Why go to Your Annual Primary Care Exam?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 82% of Americans visited a primary care doctor or specialty physician in 2021. This number is up significantly from 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic caused Americans to focus more on their health and well-being. One of the best ways to ensure you are in tip-top shape is by visiting your primary care doctor each year. This exam allows you to check in on your medical status and ask questions about your health. Additionally, these annual visits can be preventative. Your doctor knows what kinds of disease or chronic illness you are at risk for and can help you prevent them. Additionally, you can get tested for diseases in hopes of catching any illness early. Overall, your annual primary care exam is one of the best things you can do.

What to Expect

While there are standard procedures for most primary care exams, people of different ages and genders may have different or additional testing. Here is a basic overview of what to expect during your annual visit.

Vital Signs

One of the first things your primary care doctor or nurse will do is check your vital signs. Vital signs include body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and steadiness, and blood pressure (though blood pressure is not considered a vital sign, it will be measured at the same time as the vital signs). Your provider will use this information as a baseline for the rest of your appointment. Each of the vital signs can provide important information about the state of your health.

Physical Examination

A physical examination will be performed by your provider. This examination typically includes four steps: inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion. The first step, inspection, involves looking at the body. Typically, providers look for signs of cancer or disease, such as skin tone changes, lumps, or suspicious moles. They may also ask you to move parts of your body to see if your movement is smooth. In the second step, the doctor will feel certain areas of the body, like the torso, to look for consistency in texture, location, and tenderness of certain organs. Thirdly, the doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your breathing sounds and heartbeat. In the final step, the doctor will tap on certain areas of your body, like your back and stomach, to make a sound in the body. Additionally, they may use a reflex hammer to test your reflexes.

Blood Work and Vaccinations

The final step to your physical appointment is blood work and vaccinations. Depending on your age and gender, your doctor may take and test a sample of blood for a variety of things. Additionally, you may be offered some vaccinations if you have lapsed on any.

How to Prepare for your Physical

Preparing for your annual primary care appointment is a great way to ensure you get the most out of the visit.

Make Your Appointment

The first step is the make the appointment. When calling the office, ask if you will need to fast or if there is anything you should avoid doing ahead of time. If you are visiting a new provider, be sure to fax your medical records to the new office.

Create a List of Medications

No matter how long you have been seeing your provider, it is important to update them on your medications. The medications you take may influence how they advise you during your appointment. Be sure to include prescriptions, herbal supplements, vitamins, and any over-the-counter medications you take regularly.

Be Prepared to Answer Questions About Your Medical and Family History

Your annual primary care exam is a time for your doctor to check up on your health and make sure you are on the right track. It is important to be prepared to answer questions about your personal life, like the following:

• How many alcoholic beverages do you drink each week?
• Do you smoke?
• Do you partake in recreational drugs?
• Are you sexually active?
• Have you had any surgeries?
• Are you allergic to any medications?

Additionally, you may be asked questions about your family’s medical history. You must answer these questions honestly.

Bring a List of Questions

Ask your own questions. If you have any strange aches or new allergies, this is a great time to ask your doctor about them. Bring your concerns forward to help you and your doctor prevent disease or chronic illness.

Make your annual primary care exam today!

How Can We Help?

Work Health Solutions offers comprehensive healthcare solutions for your medical needs. Our qualified team treats patients and employers alike and always provides top-quality service. We back our quality service with years of experience working with academic and research institutions, corporate healthcare, Fortune 25 companies, small governments, and local businesses. Reach out today with any questions about how we can assist you!

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The Cost of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Workplace injuries and illnesses can have high financial costs for both employers and employees. These costs can arise from various sources, such as medical expenses, lost wages, decreased productivity, and workers’ compensation claims. 

The financial impact of workplace injuries and illnesses can be extensive. According to the 2020 National Safety Council study, work-related injuries cost US businesses $163.9 billion annually.  This includes direct costs, such as medical expenses and workers’ compensation payments. Also included are indirect costs, such as lost productivity and training replacement workers. The National Safety Council estimates that 99 million days of productivity are lost annually due to injury. 

Additionally, workplace injuries and illnesses can result in increased healthcare costs and increased stress for employees. Unexpected healthcare costs can include medical treatments, prescription drugs, and rehabilitation services for sustained injuries. Furthermore, employees who experience workplace injuries or illnesses may require time off from work to recover, which can lead to lost wages and increased financial stress.

Overall, the cost of workplace injuries and illnesses can be staggering for both employers and employees. Luckily, employers can invest in safety programs to prevent such incidents from occurring and reduce the financial burden on their organizations and employees.

The Role of Safety Programs in Reducing Employee Healthcare Costs

A safety program can play a vital role in reducing healthcare costs for employers and employees. By implementing a strong safety program in the workplace, employers can create a safer working environment that reduces the risk of workplace injuries and illnesses.

Safety programs can help identify and eliminate workplace hazards that can cause injuries and illnesses. Addressing these hazards can help reduce the number of workplace injuries and illnesses. This will lower healthcare costs for both employers and employees. Additionally, safety programs can promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles among employees. Wellness programs, for example, can provide employees with tools and resources to improve their overall health and well-being, such as healthy eating and exercise programs. By promoting healthier behaviors, safety programs can help reduce the incidence of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes, which can lower healthcare costs.

An effective safety program can also improve employee morale and engagement by demonstrating that employers care about their employees’ health and safety. When employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to be productive and motivated, which can help reduce healthcare costs associated with lost productivity due to workplace injuries and illnesses.

Types of Safety Programs

Several types of safety programs can be beneficial to employee safety. Here are a few examples:

• Injury prevention programs: Injury prevention programs aim to identify and eliminate potential hazards in the workplace that can lead to workplace injuries. 
• Ergonomics: Implementing ergonomic programs and controls in the workplace can reduce muscle fatigue and strain.
• Wellness programs: Wellness programs aim to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles among employees. 
• Health and safety training programs: Health and safety training programs provide employees with the knowledge and skills to identify and avoid workplace hazards.
• Safety incentive programs: Safety incentive programs reward employees for practicing safe behaviors and avoiding workplace accidents.

Tips for Implementing Effective Safety Programs

Implementing effective safety programs in the workplace requires a strategic approach. This involves identifying hazards, developing policies and procedures, and training employees. Start by conducting a thorough hazard assessment to determine what precautions should be taken. Then, your team can work with employees to determine the right safety measures to put in place. Finally, thorough and frequent safety training is the cornerstone of any effective safety program. These steps may seem overwhelming, particularly on top of your regular work schedule. By working with an occupational health specialist like Work Health Solutions, you can know that your work environment is following safety regulations and ensuring employee safety.

How Can We Help?

Work Health Solutions offers comprehensive healthcare solutions for your medical needs. Our qualified team treats patients and employers alike and always provides top-quality service. We back our quality service with years of experience working with academic and research institutions, corporate healthcare, Fortune 25 companies, small governments, and local businesses. Reach out today with any questions about how we can assist you!

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What is the Difference Between Proactive and Reactive Safety?

There are two types of safety: proactive and reactive. In the past, reactive safety has been the most common. This is when companies handle accidents after they already happen. With rising worker’s compensation costs and OSHA fines, reactive safety is risky both in terms of finances and employee lives.

Proactive safety seeks to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Proactive safety includes things like safety training, safety procedures, and safety protocols. Because of the unpredictable nature of workplace injuries, safety protocols can decrease the risk of severe injuries and even death. Proactive safety allows employers and employees to be better prepared for accidents by anticipating the risks present in the workplace.

Identify Hazards in the Workplace

Identifying risks and hazards to employee health and safety is the first step to proactively valuing employee safety. Every industry has hazards, but identifying them can be difficult. Look at the worksite holistically and seek out areas for improvement. Walk through the site and assess the types and states of the equipment used, common work practices, and any other potential hazards.

Listen to Employees and Follow Through

Employees are on the front lines of their work. They likely recognize more risks in their workplace than their employers do. Work with your employees to address their safety concerns. Using a complaint box is an effective way to get employee input without making employees feel nervous. It is important to note that by OSHA regulations, employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for reporting hazards, injuries, and deaths. Be sure your employees feel safe enough to report hazards to you. 

After employees report hazards, work with them to address these hazards. If possible, remove the hazard from the worksite. If this is not possible, seek out ways to mitigate the effects of the hazard. 

Prioritize Serious Injuries and Fatalities

In 2021, there were 5,190 fatal work injuries reported, which was an 8.9% increase from the previous year. Not all injuries are equal; fatal injuries are detrimental to a company’s reputation, finances, and even existence. Luckily, most hazards that cause fatal injuries can be eliminated from the worksite. If a hazard cannot be eliminated, try to substitute the action or engineer controls to reduce the impact of the hazard on employee safety. The last resort, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety hierarchy of controls, is to provide and require PPE.

Create a Safety Culture

A culture of safety involves directing every action and thought in the workplace toward safety.  Developing a culture of safety takes time and training. Regular and creative training sessions can help solidify safety protocol in the minds of your employees. Safety training provides employees and employers with the tools and skills they need to operate safely in the workplace. Be sure to include thorough safety training and job shadowing as part of your onboarding process for new employees. Additionally, conduct weekly or monthly safety training sessions for current employees. Get creative with these sessions by introducing games, activities, and prizes.

The safety needs of every worksite are different, and identifying and reducing hazards can be difficult and time-consuming. Work Health Solutions can help you create a unique safety plan for your workplace!

How Can We Help?

Work Health Solutions offers comprehensive healthcare solutions for your medical needs. Our qualified team treats patients and employers alike and always provides top-quality service. Our quality service is backed by years of experience working with academic and research institutions, corporate healthcare, Fortune 25 companies, small governments, and local businesses. Reach out today with any questions about how we can assist you!

The post How to Proactively Value Employee Safety appeared first on Work Health Solutions.

The good news is that Occupational Hearing Loss (OHL) is preventable. The financial liability can be significantly reduced if employers and workplace executives implement proactive control measures that limit its substantial effect on the employees.

What Causes Occupational Hearing Loss?

Occupational Hearing Loss (OHL) is an illness caused by repeated or long-term exposure to loud noises and hazardous chemicals that affects the inner ear (ototoxic chemicals). According to NIOSH, “Loud Noise” is defined as unsafe when it reaches 85 dBA or higher (decibels sound pressure level measured using the A frequency-weighting network on a sound level meter), or in layman’s terms, if a person must raise their voice to speak with someone about 3 feet away or at arm’s length.

Hazardous irritants (Ototoxic chemicals) that can result in hearing loss include solvents like trichloroethylene, heavy metals, and compounds such as mercury and lead; asphyxiants like carbon monoxide (exhaust) and hydrogen cyanide.

For a long time, the risk of Occupational Hearing Loss has been notably discussed and addressed for employees working in mining, manufacturing, transportation, and construction but a 2020 study published in the International Journal of Audiology reveals that a large number of workers in sub-sector service agency workers such as publishing, landscaping, dry cleaning, pyrotechnics, entertainment and recreation, healthcare are equally at higher risk. It is important to recognize the signs of OHL and know how to prevent it!

Symptoms Of Occupational Hearing Loss 

OHL has debilitating effects and a drastic life-changing impact. Depending on the severity of the hearing loss, symptoms vary from one worker to another. Here are some auditory and non-auditory symptoms to look out for.

Common Auditory symptoms include:

• Tinnitus, i.e., change in sound perception (Ringing in the ears that cannot be ascribed to external sources)
• Difficulty understanding speech- “I can hear but cannot understand!”.
• Muffling of acoustic cues (e.g., beepers, alarms, signals)

Common non-auditory symptoms include:

• Sleep disturbance because of tinnitus
• Frustration and social avoidance
• Depression 
• Cardiovascular disease: In a 2004 study on hearing loss in auto factories, researchers repeatedly noted that noise exposure increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure, changes heart rate and causes the release of stress hormones (Lusk et al.).
• Dementia: In a study led by Johns Hopkins expert Frank Lin, M.D., Ph. D., that tracked 639 adults for about 12 years, researchers found that dementia risk doubled in individuals with mild hearing loss. Moderate hearing loss tripled their risk, and adults with severe hearing impairment were five times more likely to develop dementia.

If you begin experiencing these symptoms, consult your healthcare provider immediately. OHL can worsen over time if protective measures are not implemented. 

How can Workers reduce the risk of Occupational Hearing Loss?

There are several ways employers and employees can help prevent OHL and provide a safer workplace. If the employer notices that employees must raise their voices to speak with someone about 3 feet away, then there is a likelihood of noise at a hazardous level (≥85 decibels). Here are some ways employers and employees can limit exposure and create a safer workplace:

1. Noise Evaluation

Use a noise meter to measure the noise or check the noise level using a sound level meter app on your phone, such as the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app. If the sound level meter indicates a hazardous level, it is always best to reduce noise at the source of the noise. Also, use quieter equipment and keep equipment well maintained and lubricated.

2. Reduce risk exposure

Reduce time spent in a noisy environment and take frequent breaks from noisy activity. Create a reasonable distance between you and the noise source. For example, if you are listening to music or other activities, keep the volume at a safe range and do not listen to music in a noisy environment. You should also stop or limit exposure to chemicals contributing to hearing damage.

3. Utilize Proper PPE

While wearing personal protective equipment such as headphones might seem uncomfortable, it does a great job of protecting against work-related hearing loss. When working in an area with hazardous noise, always wear hearing protection such as earplugs and wear them correctly.

When in contact with hazardous chemicals, wear proper protective equipment such as a respirator, eye shields, and gloves as appropriate. Also, never use chemicals without reading and following the chemical safety instructions. 

4. Check Your Hearing Ability

Performing audiograms help to identify deterioration in the hearing ability of one or both ears. Implementing annual audiograms will help initiate protective follow-up measures before hearing loss progresses. Work Health Solutions offers a variety of health tests and screenings to ensure your workplace is safe! Understanding the causes, symptoms, and preventative ways to avoid hazardous noise will keep you safe and productive in the workplace.

We Can Help!

Work Health Solutions has made it its mission to help provide necessary healthcare for those who need it, especially in the working environment. We understand the difficulty of taking care of employees in the workplace, including injury prevention, and if you need help putting together a strategy, contact us today.

Sources:

• Lusk SL, Gillespie B, Hagerty BM, Ziemba RA. Acute effects of noise on blood pressure and heart rate. Arch Environ Health. 2004 Aug;59(8):392-9. doi: 10.3200/AEOH.59.8.392-399. PMID: 16268115.

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