Turns out, we don’t know for sure.
“Despite the very real risk that exists for all health care workers,” writes surgeon Pauline Chen in her recent column, “the actual number of deaths from occupational injuries or infections is unknown. Unlike policemen and firefighters and other high-risk occupations, health care workers have no national registry to track deaths caused by infections or injuries acquired on the job.”
We can only extrapolate from the data, and from that, it’s estimated that upwards of 300 health care workers die each year from their occupation, such as a disease contracted from within a hospital.
That’s a lot, but as Dr. Chen reminds us, “no one forced you to sign your contract.”
Indeed, most of us knew what we were getting into, and accept that risk.
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- Op-ed: Reasons why health care workers need to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine
- Flu and H1N1 influenza vaccine recommendations for doctors and health care workers
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{ 5 comments }
What about non-fatal hazards? The most common complaint of surgeons is musculoskeletal pain. I know I have issues that arise after seeing patients all day. My friends in nursing also have various aches after a long shift.
Of course, I’d LOVE to serve other health care professionals exclusively. Extending careers for those who really want to serve would be exhilarating. (Sorry for the tangent.)
The bottom line is that caring for someone else will always negatively affect the provider if he/she lets it. Unfortunately for some, that means an untimely demise. For most, it means giving up joy and full health because of stresses we either choose to ignore or deal with improperly.
It seems now-a-days one of the risks of working in health care is being assaulted by a patient. I have almost been punched and had someone else lunge over a counter at me. At the very least, mental and emotional stress of conflict is always a factor.
Very interesting. I have never considered the health risk at any perceived low risk jobs. You’re right, we know what we are getting ourselves into. If we don’t like it . . . we need to make a move. Just wait for all of the people working desk jobs to start raising a fuss because their jobs are making the fat.
Personal Leadership = Personal Responsibility!
Of course we all knew the risks of everything from MRSA to resistent TB, Hep C etc. but I never anticipated the frequent exposure to ionizing radiation (like “bagging” during a long CT scan or CXR for tube placement snapped before antone gets warned to grab lead).
This is an interesting post considering the murder of Dr. Tiller on Sunday, May 31rst. OB/GYNs who perfrom abortions face a unique risk .
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