Health Care Industry: Contemporary Considerations

Abstract

Individuals seek health care to preserve or improve their health status, so there may be the presumption that the health care workplace is inherently safe and relatively free from possible hazards. But intertwined with the provision of modern medical care is possible exposures to a wide variety of potentially hazardous conditions and agents. Industrial hygienists providing services to this unique work environment must develop a thorough understanding of the variety of risks present to effectively anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control the hazards. The types of hazards possibly present in the typical health care work setting (whether in‐patient, out‐patient, or home delivery) are discussed along with suggested concurrent prudent control measures, all within the context of providing quality health care for patients, while protecting workers.