Katsuya Yahata^(1)
(1)University of Occupational and Environmental Health - Kitakyushu. Japan

	[Hygiene, Public Health & Preventive Medicine]	[Occupational Health]

DISCUSSION

1) Occupational safety and health management system in medical institutions

In this survey, the rates of OHP appointment were 58% and 80% and they dropped down by 5-7% in both scales´ institutions. It is not unusual to handle hazardous materials in medical institutions, and gas sterilization like EO needs a work environment management system. In fact, as shown in table 6, it was proved that the solution like assignment of OHP could improve the management.

2) Management of EO gas

Observing the present situation of gas management in the EO sterilization workplace reveals an insufficient management of the gas circuit. In Japan, EO gas is classed as a hazardous chemical, and its management specifications are defined. Workers have opportunities to enter into EO sterilization workplace, so it is clear the management of working environment in dealing with EO is necessary in the workplace.

3) Management of work and work environment in sterilization

The performance rates of recording and periodical maintenance were low. In 72% of them, workers have access into the sterilization area; this suggests high EO exposure possibility of sterilization workers.

Workers are most likely to be exposed to EO when they move sterilized instruments to aerator after the sterilization in order to remove residual EO on the instruments. In most medical institutions, the moving from sterilizer to aerator is performed manually. Concentrated residual EO is attached to sterilized instruments and, thus, sterilization workers are much likely to get exposed to residual EO^(3,4). Now, we have organizational problems based on the present survey.

Generally, many Japanese medical institutions still didn´t set up sufficient occupational health management system regarding EO sterilization. Also, a significant relationship was observed between either-or indicators for safe EO sterilization performance and the set-up level of occupational health management system.

Discussion Board

Any Comment to this presentation?

[ABSTRACT] [INTRODUCTION] [MATERIAL & METHODS] [RESULTS] [TABLES] [TABLES-2] [DISCUSSION] [CONCLUSIONS] [BIBLIOGRAPHY] [Discussion Board]

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	[Hygiene, Public Health & Preventive Medicine]	[Occupational Health]

Katsuya Yahata
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Last update: 13/01/00