AIHA backs bill to prevent injuries to healthcare workers, patients
Measure would establish a patient handling, mobility and injury prevention standard
The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) has sent a letter to U.S. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D. Mich.) supporting a bill that would protect both health care workers and patients from injuries. The legislation, titled the “Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2013,” would direct the U.S. Secretary of Labor to reduce injuries to patients, nurses and other healthcare workers by establishing a safe patient handling, mobility and injury prevention standard.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that nursing assistants suffer the most injuries and illnesses related to musculoskeletal disorders of all occupations in 2011, while registered nurses suffered the fifth most.