Evaluation of a Model Training Program for Respiratory–Protection Preparedness at Local Health Departments

Respiratory-protection programs have had limited application in local health departments and have mostly focused on protecting employees against exposure to tuberculosis (TB). The need to provide the public health workforce with effective respiratory protection has, however, been underscored by rece...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental health 2006-04, Vol.68 (8), p.38-42
Main Authors: Alfano-Sobsey, Edie, Kennedy, Bobby, Beck, Frank, Combs, Brian, Kady, Wendy, Ramsey, Steven, Stockweather, Allison, Service, Will
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bioterrorism
Company business management
Educational aspects
Environmental health
Environmental policy
FEATURES
Floodwater
Health care administration
Health Care Surveys
Health facilities
Human resources
Humans
Hurricanes
Industrial training
Infectious diseases
Job training
Management
Mechanical ventilators
North Carolina
Occupational Exposure
Occupational hazards
Occupational health
Occupational safety
Program Development
Program Evaluation
Public health
Public Health Administration
Questionnaires
Respiratory therapy
Safety and security measures
Teaching
Training
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis - prevention & control
Wellness programs
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Summary:Respiratory-protection programs have had limited application in local health departments and have mostly focused on protecting employees against exposure to tuberculosis (TB). The need to provide the public health workforce with effective respiratory protection has, however, been underscored by recent concerns about emerging infectious diseases, bioterrorism attacks, drug-resistant microbes, and environmental exposures to microbial allergens (as in recent hurricane flood waters). Furthermore, OSHA has revoked the TB standard traditionally followed by local health departments, replacing it with a more stringent regulation. The additional OSHA requirements may place increased burdens on health departments with limited resources and time. For these reasons, the North Carolina Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response and industrial hygienists of the Public Health Regional Surveillance Teams have developed a training program to facilitate implementation of respiratory protection programs at local health departments. To date, more than 1,400 North Carolina health department employees have been properly fit-tested for respirator use and have received training in all aspects of respiratory protection. This article gives an overview of the development and evaluation of the program. The training approach presented here can serve as a model that other health departments and organizations can use in implementing similar respiratory-protection programs.
ISSN:0022-0892