

Resumo O artigo versa sobre o mundo do trabalho da saúde, especialmente no SUS no contexto da pandemia no Brasil. O artigo utilizou dados das pesquisas "Condições de trabalho dos profissionais de saúde no contexto da COVID-19 no Brasil" e "Os trabalhadores invisíveis da saúde: condições de trabalho e saúde mental no contexto da COVID-19 no Brasil". A análise dos dados comprova que a pandemia evidenciou problemas estruturais existentes no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde, envolvendo a gestão da FTS o que pode ser interpretado como mais um dos reflexos das desigualdades socioeconômicas já existentes no país. Destacam-se: a reduzida oferta de educação permanente, a regulação do cuidado híbrido, precarização, desproteção no ambiente de trabalho, frágil biossegurança levando a trágicas taxas de adoecimento e mortes de trabalhadores da saúde. Conclui mostrando a importância de formulação de políticas públicas no âmbito da gestão da educação e do trabalho no SUS que assegurem a discussão sobre cuidado híbrido como nova forma de atuar sem perder qualidade, a necessidade de se rever questões referentes a: educação permanente, proteção, valorização e redução das desigualdades apontadas entre os contingentes profissionais analisados nesse artigo.

Abstract This article addresses the world of healthcare work, especially in the Brazilian Unified Healthcare System (SUS) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This study used data from the following surveys: "Working conditions of health professionals in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil" and "The Invisible health workers: working conditions and mental health in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil". Data analysis proves that the pandemic highlighted existing structural problems within SUS, involving the issue of healthcare workforce (HWF) management, which can be interpreted as another reflection of the socioeconomic inequalities that already exist in the country. This article highlights: the reduced provision of permanent education, the regulation of hybrid care, precariousness, a lack of protection in the work environment, as well as fragile biosecurity leading to tragic rates of illness and death of health workers. Our study concludes by showing the importance of formulating public policies in the scope of education and work management in SUS that ensure the discussion on hybrid care as a new way of acting without losing quality, together with the need to review issues related to permanent education, protection, valuation, and reduction of inequalities pointed out among the professional contingents analyzed in this article.

Becoming active in the micro-politics of healthcare re-organisation: The identity work and political activation of doctors, nurses and managers.

The changing organisation and governance of healthcare work represents a persistent focus of micro-politics. Whilst there is a developed literature describing the micro-political struggles that occur amongst healthcare occupations, there is little understanding about how, when and why actors become politically aware and active. Framed by research on political activation and the concept of identity work, this paper reports on a narrative interview study with 65 people, specifically doctors, nurses and managers, working in the English healthcare system. The narratives show that healthcare workers become increasingly aware of and engaged in micro-political activities through incremental stages based on their accumulating experiences. These stages are opportunities for identity work as actors make sense of their experiences of micro-politics, their occupational affiliations and their evolving sense of self. This identity work is shaped by actors' changing views about the morality of playing politics, the emotional implications of their engagement, and their deepening political commitments. The study shows that political socialisation and activation can vary between occupations and rather than assuming political affiliations are given or acquired the papers highlights the reflective agency of healthcare actors.

Vietnam's Evolving Healthcare System: Notable Successes and Significant Challenges.

From regional and rural grassroots to a nationwide level, Vietnam has established a four-tiered hierarchical healthcare system, comprising national, provincial, district, and commune healthcare centers. Over the last three decades, alongside increasing provision of universal health insurance coverage and cutting healthcare expenditure, the country has demonstrated its dedication to preventative medicine and health promotion. Recent investment in research, development, and production has led to "homegrown" vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 now undergoing clinical trial. Nevertheless, despite substantial progress in improving health outcomes for the entire population, the healthcare sector experiences significant challenges. The current public system is paper-based, requires digitalization, and lacks information technology support. In common with many other countries, there is a vast disparity in the distribution of healthcare professionals between cities and rural areas, as well as between private and public sectors. Consequently, public healthcare in remote locations is particularly underserved. Moreover, ongoing underfunding caused by high out-of-pocket expenses for the average salary, as well as stigmatization of sensitive health issues by a largely conservative populace, demand a well-articulated and culturally sensitive approach. As the level of smartphone ownership and internet coverage are both comparatively high for Southeast Asia, the introduction of telemedicine, mobile health applications, and other digital health solutions may be both practicable and beneficial. Importantly, in order to develop healthcare facilities and reduce patient direct payments, the key issue of funding must be addressed. In order to overcome disease-related stigma, a locally tailored program of community education, awareness, and engagement is required. In summary, in several ways, Vietnam provides a role model for developing healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. There are undoubted hurdles to overcome, but the country continues to construct a healthcare system that is accessible and affordable for the majority.

Multiempleo en salud en provincia de Buenos Aires: estudio transversal de profesiones afectadas al cuidado de pacientes con COVID-19 / Multi-employment in health in the province of Buenos Aires: cross-sectional study of professions involved in COVID-19 patient care

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN La pandemia de COVID-19 expuso el impacto del multiempleo en los servicios de salud. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar el multiempleo en médicos y enfermeros que trabajaron en internación general y cuidados críticos durante la pandemia en la provincia de Buenos Aires. MÉTODOS Se realizó un estudio exploratorio, descriptivo y transversal. Los datos se recolectaron en el primer trimestre de 2021 con una encuesta estructurada anónima autoadministrada mediante muestreo no probabilístico en cadena. RESULTADOS El 96,3% de los médicos y el 68,1% de los enfermeros declararon estar multiempleados. La media de empleos fue 3,1 para médicos (entre 1 y 5) y 1,9 para enfermeros (entre 1 y 3). Los enfermeros declararon trabajos con mayor carga horaria, predominio del empleo público y contratación estable. Los médicos multiempleados manifestaron mayor diversidad en la forma de contratación. En ambas profesiones el multiempleo es motivado principalmente por razones de índole económica. DISCUSIÓN El multiempleo es difícil de medir mediante los registros oficiales. La proporción de multiempleo autorreportado en este estudio supera las cifras comunicadas por las estadísticas e informes oficiales. Aun así, las diferencias halladas entre médicos y enfermeros respecto al número de empleos son coincidentes con estudios previos. El problema del multiempleo requiere ser abordado desde la desprecarización del empleo, con mejoras en las condiciones económicas y de trabajo.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the impact of multi-employment in health services. The objective of this study was to characterize multi-employment among physicians and nurses working in general hospitalization and critical care during the pandemic in the province of Buenos Aires. METHODS An exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected in the first quarter of 2021 with a structured anonymous self-administered survey using non-probabilistic chain sampling. RESULTS A total of 96.3% of physicians and 68.1% of nurses reported being multi-employed. The mean number of jobs was 3.1 for physicians (between 1 and 5) and 1.9 for nurses (between 1 and 3). Nurses reported having jobs with longer hours, mostly public and stable employment. Multi-employed physicians reported greater variety in the form of hiring. In both professions, multi-employment is mainly motivated by economic reasons. DISCUSSION Multi-employment is difficult to measure through official records. The proportion of self-reported multiemployment in this study exceeds the figures shown by official statistics and reports. The differences found between physicians and nurses regarding the number of jobs are still consistent with previous studies. The problem of multi-employment needs to be tackled by making employment less precarious, with improvements in economic and working conditions.

Expanding the functions of dental assistants in Bulgaria and perceptions about their role in the Bulgarian healhcare workforce.

AIM: The study queries a sample of dentists and dental assistants in Bulgaria about their understanding and perceptions of Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDA). The study considers whether expanding the skillset of dental assistants to function in specific scenarios without personal supervision by the dentist may be a viable strategy to address various oral health inequities in the country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous survey was conducted among 103 practicing dentists and 100 dental assistants throughout the country. The questionnaire consisted of 20 questions that probed respondents' understanding about the duties performed by EFDAs and their potential to increase productivity and efficiency of the dental workforce. Sociological (poll) and statistical (alternative analysis) methods were used in the survey. RESULTS: The majority of respondents were female. Most worked in the larger cities. One worked in a village. Most were ethnic Bulgarians and none were Roma, reflecting the racial imbalance in the national workforce. Two-thirds (67%) believed that dental assistants with appropriate training are capable of doing expanded dental procedures without personal supervision by a dentist. The majority (83.7%) believed that EFDAs could improve efficiency of a dental practice, while 58.1% indicated that with appropriate training, they could perform expanded duties as well as the dentist. However, only one third believed that EFDAs could increase practice output (38.9%); enhance the quality of the dentist's work (37.4%); or decrease patient anxiety (31.5%). Though most respondents (78.3%) believed that a patient would not be receptive to an EFDA placing a restoration without personal supervision by the dentist, two thirds of respondents (66.5%) would like to see dental assistants trained to perform expanded duties otherwise reserved for dentists. Most respondents felt that EFDAs could help to build a well-functioning dental team. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents believed that EFDAs can benefit the efficiency of a practice, suggesting that Bulgarian dental professionals would respond favorably to enhancing the skillset of assistants with expanded functions. The study suggests they are skeptical about "general" versus "personal" supervision. EFDAs may potentially provide improved access by underserved communities, while building a more inclusive oral healthcare workforce reflective of the population.

'Today Was Probably One of the Most Challenging Workdays I've Ever Had': Doing Remote Qualitative Research with Hospital Doctors During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In this article we outline how a team of qualitative researchers responded to the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, describing how we successfully and speedily adopted remote/digital methods to research the experiences of hospital doctors. In 2020, we used Zoom to conduct qualitative interviews with 48 hospital doctors; in 2021, we used Zoom and WhatsApp to conduct a Mobile Instant Messaging Ethnography with 28 hospital doctors. We explain how we adapted to a virtual setting and provide clear insights (case study vignettes) into the additional demands on researchers and respondents, in particular, the impact on the research team. Finally, we analyse the positive and negatives of using remote qualitative methods and highlight the potential of hybrid data collection models that combine remote and face-to-face methods. We also highlight our success in communicating findings to a policy audience, important in time-critical situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizing work in local service implementation: an ethnographic study of nurses' contributions and competencies in implementing a municipal acute ward.

BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of chronic diseases and an ageing population challenge healthcare delivery, particularly hospital-based care. To address this issue, health policy aims to decentralize healthcare by transferring responsibility and introducing new services in primary healthcare. In-depth knowledge of associated implementation processes is crucial for health care managers, policymakers, and the health care personnel involved. In this article, we apply an ethnographic approach in a study of nurses' contributions to the implementation of a new inpatient service in an outpatient primary care emergency clinic and explore the competencies involved. The approach allowed us to explore the unexpressed yet significant effort, knowledge and competence of nurses that shaped the new service. METHODS: The study combines observations (250 h) and several in situ interviews with healthcare personnel and individual in-depth interviews with nurses (n = 8) at the emergency clinic. In our analysis, we draw on a sociological perspective on healthcare work and organization that considers nursing a practice within the boundaries of clinical patient work, organizational structures, and managerial and professional requirements. RESULTS: We describe the following three aspects of nurses' contributions to the implementation of the new service: (1) anticipating worst-case scenarios and taking responsibility for preventing them, (2) contributing coherence in patient care by ensuring that new and established procedures are interconnected, and (3) engaging in "invisible work". The nurses draw on their own experiences from their work as emergency nurses and knowledge of the local and regional contexts. They utilize their knowledge, competence, and organizing skills to influence the implementation process and ensure high-quality healthcare delivery in the extended service. CONCLUSIONS: Our study illustrates that nurses' contributions are vital to coordinating and adjusting extended services. Organizing work, in addition to clinical work, is a crucial aspect of nursing work. It 'glues' the complex and varied components of the individual patient's services into coherent and holistic care trajectories. It is this organizing competence that nurses utilize when coordinating and adjusting extended services. We believe that nurses' organizing work is generally invaluable in implementing new services, although it has not been well emphasized in practice and research.

"We can't just have a casual conversation": An institutional ethnography-informed study of work in labour and birth.

Labour and delivery units often become contested workplaces with tensions between obstetrics, nursing, and midwifery practices. These tensions can impede communication and raise concerns about provider wellness and patient safety. Remedying such tensions requires inquiry into the drivers of recurrent problems in interprofessional practice. We engaged in change-oriented inquiry informed by institutional ethnography (IE) within an academic hospital in Toronto, Canada (2017-2019). Clinicians identified critical incident analysis reports used to document recurrent issues for transfers of care (TOC) and consultations between professionals. We then mapped the everyday/everynight work of midwives, nurses, and obstetricians by observing (75 h) and interviewing them (n = 15). We also traced work processes to local (forms and hospital policies) and external (national policies and evidence-based guidelines) texts. Our IE-informed analysis made visible the otherwise hidden links between the everyday work of practitioners and its social organization. Three intrapartum work processes involving midwives consulting with obstetricians were identified: induction of labour with TOC back to midwife once labour was "active", consultation without TOC, and TOC for various indications. Three points of disjuncture complicated these processes: (i) a local "3 consult rule", linked to medico-legal governance and remuneration structures; (ii) subjective interpretations of the "4-cm dilation rule", a policy meant to standardize practice; and (iii) regulations delaying the timing of consultations. The Electronic Fetal Monitoring system served as a powerful text, materializing issues of professional scope and autonomy for midwives, and medicolegal accountability for obstetricians. Our study extends extant evidence that medicine-driven governance of midwifery practices can perpetuate interprofessional challenges. While practitioners spoke of the three disjunctures as 'laws', most also viewed them as ostensibly modifiable. Interprofessional tensions may be addressed by considering how social organization, materialized in texts detailing medico-legal liability and remuneration, can constrain possible practices through regulatory protocols, local ruling policies, and cultural expectations (e.g., documentation practices).

Associations of objectively measured total duration and maximum bout length of standing at work with lower-extremity pain intensity: a 2-year follow-up of construction and healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the major reasons for years lived with disability. Approximately one third of the European working population report lower-extremity discomfort and many attribute these discomforts to work-related factors. Employees in the healthcare and construction sectors reports high levels of lower-extremity pain and commonly relate the pain to their profession. These workers spend a large part of their workday standing. Periods of prolonged standing is suggested to increase lower-extremity symptoms, but this cannot be concluded on, since limited evidence is available from longitudinal studies using objective measures. This study aimed to determine possible associations between objectively measured total duration and maximum bout length of static- and dynamic standing at work and lower-extremity pain intensity (LEPi) among Norwegian construction- and healthcare workers. METHODS: One-hundred and twenty-three construction and healthcare workers wore two accelerometers for up to four consecutive days, to establish standing behavior at baseline. The participants reported LEPi (Likert scale 0-9) for the preceding 4 weeks at baseline and after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. We investigated associations between standing at work and average and change in LEPi using linear mixed models with significance level p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Total duration of static- and dynamic standing showed weak associations with average LEPi, for the total sample and for construction workers. Maximum bout of static- and dynamic standing was associated with average LEPi in construction workers, but not in healthcare workers. Furthermore, we found no associations between standing and change in LEPi over the 2-year follow-up in any of our analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicate that objectively measured standing is associated with average LEPi over 2-years follow-up in construction workers, and that maximal bout of standing have a stronger association to LEPi than total duration. For every 10 min added to the maximal length of continuous standing during an average workday, we found approximately one unit increase in pain on a 0-9 scale. The lack of significant findings in analyses on healthcare workers suggest that the association between standing and LEPi depend on work-tasks, gender and/or other sector-specific factors.

Narrativas do cuidado a crianças em um nasf: a estratégia rodinha de conversa / Narrativas de cuidado para niños en un nasf: la estrategia rueda de conversación / Narratives of care for children in a nasf: the conversation wheel strategy

Resumo Em um território permeado por situações de vulnerabilidade social, as demandas de saúde mental dos adultos carregam desafios em relação às infâncias vividas nas famílias, convocando um Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família (NASF) em um município da Baixada Santista a se debruçar sobre isto. Esse trabalho refere-se a uma pesquisa-intervenção realizada a partir da atuação de uma psicóloga nesse NASF para acolher as demandas de saúde mental infantil, sendo desenvolvida uma estratégia denominada Rodinha de Conversa. Como recurso metodológico foram utilizados diários de campo e construídas narrativas como forma de dar visibilidade a histórias vividas, ao território e à estratégia de trabalho desenvolvida. As Rodinhas de Conversa serviram como analisadoras do funcionamento da rede de serviços e dos fluxos nos trabalhos da atenção básica, e romperam uma lógica diagnóstica de triagem.

Resumen En un territorio impregnado por situaciones de vulnerabilidad social, las exigencias de salud mental de los adultos conllevan desafíos en relación a las infancias vividas con sus familias, llamando a un Centro de Apoyo a la Salud de la Familia (NASF) en un municipio de la Baixada Santista para atender este tema. Este trabajo hace referencia a una investigación-intervención realizada desde el trabajo de una psicóloga en este NASF para atender las demandas de la salud mental infantil, en la que fue desarrollada una estrategia denominada Rueda de Conversación. Como recurso metodológico, se utilizaron diarios de campo y se construyeron narrativas como una forma de dar visibilidad a las historias vividas, el territorio y la estrategia de trabajo desarrollada. Las Ruedas de Conversación sirvieron como analizadores del funcionamiento de la red de servicios y los flujos en los trabajos de atención primaria, y rompieron una lógica diagnóstica de clasificación.

Abstract In a territory permeated by situations of social vulnerability, the mental health demands of adults carry challenges in relation to the childhoods lived in their families, calling a Family Health Support Center (NASF) in a municipality in Baixada Santista to address this issue. This paper refers to a research-intervention carried out from the role of a psychologist in this NASF to meet the demands of child mental health, with a strategy called Wheel of Conversation being developed. As a methodological resource, field diaries were used and narratives were constructed as a way of giving visibility to the stories, the territory and the work strategy developed. The Wheels of Conversation served as analyzers of the functioning of the service network and the flows in primary care work and broke a diagnostic triage logic.

Integrated care pathway for rectal cancer treatment: cross-sectional post-implementation study using a logic model framework

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Management of rectal cancer has become more complex with multimodality therapy (neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery) and this has led to the need to organize multidisciplinary teams. The aim of this study was to report on the planning, implementation and evaluation of an integrated care pathway for neoadjuvant treatment of middle and lower rectal cancer. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional post-implementation study that was carried out at a public university cancer center. METHODS: The Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was used to identify resources and activities; link results from activities and outcomes with expected goals; and originate indicators and outcome measurements. RESULTS: The logic model identified four activities: stakeholders' engagement, clinical pathway development, information technology improvements and training programs; and three categories of outcomes: access to care, effectiveness and organizational outcomes. The measurements involved 218 patients, among whom 66.3% had their first consultation within 15 days after admission; 75.2% underwent surgery < 14 weeks after the end of neoadjuvant treatment and 72.7% completed the treatment in < 189 days. There was 100% adherence to the protocol for the regimen of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. CONCLUSIONS: The logic model was useful for evaluating the implementation of the integrated care pathways and for identifying measurements to be made in future outcome studies.

Associations of objectively measured forward bending at work with low-back pain intensity: a 2-year follow-up of construction and healthcare workers.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine possible associations between objectively measured forward bending at work (FBW) and low-back pain intensity (LBPi) among Norwegian construction and healthcare workers. METHODS: One-hundred and twenty-five workers wore two accelerometers for 3-4 consecutive days, during work and leisure to establish duration of ≥30° and ≥60° forward bending. The participating workers reported LBPi (0-3) at the time of objective measurements and after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. We investigated associations using linear mixed models with significance level p≤0.05 and presented results per 100 min. RESULTS: The duration of ≥30° and ≥60° FBW was not associated with average LBPi during follow-up, neither for the total sample nor stratified on work sector. Furthermore, analyses on all workers and on construction workers only found no significant association between ≥30° or ≥60° FBW and change in LBPi over the 2-year follow-up. For healthcare workers we found a consistent significant association between the duration of ≥30° FBW at baseline and the change in LBPi during follow-up, but this was not found for ≥60° FBW. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that objectively measured duration of FBW in minutes is not associated with average levels of, or change in LBPi in construction workers over a 2-year period. In healthcare workers, exposure to ≥30° FBW was associated with change in LBPi, while we did not find this for ≥60° FBW. Results may indicate that the associations between FWB and LBP vary depending on type of work tasks, gender or sector-specific factors.

Unmasking leading to a healthcare worker Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a major health burden worldwide. The disease may present as an individual case, community outbreak, or more rarely as a nosocomial outbreak. Even in countries with a low prevalence such as the UK, tuberculosis (TB) presents a risk to healthcare workers (HCWs). AIM: To report an outbreak which manifested 12 months after a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. METHODS: We present the epidemiological and outbreak investigations; the role of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in identifying the outbreak and control measures to prevent further outbreaks. FINDINGS: Subsequent to a diagnosis of open TB in a patient, transmission was confirmed in one HCW who had active TB; HCWs with latent TB infection (LTBI) were also identified among seven HCW contacts of the index patient. Of note, all the LBTI patients had other risk factors for TB. Routine use of WGS identified the outbreak link between the index patient and the HCW with active TB disease, and informed our investigations. CONCLUSION: Exposure most likely occurred during an aerosol-generating procedure (AGP) which was done in accordance with national guidance at that time without using respiratory protection. Enhanced control measures were implemented following the outbreak.

Occupational Stress Among Home Healthcare Workers: Integrating Worker and Agency-Level Factors.

Home healthcare work is physically and emotionally exhausting. In addition, home healthcare workers frequently work under precarious work arrangements for low wages and in poor work conditions. Little is known about how sources of job strain for home healthcare workers might be reduced. This research examines the occupational stressors among paid home care workers by analyzing home healthcare agency characteristics and individual home healthcare workers' experiences in upstate New York agencies (n = 9). The study augments existing theoretical models and describes new sources of stress arising from the nature of agency-based caregiving. Results feature the analysis of both agency executives' (n = 20) and home healthcare workers' narratives (n = 25) to make the agency's inner workings more transparent. Agency structures and culture are implicated in the lack of progress to address home care workers' health problems. Policy change should focus on compensation, healthier work conditions, and training requirements.

Experimentações e reflexões sobre o apoio institucional em saúde: trabalho a partir do HumanizaSUS / Experimentations and reflections on institutional support within healthcare: study starting from HumanizaSUS / Experimentaciones y reflexiones sobre el apoyo institucional en salud – trabajo a partir del HumanizaSUS

As questões e reflexões que compõem este artigo foram construídas a partir de percursos de consultores na Política Nacional de Humanização do SUS nas discussões com trabalhadores no campo da saúde. Apresenta experiências de formação e debates com Centros de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador (CEREST) da Região Norte do País, e a participação no Comitê Nacional de Promoção à Saúde do Trabalhador do SUS e na Mesa Nacional de Negociação Permanente do SUS. Formula algumas questões sobre a temática Saúde-Trabalho, no intuito de contribuir com esse debate ao apontar as apostas e propostas feitas pela PNH em experimentações no SUS. A criação de estratégias coletivas para lidar com os desafios contextuais e fazer intervenção, considerando o trabalho como processo, pode ampliar o poder de agir de coletivos de trabalhadores no campo da saúde...

The questions and reflections that make up this paper were constructed starting from the course followed by consultants within the National Humanization Policy (PNH) of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) in discussions with healthcare-sector workers. Experiences from training courses and discussions at workers’ healthcare reference centers (CERESTs) in the northern region of Brazil and participation in the National Committee for Health Promotion among SUS Workers and the SUS National Permanent Negotiation Table are presented. Some questions on the topic of health and work are formulated, with the aim of contributing through this debate towards indicating the positions adopted and proposals made within the PNH in experimentations within SUS. Creation of collective strategies for dealing with contextual challenges and making interventions, while considering the work as a process, may expand the power of collective action among healthcare-sector workers...

Las cuestiones y reflexiones que componen este artículo fueron construidas a partir de recorridos de consultores en la Política Nacional de Humanización del SUS en las discusiones con trabajadores en el campo de la salud. Presenta experiencias de formación y debates con Centros de Referencia en Salud del Trabajador (CEREST) de la Región Norte del país y la participación en el Comité Nacional de Promoción a la Salud del Trabajador del SUS y en la Mesa Nacional de Negociación permanente del SUS. Formula algunas preguntas sobre la temática Salud-Trabajo, con la intención de contribuir en ese debate al señalar las apuestas y propuestas realizadas por la PNH en experimentos en el SUS. La creación de estrategias colectivas para enfrentar los desafíos contextuales e intervenir, considerando el trabajo como proceso, puede ampliar el poder de actuar de colectivos de trabajadores en el campo de la salud...

Sem começo e sem fim... com as práticas corporais* e a Clínica Ampliada / No beginning and no end... with bodily practices* and the Enlarged Clinic

Nos últimos anos, embora tenha ocorrido um aumento de ações com práticas corporais/ atividade física na atenção básica, compreendidas como uma ferramenta de ampliação da saúde da população,é premente qualificarmos essas iniciativas com vistas ao acolhimento e ao reconhecimento das necessidades de saúde das pessoas, especialmente considerando o distanciamento entre formação e intervenção que ainda persiste nas subáreas da saúde. Nessa direção, propomos a interlocução entre práticas corporais e Clínica Ampliada, problematizando a produção do cuidado por meio de um caminho mais criativo, que privilegia movimentos de composição entre a singularidade dos usuários e trabalhadores e os princípios do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Com esse arranjo metodológico, trilhamos um percurso que diz de um saber-fazer em processo e de uma experiência de cuidado produzida coletivamente, e nos convoca para pensar e escrever sobre o entre.

Over the last few years, although the number of actions regarding body practices/ physical activity within primary health care (taken to be a tool for improving the health of the population) has increased, there is an urgent need to qualify these initiatives with a view to accepting and acknowledging people’s healthcare requirements, especially considering the detachment between training and intervention that still persists with healthcare subsectors. For this purpose, we propose interlocution between body practicesand Expanded Clinics so as to turn care production into problem-solving actions through a more creative pathway that lays emphasis on movements of composition between the singularities of users and healthcare workers and the principles of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). With this methodological arrangement, we follow a path involving knowhow in relation to processes and experience of collectively produced care and call for thinking and writing about what lies in between.

En los últimos años, aunque haya habido un aumento de acciones con prácticascorporales/ actividad física en la atención básica, entendidas como una herramienta de ampliación de la salud de la población, es urgente que califiquemos tales iniciativas con el objetivo de acoger y reconocer las necesidades de salud de las personas, considerando el distanciamiento entre formación e intervención que todavía persiste en las sub-áreas de la salud. En esa dirección, proponemos la interlocución entre prácticas corporales y línicaAmpliada, problematizando la producción del cuidado por medio de un camino máscreativo que privilegia movimientos de composición entre la singularidad de los usuarios y trabajadores y los principios del Sistema Brasileño de Salud (SUS) Seguimos una trayectoria que habla sobre un saber-hacer en proceso y de una experiencia de cuidado producida colectivamente y que nos convoca a pensar y a escribir sobre el entre.

A experiência de um processo de formação articulando humanização e apoio institucional no trabalho em saúde / Experience of an educacion process linking humanization and institutional support within healthcare work / La experiencia de un proceso de formación articulando la humanización y el apoyo institucional en el trabajo en salud

O texto apresenta uma experiência de formação na Humanização com referenciais do apoio institucional. Na formação foram propostas diretrizes político-metodológicas: (i) tomar a rede do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) como o espaço concreto das relações de trabalho e produção de subjetividades, induzindo-se a pensá-la em sua ‘capacidade autônoma’ (ii) compreendendo o apoio institucional como estratégia de se entremear nos movimentos de tal rede, potencializando a sua condição de autonomia e (iii) concebendo o processo formativo como estratégia de colocar em análise os modos de trabalho nessa rede, induzindo ou fortalecendo o potencial dos trabalhadores para agirem como apoiadores institucionais. Este é o produto-efeito que aqui indicamos para agregar em si os objetivos ampliados dessa atividade formativa. O curso exerceu função de grupalidade, aqueceu redes, mas não é um processo finalizado, pois que acompanha a vida na variação que lhe é própria...

This paper presents an education experience relating to humanization within the framework of institutional support. In this process, the following political-methodological guidelines were proposed: (i) to take the Brazilian Health System (SUS) network to be a concrete space for labor relations and production of subjectivities, thus leading to thinking of it in its ‘autonomous capacity’; (ii) to include institutional support as a strategy for interspersing in the movements of this network, thus enhancing its state of autonomy; and (iii) to conceive of the education process as a strategy for placing the ways of working within this network under analysis, thus inducing or strengthening the potential for workers to act as institutional supporters. This is the end product that we indicate here in order to add extended objectives to this education activity. The course had a group strengthening function and fostered networks, but this is not a finished process, since it follows the course of life, with its intrinsic variations...

El texto presenta una experiencia de formación en la Humanización con referencias de apoyo institucional. En la formación se propusieron directrices político-metodológicas: (i) tomar la red del Sistema Brasileño de Saúde (SUS) como el espacio concreto de las relaciones de trabajo y producción de subjetividades, induciéndose a pensarla en su ‘capacidad autónoma’ (ii) incluyendo el apoyo institucional como estrategia de incluirse en los movimientos de la referida red, potencializando su condición de autonomía y (iii) concibiendo el proceso formativo como estrategia para analizar los modos de trabajo de esa red, induciendo o fortaleciendo el potencial de los trabajadores para actuar como apoyadores institucionales. Este es el producto-efecto que indicamos aquí para agregar en si los objetivos ampliados de esa actividad formativa. El curso ejerció función de formación de grupo, intensificó redes, pero no es un proceso finalizado, puesto que acompaña a la vida en la variación que le es propia...

Identidade da agente comunitária de saúde: tecendo racionalidades emergentes / Identity of community health agents: composing emerging rationalities / Identidad de la agente comunitaria de salud: el tejido de racionalidades emergentes

We analyzed the identity of community health agents (CHAs) from gender categories in dialogue with the categories of public and private/domestic space, and popular and scientific knowledge. We noted that the profession of CHA is undervalued not because it is almost entirely occupied by women, but because it is seen as female work. This condition has historically been marked by gender inequality, in which women are correlated with family care and domestic tasks, and therefore with subordination. This profession reflects hegemonic gender positions within society and its identity is defined through day-to-day life, interactions with the healthcare team and community (which are full of conflicts and affections) and daily practices characterized by hierarchies. Concomitantly, this profession carries the possibility of an emancipatory social and political horizon, defined through creation of community work and organized to fulfill the principle of comprehensiveness.

Analisamos a identidade da agente comunitária de saúde (ACS) a partir da categoria gênero em diálogo com as categorias espaço público e privado/doméstico e saberes populares e científicos. A profissão de ACS é desvalorizada não por ser ocupada quase totalmente por mulheres, mas por ser um trabalho visto como feminino - condição historicamente marcada pela desigualdade de gênero, associando a mulher aos cuidados domésticos e à subordinação. Essa profissão reflete posições de gênero hegemônicas e a definição de sua identidade se dá no dia a dia, na convivência com a equipe de saúde e comunidade, repleta de conflitos e afetos e nas práticas cotidianas marcadas por hierarquias. Concomitantemente, carrega a possibilidade de um horizonte emancipatório, definido na criação do trabalho comunitário e ordenado para o cumprimento do princípio da integralidade.

Analizamos la identidad de la agente comunitaria de salud (ACS) a partir de la categoría género en diálogo con las categorías espacio público y privado/doméstico y saberes populares y científicos. Indicamos que la profesión de ACS es desvalorizada no por ser ocupada casi totalmente por mujeres, sino por ser un trabajo considerado femenino, condición que está históricamente señalada por la desigualdad de género, asociando a la mujer a los cuidados familiares y domésticos y, consecuentemente, a la subordinación. Esa profesión refleja posiciones de género hegemónicas en la sociedad y la definición de su identidad se realiza en el cotidiano, en la convivencia con el equipo de salud y la comunidad, repleta de conflictos y afectos, y en las prácticas cotidianas marcadas por jerarquías. Al mismo tiempo, lleva consigo la posibilidad de un horizonte social y político de emancipación, definido en la creación del trabajo comunitario y ordenado para el cumplimiento del principio de la integralidad.