The implementation of medical monitoring programs following potentially hazardous exposures: a medico-legal perspective

Abstract

Context: Clinical toxicologists may be called upon to determine the appropriateness of medical monitoring following documented or purported exposures to toxicants in the occupational, environmental, and medical settings. Methods: We searched the MEDLINE database using the Ovid V R search engine for the following terms cross-referenced to the MeSH database: ("occupational exposures" OR "environmental exposures") AND ("physiologic monitoring" OR "population surveillance"). The titles and abstracts of the resulted articles were reviewed for relevance. We expanded our search to include non-peer-reviewed publications and gray literature and resources using the same terms as utilized in the MEDLINE search. There were a total of 48 relevant peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications. Publications excluded contained no information relevant to medical monitoring following potentially harmful toxicologic exposures, discussed only worker screening/surveillance and/or population biomonitoring, contained redundant information, or were superseded by more recent information.

The Factors That Influence Chemotherapy Exposure Among Nurses: An Integrative Review

“…Examples of risks associated with the implementation of these programs are the side effects of the screening tests and unnecessary early treatment on the workers and the time and monetary costs of these programs on the industry (Vearrier & Greenberg, 2017). However, consensus on the benefits of these programs is present as a preventive public health activity (Vearrier & Greenberg, 2017). In the context of oncology nurses who regularly handle several types of hazardous chemotherapy drugs at work, these programs are essential to detect and treat early signs of chemotherapy exposure (USP, 2020).…”

“…Often, the decision to perform medical monitoring programs is based on a risk-benefit analysis. Examples of risks associated with the implementation of these programs are the side effects of the screening tests and unnecessary early treatment on the workers and the time and monetary costs of these programs on the industry (Vearrier & Greenberg, 2017). However, consensus on the benefits of these programs is present as a preventive public health activity (Vearrier & Greenberg, 2017).…”

What Remains Unsolved in Sub-African Environmental Exposure Information Disclosure: A Review

“…Screening tests, health effects, and natural history should all be included in the information regarding proper medical monitoring in public health investigations regarding the potential harm or benefits from exposure. Arguably, Sub-Saharan Africa has not made the decision to limit medical exposure to medically harmful substances, or to move beyond preventive medical efforts while improving overall disability, morbidity, and mortality (Vearrier and Greenberg 2017).…”

The intelligent monitoring method for bidirectional referral information resource in hospital based on big data

“…After the introduction of the new medical reform, China's attention to community health services is increasing. Two-way referral is an important part of the reform of community health services, which has become the focus of the medical industry in China (Yu and Sun, 2017;Tomasic et al, 2018;Vearrier and Greenberg, 2017). A Bi-Directional Referral System "considers both the information going from the healthcare system to the referred community program or resource" (e.g., a CDC recognised lifestyle change program or a diabetes self-management education program) and the information returning from that program to the healthcare system.…”