Taking Care of the Carers: HealthWISE Tool for Health Care Workers
If appropriate caution is not exercised, hospitals can themselves be sources of injuries and diseases, making them a hazardous workplace. The multi-dimensional nature of the possible hazards calls for joint efforts and responses, as demonstrated by the ILO, WHO and the University of British Columbia (Canada) partnership.
2 November 2016
(ILO News) Harare:- Health care workers (HCWs), including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, take care of people as part of their work. However, in the process of caring for others, HCWs can be exposed to occupational risks, such as contracting diseases or getting injured in the process. The hazards present in hospitals and clinics could be of a biological nature, such as HIV, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis (TB), making the work place an environment with high risk of occupational exposure. Data from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2014 systematic literature review estimated that occupational sharps injuries are responsible for 32 per cent of hepatitis B, 40 per cent of hepatitis C and 5 per cent of HIV infections among health workers.
Recognising these challenges, the ILO and WHO, jointly developed the HealthWISE (Work Improvement in the Health SEctor), a “practical, participatory quality improvement tool for health facilities.” It consists of eight modules to help guide the improvement of occupational health and safety at healthcare worksites, with low-cost solutions.
The ILO is partnering with the University of British Columbia (Canada), the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the University of Zimbabwe in a project to pilot the HealthWISE methodology at health institutions in Zimbabwe. The project will focus on two areas of improvement, namely:
Module 3: Biological hazards and infection control, with special reference to HIV and TB, and
Module 4: Tackling discrimination, harassment and violence at work
The Ministry of Health and Child Care identified the Harare Central Hospital and Murehwa District Hospital for the pilot study.
To kick-start the project, the ILO convened a Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop in October 2016. The workshop was attended by representatives from Harare Central Hospital, Murehwa District Hospital, and some members of the Technical Committee constituted from supporting organisations, including the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
Draft Action Plans developed at the workshop range from practical, low-cost structural solutions, to promotional campaigns for greater adherence to appropriate use of N95 respirators and for reduced stigma and discrimination. From the hospital level master plan, each unit will be encouraged to develop its own strategies for implementation. The implementation process will be from November 2016 to April 2017.
The project will build on the many good practices already taking place in the hospitals to improve and make the workplace a healthier and safer place for everyone - from HCWs - to supporting staff - to patients, and even to the wider community that the hospitals serve. Also included in this project are other hospital workers i.e. management and support workers, such as cooks, drivers, cleaners, waste handlers and security guards.
Similar studies are also being conducted concurrently in selected healthcare facilities in Mozambique and South Africa. Outcomes and lessons learned will be shared across the three participating countries.
Recognising these challenges, the ILO and WHO, jointly developed the HealthWISE (Work Improvement in the Health SEctor), a “practical, participatory quality improvement tool for health facilities.” It consists of eight modules to help guide the improvement of occupational health and safety at healthcare worksites, with low-cost solutions.
The ILO is partnering with the University of British Columbia (Canada), the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the University of Zimbabwe in a project to pilot the HealthWISE methodology at health institutions in Zimbabwe. The project will focus on two areas of improvement, namely:
Module 3: Biological hazards and infection control, with special reference to HIV and TB, and
Module 4: Tackling discrimination, harassment and violence at work
The Ministry of Health and Child Care identified the Harare Central Hospital and Murehwa District Hospital for the pilot study.
To kick-start the project, the ILO convened a Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop in October 2016. The workshop was attended by representatives from Harare Central Hospital, Murehwa District Hospital, and some members of the Technical Committee constituted from supporting organisations, including the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU).
Draft Action Plans developed at the workshop range from practical, low-cost structural solutions, to promotional campaigns for greater adherence to appropriate use of N95 respirators and for reduced stigma and discrimination. From the hospital level master plan, each unit will be encouraged to develop its own strategies for implementation. The implementation process will be from November 2016 to April 2017.
The project will build on the many good practices already taking place in the hospitals to improve and make the workplace a healthier and safer place for everyone - from HCWs - to supporting staff - to patients, and even to the wider community that the hospitals serve. Also included in this project are other hospital workers i.e. management and support workers, such as cooks, drivers, cleaners, waste handlers and security guards.
Similar studies are also being conducted concurrently in selected healthcare facilities in Mozambique and South Africa. Outcomes and lessons learned will be shared across the three participating countries.