Riverview WorkMed has put together this newsletter to offer a new line of support for you, the employer. In each issue we will provide occupational health updates, a health note from our nurse practitioners, as well as an attached wellness newsletter for you to share with your employees.

Best Regards,

Riverview WorkMed

For employees who have minor illness symptoms such as cough and sinus pain, WorkMed Acute Care is available at both East and West facilities. Our Certified Nurse Practitioners will diagnose, educate and prescribe medications as needed for an illness or health condition. Smoking Cessation is also available.

Our goal is to help maintain a healthy and productive workforce.

Walk-ins are welcome. Personal insurance accepted.

Effective July 1, 2011 Indiana law prohibits texting and data use while operating a moving vehicle. We encourage you to enforce this state law in your parking lot and extend this safety measure to employees working with heavy machinery.

OSHA & NIOSH Release New Spirometry Guidance Documents for Employers and Workers

By: Christine Sheeks, RN, COHN/CM, WorkMed Manager

On average, humans will breathe 23,000 times a day. However, breathing in the work place may expose individuals to harmful dust, gases, and contaminants. Prolonged exposure to contaminants can lead to decreased lung function.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created the respiratory protections standard 29CFR 1910.134 to help you, the employer, maintain healthy breathing for your employees.

After reviewing the respiratory protection standard the question may still remain - should employees complete a spirometry test as part of the Respiratory Medical Evaluation?  The impact of prolonged exposure to contaminats can be measured by a spirometry test.  A spirometry test measures how well air moves in and out of the lungs; establishes a baseline for a worker prior to assigning them to a job and follow up tests will help detect any breathing problems for the worker at an earlier stage.  Please see the new OSHA-NIOSH-produced Infosheetfor further information for the employer about spirometry.

On March 25, 2001 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in corporation with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released new guidelines developed to help employers and their employees to understand the importance of spirometry testing and help reduce employee exposure to respiratory dangers.  The following document OSHA-NIOSH Worker Info was created to explain to the worker the importance of a spirometry test, what to do during the test and their right to receive explanation of the test along with a copy of the test.

According to Dr. David Michaels of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration "Spirometry is the best available test for early detection of decreasing or abnormal lung function."¹  He goes on to say that these test are a vital component of health and safety programs in workplaces where workers may be exposed to hazardous airborne contaminants.

WorkMed is prepared to help you the employer be compliant with the OSHA respiratory guidelines that have been set forth.  Our staff are trained under the NIOSH guidelines for Spirometry testing.  Contact WorkMed at 317-776-3851 or workmed@riverview.org for more information and an appointment to discuss your present respiratory protection program.

1 Source 

• audio screens
• blood exposure management
• blood testing and lab services for toxicology
• CPR and first aid training
• electrocardiograms
• government compliance
• health education classes and 1:1 coaching
• injury care
• physicals
• spirometry testing
• substance abuse testing
• respiratory fit testing
• vaccines
• vision screenings
• wellness screenings and program management
• x-rays
• acute illness care

Walk-ins welcome 

In addition, many of the services we offer can be provided on-site at your facility for small to large groups.  Contact Chris Sheeks at 317-776-3851 or via email at csheeks@riverview.org for more information about these services.