By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    nursing program
    7 Tips to Picking the Best Nursing Program
    February 5, 2018
    Health Care: A Modern-Day Blade Runner?
    December 10, 2014
    Occupational Therapy Assistant | Medical Assistant | Home Health Aide
    In-Demand Healthcare Support Jobs
    April 16, 2016
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Are your Health Workers Properly Protected?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Global Healthcare > Are your Health Workers Properly Protected?
Global HealthcarePolicy & Law

Are your Health Workers Properly Protected?

Are your health workers properly protected? Learn how to ensure the safety of your healthcare personnel and the patients they serve, with tips and strategies for protecting them from medical hazards.

Annie Qureshi
Last updated: December 20, 2022 9:12 pm
Annie Qureshi
Share
6 Min Read
Health workers protection
Licensed from DepositPhotos - Author yupiramos
SHARE

One of the key challenges of working in the medical profession is protecting workers from the diseases carried by patients. If a contagion should spread through the workforce, then the capability of an entire facility, or organisation, might be compromised. We’ve seen this recently with the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw large numbers of doctors and nurses sidelined, and necessitated the introduction of a whole range of contagion-limiting measures.

Contents
Personal Protective EquipmentPPE usage trainingStaff hygiene trainingPsychological healthTakeaway:

During Winter, these concerns are more pressing, since viruses are more prevalent. And, naturally, Covid-19 is still around – albeit in a reduced state. For this reason, decision-makers in medicine should think about the safety of both patients and caregivers.

As the world battles with the coronavirus pandemic, frontline health workers are at an even greater risk of infection. Unfortunately, their safety often falls short due to inadequate protective equipment and lack of resources.

In this article, we will discuss why it is essential that health workers are properly protected in order to effectively combat diseases such as Covid-19.

More Read

Image
Caring For Chronic Illnesses Should Be Different
Obama’s Opportunity for the “Super Committee”
Obama’s Precision Healthcare Initiative Ushers in a New Age of Medical Marketing
Why the Business of Pain Management Is Big and Getting Bigger
Is There a Moral Duty to Buy Health Insurance?

Personal Protective Equipment

Arguably the most powerful means of limiting contagion is through personal protective equipment like facemasks and gloves and it is important to note that the precise form that the PPE takes will depend on the context. The correct use of protective clothing will help to reduce the spread of pathogens and thereby protect individuals and groups.

Face coverings protect in situations where germs might be transmitted through the mouth and nose. Their efficacy will depend on the disease in question. In some cases, they’re highly effective; in others, they’re less so.

Latex gloves and gowns are worn by surgical professionals and dentists, among others. If a doctor is going to be physically touching a patient, then gloves will mean that germs aren’t being transmitted. Given that a single doctor might physically examine scores of patients over the course of a given working week, this can be invaluable.

PPE usage training

If the PPE being provided isn’t properly used, it will be less effective. In some cases, it might be counterproductive, as it’ll give the illusion of being effective, which might lead to misplaced confidence. For example, incorrectly-sized facemasks might allow leaks, increasing the risk of exposure.

When NHS staff received training from a health and safety equipment provider, Arco they were effusive in their praise.

“We all benefited greatly from being able to examine and probe a variety of half-face and full-face masks, on more than one occasion. The team were also on hand to help answer any questions. I would highly recommend this support is available to other NHS staff.”

Staff hygiene training

Good hygiene is one of the most important aspects of proper health care. Without it, health workers are at risk of transmitting diseases to their patients and themselves. To ensure that this doesn’t happen, staff hygiene training should be a priority for any health organization.

Making staff aware of their own personal hygiene is essential, as well as how to use protective equipment properly. This includes understanding how to store, handle and dispose of hazardous materials correctly. Training should also cover areas such as handwashing techniques and decontamination procedures in order to reduce the spread of infection. Educating employees on these practices can significantly improve patient safety standards in any healthcare setting.

When staff are trained in appropriate hygiene measures, and implement them habitually, patients will enjoy a much greater level of protection. Washing hands with warm, soapy water, or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser, might work wonders. Short sleeves, short (natural) nails and minimal jewellery will all help, too.

Psychological health

Less focussed on are the mental health consequences of certain kinds of medical work. Shift work can make it difficult to get to sleep, which can have a whole range of detrimental consequences for staff members and patients. Certain kinds of medical work can also be emotionally draining, especially if it puts workers up close and personal with traumatic or life-threatening situations. Providing staff with the freedom to declare that it’s getting too much, and with access to counselling and therapy, might help to retain them in the long-term, and to keep them productive, too.

Takeaway:

In conclusion, it is clear that health workers need to be protected from the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only should they be provided with adequate protective equipment, but also should have access to mental health support and resources. Safe working environments are essential for ensuring that healthcare staff can continue their work without fear of catching the virus. Governments must act now to ensure that proper protocols are in place and implemented to protect frontline workers from contracting this deadly virus.

TAGGED:health workershealth workers protection
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

The True Impact of the SCOTUS ACA Decision Will Rest with Voters

June 20, 2012

Leveraging Health IT to Strengthen Patient Engagement

April 7, 2013
future of healthcare survey heathcare reform
BusinessNewsPolicy & LawPublic Health

The Future of Healthcare Survey: Does it include Doctors?

March 2, 2012
Health carePublic HealthWellness

5 Most Stressful Corporate Jobs That Lead to Addiction

October 15, 2017
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?