{"id":9864,"date":"2025-03-01T14:01:19","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T19:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/hweemedical\/"},"modified":"2025-03-06T14:07:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T19:07:33","slug":"hweemedical","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/hsp\/hweemedical\/","title":{"rendered":"hsp\/hweemedical ~  Healthy Workplaces &#8211; Employees &#8211; Medical Professions  &#8211; Delaware Health and Social Services &#8211; State of Delaware"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-swiftype-index=\"true\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  <br>\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  <div class=\"container\" id=\"main_header\">\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <!-- BEGIN readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve\" id=\"readspeaker_button1\">\r\n\r\n      <a accesskey=\"L\" class=\"rsbtn_play\" href=\"https:\/\/app-na.readspeaker.com\/cgi-bin\/rsent?customerid=7262&#038;lang=en_us&#038;readid=main_content&#038;url=https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/hsp\/hweemedical.html\" title=\"Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker\">\r\n\r\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_left rsimg rspart\"><span class=\"rsbtn_text\"><span>Listen<\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n      <\/a>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <!-- END readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n    <header class=\"pull-left\">\r\n\r\n      <h1><!--[type=EDIT name=\"Page Title\"]-->Delaware Healthy Workplaces<!--[END]--><\/h1>\r\n\r\n    <\/header>\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n  <\/div><br>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n  <div class=\"container\">\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"row\">\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"col-md-3\" id=\"leftCol\">\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\">\r\n\r\n          <div class=\"panel sectionmenu_panel\">\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\">\r\n\r\n              <p class=\"panel-title\"><a class=\"agency_nav\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapseOne\"><strong><i class=\"fa fa-align-justify fa-fw\"><\/i> Public Health Menu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" id=\"collapseOne\">\r\n\r\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" id=\"clf_nav\">\r\n\r\n                  <ul class=\"nav nav-stacked nav-pills-clf\" id=\"agency_sidebar\">\r\n    <li><a href=\"\/dph\/\"><h2>Home <i class=\"fa fa-home fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a><\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#agency_sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#HomeMenu\"><h2>About <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"HomeMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/about.html\">About DPH<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/sections.html\">Sections &#038; Programs<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ofclocations.html\">Office Locations<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/contact.html\">Contact Info<\/a><\/li>\r\n      \r\n        <li><a href=\"\/calendars.html\" target=\"_blank\">Calendar<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#ServicesMenu\"><h2>Services <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"ServicesMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesaz.html\">A-Z Services<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/environmental.html\">Air &#038; Water Quality<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ss\/vitalstats.html\">Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/clinics.html\">Clinics<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthdatastats.html\">Health Data &#038; Statistics<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/emsps.html\">Emergency Preparedness<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthandwellness.html\">Health &#038; Wellness<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthyhomes.html\">Healthy Homes<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthywp.html\">Healthy Workplaces<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/lab\/labs.html\">Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/feir.html\">Restaurant Inspections<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/screen.html\">Screening and Testing<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/chca\/dphwichominf01.html\">WIC<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesadd.html\">Additional Services<\/a><\/li><li>\r\n      <\/li><\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#InformationMenu\"><h2>Information <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n        <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"InformationMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">A-Z Fact Sheets<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/pubreportsaz.html\">A-Z Publications &#038; Reports<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/diseasesandconditions.html\">Diseases &#038; Conditions<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/faq.html\">FAQ&#8217;s<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/alerts.html\">Health Alerts<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthylifestyles.html\">Healthy Lifestyles<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hipaa.html\">HIPAA<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/regs.html\">Regulations<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/forms.html\">Request Forms<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/links.html\">Links &#038; Resources<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"http:\/\/delaware.gov\/help\/foia_request.shtml\">FOIA Request Form<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li><a id=\"SocialMenuHeader\"><h2>Connect <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-o-up fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul id=\"SocialMenu\">\r\n        <li class=\"facebook\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DEPublicHealth\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Division of Public Health Facebook Page\"><i class=\"fa fa-facebook-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Facebook<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"twitter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Delaware_DHSS\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Delaware Health and Social Services Twitter Account\"><i class=\"fa fa-twitter-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Twitter<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <!-- <li class=\"googleplus\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-google-plus-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Google +<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"flickr\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-flickr fa-lg\"><\/i> Flickr<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"youtube\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-youtube-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Youtube<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"instagram\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram fa-lg\"><\/i> Instagram<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"linkedin\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Linkedin<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"pinterest\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-pinterest-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Pinterest<\/a><\/li> -->\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n  <\/ul>\r\n\r\n              <\/div>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n          <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <\/div><br>\r\n\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"col-md-9\" id=\"main_content\"> \r\n\r\n  <!--[type=HTMLEDIT name=\"Content\"]-->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Healthy Workplaces - Employees - Medical Professions\" class=\"img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/img\/hweehdrmedical.jpg\">\r\n\r\n\r\n<table class=\"table table-condensed table-hover\">\r\n\r\n\r\n  <tbody><tr class=\"text-left\"><td>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Worker Hazards in Medical Settings\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <p>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Medical professionals are exposed to a wider variety of work-related hazards than most. Because they work around and with hazards\r\n\r\n\r\n        in their industry, and deal with the injuries and illnesses caused by hazards in other industries. Potential illnesses and injuries\r\n\r\n\r\n        can occur through:\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>Preparation and administration of chemicals, radiation and <a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/hwtopics.html#drugs\">hazardous\r\n\r\n\r\n        drugs<\/a>.\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>Working with the ill and injured.\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>Mental and physical strain of working in a stressful environment.\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>CANCER AND CHEMICAL EXPOSURE:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Exposure to the mercury released from broken sphygmanometers and thermometers.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Potential for exposure to anesthetic gases and other <a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/hwtopics.html#drugs\">hazardous\r\n\r\n\r\n            drugs<\/a>.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>RISK FOR INFECTION AND INJURY:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Working with ill and injured patients can increase the risk of disease transmission.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Handling needles and other medical instruments can increase risk of sharps injury.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Exposure to biological and chemical agents on contaminated patients.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>ALLERGIC REACTIONS AND SKIN IRRITATION:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Latex products, such as ordinary exam gloves, can cause allergic reactions.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Handling chemicals and products that can cause contact dermatitis.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Preventing Exposure and Lowering Your Risk\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>EDUCATION:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Know the proper procedures for the equipment you use and <em>Follow Them!<\/em>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Review the MSDS Sheets for the chemicals and products you work with.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Use established infection control procedures to protect yourself and those around you.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>AWARENESS:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Inspect your work area and equipment regularly.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Ensure that pharmaceuticals and hazardous substances are properly secured.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Report any problems with chemicals or equipment, such as spills or breakdowns, immediately.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>PROTECTION:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for each activity.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Ensure your own health with regular physicals and up-to-date vaccinations.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/ul><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/hweemedical.html\"><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Hyperlink to Healthy Workplaces - Employees- Medical Professions\" class=\"img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/03\/hweeiconback.gif\"><\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      &#8211;<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/hweehealthcare.html\">Back to Healthy Workplaces &#8211; Medical Professions<\/a>.<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <p class=\"smalltext\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.adobe.com\/products\/acrobat\/readstep2.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Download Adobe Acrobat Reader\" height=\"21\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/dhss\/img\/getacro60.gif\" width=\"60\"><\/a> Please note: Some of the files available on this page are in Adobe PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.  A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded directly from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.adobe.com\/products\/acrobat\/readstep2.html\">Adobe <\/a>. If you are using an assistive technology unable to read Adobe PDF, please either view the corresponding text only version (if available) or visit Adobe&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/access.adobe.com\">Accessibility Tools page<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/tbody><\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n<table class=\"table table-condensed table-hover\">\r\n\r\n\r\n  <tbody><tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <td class=\"text-right\">\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Healthy Workplaces- Employees - Medical Professions\" class=\"img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/img\/hweehidental.jpg\"><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <tr class=\"text-center\">\r\n\r\n\r\n    <td>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Contact the Office of<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Occupational Health\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/h3><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:dhss_dph_hsp@delaware.gov?subject=Occupational%20Health\">By E-Mail<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      &#8212;&#8211;<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/oh.html\">OH Website<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      &#8212;&#8211;<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/pdf\/hwfillableform.pdf\">Online Form<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      [ <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/txt\/hwfillableform.txt\">Text of Online Form<\/a> ]<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      &#8212;&#8211;<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Delaware Helpline<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      1-800-464-HELP<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <td>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Important<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Links\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/h3><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.osha.gov\/SLTC\/etools\/hospital\/index.html\">OSHA eTool &#8211; Hospitals<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      __________<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.osha.gov\/SLTC\/etools\/nursinghome\/index.html\">OSHA eTool &#8211; Nursing Homes<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      __________<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/ncidod\/dhqp\/index.html\">Infection Control in<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Healthcare Settings<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      __________<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/niosh\/topics\/hazdrug\/\">CDC &#8211; Hazardous Drugs<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <td>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Chemicals in<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Medical Professions\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/h3><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Disinfectants<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      &#8212;&#8211;<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Glutaraldehyde<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      &#8212;&#8211;<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a class=\"anchors_link\" href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/hwtopics.html#drugs\">Hazardous Drugs<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      &#8212;&#8211;<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Medical Gases<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      &#8212;&#8211;<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Mercury<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      &#8212;&#8211;<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Pesticides\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/tbody><\/table>  <!--[END]-->\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <\/div><!-- \/container -->\r\n\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen Delaware Healthy Workplaces Public Health Menu Home About About DPH Sections &#038; Programs Office Locations Contact Info Calendar Services A-Z Services Air &#038; Water Quality Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records Clinics Health Data &#038; Statistics Emergency Preparedness Health &#038; Wellness Healthy Homes Healthy Workplaces Laboratory Restaurant Inspections Screening and Testing WIC Additional Services Information [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":9779,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9864","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9864","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9864"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9864\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11871,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9864\/revisions\/11871"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}