Treating chemical exposure, preventing workplace injuries

By Carol Lindsay, RN
April 16, 2003

MSDS-Search [www.msdssearch.com] builds and maintains a material safety data sheet library. An MSDS provides information about all foreseeable physical and chemical hazards that can arise from the use of a chemical. Each sheet provides information about the chemicals contained in a substance and the recommended treatment after an exposure.

Hospitals needing to treat individuals exposed to any chemical will benefit from immediate access to a large MSDS repository. The search site allows users to enter a product name, manufacturer name, product code or MSDS file number to locate the fact sheet on the identified substance.

Good mental health

Get Mental Help Inc., which hosts www.mental-health-matters.com, offers a structured source of information about mental health issues to mental health consumers, professionals, students and supporters. An alphabetical listing provides definitions and descriptions of specific mental disorders. A general information page discusses psychiatric medication classifications along with a drug index of specific information about 4,500 different medications.

One of the most helpful features of the site is the educational link that lists hundreds of mental health articles accessed by topic, author or title. Additional information is provided on treatments, research and advocacy.

Long-term care regs

HCPro Inc., a provider of integrated information, education and consulting products and services in the areas of health care regulation and compliance, provides this data at www.snfinfo.com. Topics are organized by category such as home health, acute care and long-term care. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations survey center page presents articles on problematic Type One standards, the ORYX process and a specialized information center for long-term care accreditation.

Visitors can access accreditation tips on topics such as how to set up an adverse drug reaction hotline, electronic records and security and Occupational Safety & Health Administration limits on needle destruction devices. Free e-mail newsletters discuss patient safety and home care. A list of articles on ideas for overcoming deficiencies, preparing for the survey process and overcoming survey challenges is included.

Many articles include anecdotal experience such as using buffet dining to reduce mealtime complaints and techniques for reducing pressure ulcers.

Free psych CEUs

Medscape [www.medscape.com/cmecenterdirectory/nurses] is a great place to obtain free psychiatric and mental health-based CEUs. The site requires a free, one-time registration after which members can access and complete CEUs from a list of regularly updated courses. Your completed CEU activities are tracked-if you forget your password, you will be sent an e-mail reminder.

Just a few of the CEU courses include: treatment- resistant depression, treatment strategies in bipolar effective disorder, addressing the emotional and physical symptoms of depression and aggression management.

Safety zones

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health maintains a Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh. The institute, part of the CDC, is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related disease and injury. NIOSH looks at all potentially hazardous working conditions from lung disease to carpal tunnel syndrome.

The site provides safety information by category: chemical safety, emergency response, respirators, traumatic injuries, bloodborne pathogens and needlesticks, agriculture and construction. Visitors to the site can download a pocket guide to chemical hazards and fact sheets can be printed.