Publications by authors named "Ashley Schoenfisch"
Background: Despite wide availability of patient lift equipment in hospitals to promote worker and patient safety, nursing staff do not consistently use equipment.
Objective: To determine the influence of factors on the use or non-use of lift equipment during patient lifts/transfers.
Design: Prospective observational cohort study.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of behavior management training on nurses' confidence in managing aggressive patients.
Background: Nurses are at a high risk of experiencing violence directed toward them by patients.
Methods: This quality improvement project used a pre-and-post study design.
Background: Devices to lift, transfer, and reposition patients are recommended for healthcare workers' and patients' safety, but their intended use has yet to be fully realized.
Objective: The aim of this study was to describe hospital nursing staff use of lift/transfer devices and the presence of factors at the time of lifts/transfers with potential to influence whether devices are used.
Methods: Participants were 108 US nursing staff in a university-based medical center and two community hospitals.
Purpose: To investigate (1) why some participants in a workplace weight management program were more engaged in the program, (2) specific barriers and facilitators for engagement and weight loss, and (3) suggest how workplaces may better engage employees in these programs to improve their effectiveness.
Design: Qualitative study (8 focus groups).
Setting: A large academic university and medical system.
Introduction: A rate-based understanding of home care aides' adverse occupational outcomes related to their work location and care tasks is lacking.
Methods: Within a 30-month, dynamic cohort of 43 394 home care aides in Washington State, injury rates were calculated by aides' demographic and work characteristics. Injury narratives and focus groups provided contextual detail.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to identify barriers to healthy eating and physical activity among participants in a workplace weight management program by using questionnaires and statistical analysis.
- - Key barriers found included time constraints and a lack of interest in physical activity, while unhealthy eating was hindered by issues like convenience and limited access to healthy foods.
- - Results indicated that greater barriers to healthy eating were associated with increased sugary drink consumption, highlighting the need for workplace programs to tackle these barriers for better outcomes.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and occupational musculoskeletal (MSK) injury rates, and the statistical interaction between BMI and occupational exposure to MSK hazards (measured by level of MSK injury risk based on job category).
Methods: Using 17 years of data from 38,214 university and health system employees, multivariate Poisson regression modeled the interaction between BMI and MSK injury risk on injury rates.
Results: A significant interaction between BMI and MSK injury risk was observed.
Introduction: Despite the size and breadth of OSHA's Outreach Training program for construction, information on its impact on work-related injury rates is limited.
Methods: In a 9-year dynamic cohort of 17,106 union carpenters in Washington State, the effectiveness of OSHA Outreach Training on workers' compensation claims rate was explored. Injury rates were calculated by training status overall and by carpenters' demographic and work characteristics using Poisson regression.
Background: Rubber tapping involves carrying heavy loads, navigating rough terrain, and using sharp tools. However, little is known about occupational injury among this vulnerable working population.
Objective: To assesses the prevalence, severity, and contributing factors associated with occupational injury among Sri Lankan rubber tappers and to identify possible interventions to improve occupational safety.
Background: Under-reporting of type II (patient/visitor-on-worker) violence by workers has been attributed to a lack of essential event details needed to inform prevention strategies.
Methods: Mixed methods including surveys and focus groups were used to examine patterns of reporting type II violent events among ∼11,000 workers at six U.S.
Security Personnel Practices and Policies in U.S. Hospitals: Findings From a National Survey.
Workplace Health Saf
November 2016
Concerns of violence in hospitals warrant examination of current hospital security practices. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from members of a health care security and safety association to examine the type of personnel serving as security in hospitals, their policies and practices related to training and weapon/restraint tool carrying/use, and the broader context in which security personnel work to maintain staff and patient safety, with an emphasis on workplace violence prevention and mitigation. Data pertaining to 340 hospitals suggest security personnel were typically non-sworn officers directly employed (72%) by hospitals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Rubber tapping exposes workers to risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Objectives: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with MSDs among Sri Lankan rubber tappers.
Methods: Questionnaires were administered to 300 rubber tappers to measure MSDs and potential associated factors.
Use of a pneumatic nail gun with a sequential actuation trigger (SAT) significantly diminishes the risk for acute traumatic injury compared to use of a contact actuation trigger (CAT) nail gun. A theoretically-based increased risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders from use of a SAT nail gun, relative to CAT, appears unlikely and remains unproven. Based on current knowledge, the use of CAT nail guns cannot be justified as a safe alternative to SAT nail guns.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Hospital sitters provide continuous observation of patients at risk of harming themselves or others. Little is known about sitters' occupational safety and well-being, including experiences with patient/visitor-perpetrated violence (type II).
Methods: Data from surveys, focus groups, individual interviews at six U.
Background: An elevated risk of patient/visitor perpetrated violence (type II) against hospital nurses and physicians have been reported, while little is known about type II violence among other hospital workers, and circumstances surrounding these events.
Methods: Hospital workers (n = 11,000) in different geographic areas were invited to participate in an anonymous survey.
Results: Twelve-month prevalence of type II violence was 39%; 2,098 of 5,385 workers experienced 1,180 physical assaults, 2,260 physical threats, and 5,576 incidents of verbal abuse.
Background: Musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders (MSDIs) are common reasons for visits to medical providers in the general population and they are common work-related complaints. Prior reports raise concerns as to whether declines in workers' compensation (WC) rates represent true improvement in occupational health and safety or shifting of care to other payment systems.
Methods: By linking administrative records, we compared patterns of WC claims and private health care utilization for disorders of the upper extremity (UE) and knee among a large cohort of union carpenters over a 20-year period.
Background: Nail guns increase productivity in residential building but with a corresponding increase in worker injuries. They are also easily accessible, at low cost, to consumers.
Methods: Data from the occupational supplement to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS-Work) were used to calculate national estimates of work-related injuries from nail guns between 2006 and 2011.
Background: Numerous aspects of construction place workers at risk of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries (MSDIs). Work organization and the nature of MSDIs create surveillance challenges.
Methods: By linking union records with workers' compensation claims, we examined 20-year patterns of MSDIs involving the upper extremity (UE) and the knee among a large carpenter cohort.
Background: Declining work injury rates may reflect safer work conditions as well as under-reporting.
Methods: Union carpenters were invited to participate in a mailed, cross-sectional survey designed to capture information about injury reporting practices. Prevalence of non-reporting and fear of repercussions for reporting were compared across exposure to behavioral-based safety elements and three domains of the Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50).
Background: Drywall installers are at high risk for work-related falls from height (FFH).
Methods: We defined a 20-year (1989-2008) cohort of 5,073 union drywall carpenters in Washington State, their worker-hours, and FFH. FFH rate patterns were examined using Poisson regression.
Background: Falls from height (FFH) are a longstanding, serious problem in construction.
Methods: We report workers' compensation (WC) payments associated with FFH among a cohort (n = 24,830; 1989-2008) of carpenters. Mean/median payments, cost rates, and adjusted rate ratios based on hours worked were calculated using negative-binomial regression.
Background: While violence can adversely affect mental health of victims, repercussions of violence against workers is not as well characterized.
Materials And Methods: We explored relationships between workplace violent events perpetrated by patients or visitors (Type II) against hospital employees and the employee use of psychotropic medications or mental health services using a data system that linked violent events with health claims.
Results: Significant associations were observed between reported Type II workplace violent events and employee prescription claims for anti-depressants and anxiolytics combined (RR = 1.
Introduction: Construction workers are at high risk of work-related musculoskeletal back disorders, and research suggests medical care and costs associated with these conditions may be covered by sources other than workers' compensation (WC). Little is known about the back injury experience and care seeking behavior among drywall installers, a high-risk workgroup regularly exposed to repetitive activities, awkward postures, and handling heavy building materials.
Methods: Among a cohort of 24,830 Washington State union carpenters (1989-2008), including 5,073 drywall installers, we identified WC claims, visits for health care covered through union-provided health insurance and time at risk.
Background: Falls from height (FFH) continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality across the construction industry.
Methods: By linking data on work hours with workers' compensation records, rates of work-related injuries resulting from FFH and associated days away from work were evaluated among a large cohort (n = 24,830) of union carpenters in Washington State from 1989 to 2008. Using Poisson regression we assessed rates of FFH over the 20-year period while adjusting for temporal trend in other work-related injuries.
Background: Drywall installers are at high-risk of work-related injury. Comprehensive descriptive epidemiology of injuries among drywall installers, particularly over time, is lacking.
Methods: We identified worker-hours and reported and accepted workers' compensation (WC) claims for a 20-year (1989-2008) cohort of 24,830 Washington State union carpenters.