Background: As a part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Former Workers' Medical Surveillance Program, a Needs Assessment was conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The objective was to identify former LANL employees who may be at significant risk for occupational disease and determine whether a medical examination program could reduce morbidity or mortality. We describe the needs assessment approach used at LANL.

Methods: An algorithm was developed to make needs determinations. Information on factors including exposure, health impacts, size of exposed populations, and LANL worker concerns and recommendations were obtained. Each of these factors was scored from 1 to 3. The resulting factor sum was then multiplied by a binary (1 or 0) intervention suitability factor which was 1 if both of the following were available: (1) a screening test with acceptable sensitivity and specificity for the health outcome of concern; and (2) an intervention that decreases morbidity or mortality. This resulted in an Intervention Needs Score that was used to set priorities for the medical examination program for the estimated 35,000 former LANL workers.

Results: Analysis of the algorithm output suggested that six exposure categories be recommended for consideration in a medical examination program. Beryllium, asbestos, and noise clearly warranted inclusion. Lead and ionizing radiation required careful consideration regarding availability of screening tests. Solvents were problematic due to the lack of screening tests and suitable intervention in formerly exposed workers.

Conclusions: The algorithm approach to the needs assessment at LANL documented that six chemical and physical agents should be considered as candidates for inclusion in a medical examination program for former workers.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.10136DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

medical examination
20
examination program
20
program workers
8
department energy
8
national laboratory
8
morbidity mortality
8
screening tests
8
program
6
examination
5
medical
5

Similar Publications

ChatGPT has demonstrated significant potential in various aspects of medicine, including its performance on licensing examinations. In this study, we systematically investigated ChatGPT's performance in Iranian medical exams and assessed the quality of the included studies using a previously published assessment checklist. The study found that ChatGPT achieved an accuracy range of 32-72% on basic science exams, 34-68.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: It is unclear how accurately students can reproduce specific forces that are often required for physical examination maneuvers. This study aimed to determine the baseline accuracy of force application for preclinical medical students, evaluate the effectiveness of a quantitative visual feedback intervention, and investigate whether certain demographics influence accuracy.

Materials And Methods: First- and second-year medical students were enrolled and demographic data were collected.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Can ACR TI-RADS predict the malignant risk of medullary thyroid cancer?

J Clin Transl Endocrinol

March 2025

Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, PR China.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) based on the 2017 Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System by the American College of Radiology (ACR TI-RADS) guideline, and the ability to recommend fine needle aspiration (FNA) for MTC.

Methods: Fifty-six MTCs were included, and 168 benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) and 168 papillary thyroid nodules (PTCs) were matched according to age. Ultrasound (US) features were reviewed according to ACR TI-RADS.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Remember the teeth! Cutaneous manifestation of odontogenic sepsis: A case study.

JPRAS Open

March 2025

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

We present the case of a 21-year-old male with a 3-year history of an isolated 1 × 1 cm purulent lesion on the left cheek, on a background of mild acne. Despite topical treatments, the lump persisted, discharging frank pus regularly. Microbiology swabs and an incisional biopsy were unremarkable.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Subclinical myocardial involvement is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but differences between new onset and longstanding SLE are not fully elucidated. This study compared myocardial involvement in new onset versus longstanding SLE using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

Materials And Methods: We prospectively enrolled 24 drug-naïve new onset SLE patients, 27 longstanding SLE patients, and 20 healthy controls.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!