MEMO

To: Remington Sprague, Chief Medical Officer

From: Summer Pike, ENG 321 student at Ferris State University
Date: June 16, 2014
Subject: An Annotated Bibliography for Associate Health
Assignment Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is to inform my readers about the sources available on the subject
of associate health.
Result Summary:
I was able to find multiple areas regarding the topic of associate health in healthcare settings.
With so much information I will need to stay focused on certain key points that reflect the unmet
need of my topic so that I dont risk it become too broad. I will also need to be cognizant during
my continued research as I noticed differences in state and federal expectations and noted the
importance of hierarchy in such situations.
Contact Information:
Summer Pike
O19Summer@aol.com
231-744-5006

An Annotated Bibliography for Associate Health

Submitted by Summer Pike
Submitted to Remington Sprague, Chief Medical Officer
June 16, 2014

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. (2014). Careers. Retrieved from:

http://www.aaohn.org/careers/profession-of-occupational-environmental-healthnursing.html
This article reviews the history of occupational health nurses. Poor employee health cost
businesses a total of about $1 trillion dollars annually. Today occupational health nurses
have a variety of job responsibilities including: case management; counseling and crisis
intervention; health promotion and risk reduction; legal and regulatory compliance;
worker and workplace hazard detection. This article also discusses the type of education
requirements for occupational health nurses. The article summarizes what an
occupational health nurse does in the following statement, Occupational and
environmental health nurses (OHNs) have a combined knowledge of health and business
that they blend with healthcare expertise to balance the requirement for a safe and
healthful work environment with a healthy bottom line.
Breedlove, B. (2011, May 16). Investing in Prevention Improves Productivity and Reduces
Employer Costs. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/policy/resources.html
This article, which is located under the prevention and wellness resource heading,
discusses how supporting prevention type positions will give the employer a return on
their investment. When mentioning the return on investment the article makes a notable
distinction that the return is not only in dollars but in other areas as well like general
positives for staff, business, and the community. The article also mentions Johnson and
Johnson, who have campaigned for associate health through multiple areas. The Johnson
and Johnson company maybe another avenue to explore.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014, January 7). Guideline for Infection Control in
Healthcare Personnel. Retrieved from:
http://www.cdc.gov/hai/prevent/prevent_pubs.html
There is a lot of information regarding the vaccination and scheduling of immunizations
for healthcare personnel; this schedule varies from the normal recommended
vaccination schedule. Blood borne pathogens and the incidence risk for healthcare
workers is discussed, as well as, various other types of infections. Specific healthcare
personnel have varying degrees of risk; pregnancy, laboratory job, and emergency
response to name a few. The primary functions of the personnel health department is to
arrange for prompt diagnosis and management of job-related illnesses and to provide
appropriate post exposure prophylaxis after job-related exposures. It is the responsibility
of the health care organization to implement measures to prevent further transmission of
infection.

Center, O. H. (2014). Clinical Effectiveness/Quality/Employee Health. Retrieved from:

http://www.overlakehospital.org/careers/career-specialties/effectiveness-qualityemployee-health/
This is a hospital website that has multiple detailed job descriptions and hours worked for
what looks like an associate health program. Some of the job titles listed on the hospital
website include: Project Facilitation, Clinical Data Analyst, Clinical Data Abstraction,
Clinical Documentation Improvement, Registered Nurse Employee Health, Program
Assistant Employee Health, Licensed Practical Nurse Employee Health, and an
Infection Control Practitioner. There is also good content on new hire information and
accountability when it comes to the associates responsibility to complete the
requirements before being allowed to work. Overlake Medical Center is a 349-bed,
nonprofit regional medical center offering a full range of advanced medical services to
the Puget Sound Region. Overlake Medical Center employs just over 2,500 people and
has more than 1,000 active and courtesy physicians on staff.
Laura Anderko, R. P. (2012, December 12). Promoting Prevention Through the Affordable Care
Act: Workplace Wellness. Retrieved from:
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2012/12_0092.htm
The Affordable Care Act supports a focus on prevention and wellness through workplace
wellness initiatives. Declining workforce health contributes to an increase in healthrelated expenses, both in direct medical payments and indirect costs resulting from
absenteeism and presenteeism. This article also discusses how current workforce
conditions are changing. In companies, with a strong culture of health, employees are 3
times as likely as others to report taking action to improve their health.
Legislative Council, State of Michigan. (2014, June 3). Document - Act 154 of 1974. Retrieved
from:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28nslya045vk3s2t45clssii45%29%29/mileg.aspx?
page=print&objectname=mcl-Act-154-of-1974
An employer shall furnish to each employee, employment and a place of employment that
is free from recognized hazards that are causing, or are likely to cause, death or serious
physical harm to the employee. Multiple sections within the Michigan Occupational
Safety and Health Act that are pertinent to an associate health nurse role including:
408.1009 Legislative declaration, 408.1011 Duties of employer, 408.1017 Workplace
ergonomics; promulgation of rules prohibited; federal rules or guidelines; "workplace
ergonomics" defined, 408.1056 Occupational health education and training program, and
408.1061 Records and reports; notice of fatalities or hospitalizations; access of employee
to records; notice to employee of exposure and corrective action; federal requirements not
negated. The purpose for the workplace ergonomics section is to require a program or

practice that addresses musculoskeletal disorders that are caused by repetitive motion or
stress. Under section 408.1061 it states, An employer shall make, keep, and preserve
accurate and timely records and reports of work illnesses and injuries and report the
information to the appropriate department in a form and in accordance with rules
promulgated by the departments under authority of this act for the purpose of developing
information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational illnesses and injuries.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2014, January 17). Safety and Health Topics
Ergonomics. Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html
Work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are one of the leading causes of lost
workday injury and illness. In 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that
industries with the highest MSD rates include health care, transportation and
warehousing, retail and wholesale trade and construction. The following examples of
MSD were listed on the website: carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff injuries,
epicondylitis, trigger finger, muscle strains, and low back injuries. Nursing assistants and
registered nurses were ranked in the top 5 occupations that develop MSD. Ergonomics
helps lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity, and reduces the number and severity
of work-related MSD.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration-Directorate of Technical Support and
Emergency Management. (2010, December 2). Nursing in Occupational Health.
Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/dts/oohn/ohn.html
Occupational health registered nurses recognize and prevent health effects from
hazardous exposures, as well as, treat workers' injuries/illnesses. The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) website identifies areas of the occupational health
nurses scope, typical activities, and certification. The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health provides training in occupational health nursing. The American Board
for Occupational Health Nurses conducts a program of certification for qualified
occupational health nurses. The American Board for Occupational Health Nurses started
their program in 1972.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration-Directorate of Technical Support and
Emergency Management. (2013, December 3). Worker Safety in Hospitals. Retrieved
from: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hospitals/index.html
A hospital is one of the most hazardous places to work. In 2011 U.S. hospitals recorded
253,700 work-related injuries and illnesses, a rate of 6.8 work-related injuries, and
illnesses for every 100 full-time employees. This website offers a variety of support
topics focusing on worker safety in hospitals. The website gives examples of causes to
why hospitals are a hazardous place to work, in other words, helping understand the
problem. The website also discusses the need for a safety and health management system

and how it can help build a culture of safety, reduce injuries, and save money. The
website also mentions safe patient handling programs, policies, and equipment that can
help reduce the biggest cause of workplace injuries.
Prevention, P. f. (2009). Healthy Workforce 2010 and Beyond. Washington, DC, United States
of America.
Considering the impact that health status has on organizational performance employee
wellness is a critical factor to an organizations short- and long-term success. From 1999
to 2005 the average employer cost for health insurance rose from $1.60 to $2.59 per
employee per hour. By 2016 the number of workers aged 25 to 54 will have risen 2.4
percent from 2006 levels but the number of workers aged 55 and older will rise by 46.7
percent and will represent more than 22 percent of the labor force. Among companies
that offer health benefits many are likely to increase the amount workers contribute to
premiums (45 percent), increase deductible amounts (37 percent), increase office visit
copays (42 percent), or increase prescription drug premiums (41 percent).
Ronald Loeppke, M. M. (2010). Impact of the Prevention Plan on Employee Health Risk
Reduction. Population Health Management, 275-284.
The study summarizes how poor employee health impedes profitability by reducing
productivity. The study also discusses the tool they used to estimate the total healthrelated costs (medical + pharmacy + presenteeism + absenteeism costs) called the
Integrated Benefits Institute Health and Productivity Snapshot. The study also piloted a
prevention benefit program that identifies an individuals top health risks and designs a
customized personal prevention plan to reduce health risks. The study demonstrates that
The Prevention Plan reduces key employee health risk factors and effectively moves
employees to lower overall health risk categories.
State of Michigan. (2012, June 20). Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Policies and Procedures. Retrieved from: http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/dms/resultsmiosha.asp?docowner=MIOSHA&doccat1=&doccat2=Administration&doctitle=health&
Search=Search
This article covers rules and regulations specific to the Michigan Occupational Safety and
Health Administration and state employees. The article states, The Safety and Health
Policy of the State of Michigan is to administer its activities to achieve and maintain
protection for its employees, property, and those for whom it has a responsibility, thus
assuring efficient utilization of resources, minimizing liability, and advancing the public
service. The article also gives some examples of the roles and responsibilities for those
employed by the state. The article also discusses the evaluation of safety and health
management systems.

State of Michigan. (2013, May 24). MI Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs MIOSHA has developed a strategic plan to guide our resource strategies in helping to
protect worker safety and health in Michigan. Retrieved from:
http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-61256_11407_30928-37890--,00.html
This website has the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(MIOSHA) strategic plan and how it aligns with the Federal OSHA. Expectations,
benchmarking, and actions that need to be addressed by Michigan employers are on this
website. The MIOSHA Goals for FY 2014 - 2018 are also listed on the website. The
MIOSHA Goals for FY 2014 2018 are: help assure improved workplace safety and
health for all workers, as evidenced by fewer hazards, reduced exposures, and fewer
injuries, illnesses and fatalities; promote employer and worker awareness of, commitment
to, and involvement with safety and health to effect positive change in the workplace
culture; and strengthen public confidence through continued excellence in the
development and delivery of MIOSHAs programs and services.
State of Michigan. (2013, November). MI Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Recordkeeping & Statistics. Retrieved from:
http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-61256_11407_30929---,00.html
This website has data information that will be useful when presenting the current state of
Mercy Healths unmet need for an effective associate health program. The estimated
2012 total case incidence rate for each of the industry divisions ranged from 0.5 in the
finance and insurance industry to 5.8 in both the manufacturing and health care and social
assistance industry. State government hospitals reflected the next highest recordable case
incidence rate of 5.7. Coming in third was the local government with heavy and civil
engineering construction at a rate of 5.3.
State of Michigan. (2014, January). MI Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Case
and Demographic Characteristics for Work-related Injuries and Illnesses . Retrieved
from: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-61256_11407_30929-39924--,00.html
This website has case and demographic data information that will be useful when
presenting the current state of Mercy Healths unmet need for an effective associate
health program. 26,840 injuries and illnesses that required days away from work beyond
the day of the incident were reported in private industry workplaces during 2012.
Workers between the ages of 35-54 accounted for almost half of the total injury and
illness cases during 2012. Forty-one percent of the injury and illness cases involved
workers who had been on the job for more than five years. Sprains, strains, tears made up
over 41% of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in 2012.