University Employee Occupational Health Clinic - Environment, Health and Safety

Doctor asking questions — Photo courtesy of the UNC-Chapel Hill Multimedia Library.

The University Employee Occupation Health Clinic (UEOHC) supports the research, teaching and clinical missions of the University in various ways, including medical oversight of research protocols, international travel programs and clinical occupational health services. Additionally, UEOHC serves as a practicum site for undergraduate nurses and preventative medicine fellows.

As part of the School of Nursing course N470: Public Health Nursing, undergraduate nursing students can spend a semester working at the clinic. In this setting, nursing students participate in the care of the faculty and staff of the University while gaining insight into the need for a diverse group of health and safety professionals required to run a successful occupational health and safety program. Fellows from the UNC Preventative Medicine Residency program also rotate at the UEOHC as an important part of their clinical training. Trainees also complete at least one quality improvement project that focuses on building the capacity of occupational health services and improving customer service to University employees.

The American Thoracic Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America recently revised their recommendations for evaluating patients at risk for latent or active tuberculosis infection. The UEOHC is reviewing this new guidance to ensure that these clinical practice guidelines meet the needs of the various clinical and research stakeholders on campus.

Performance measurement is a critical part of the EHS management system. Education, customer service and internal processes are the three most essential components of our work. The chart below indicates the performance in these areas over a five-year period with Level Four representing optimum performance. The adjacent tab shows the specific performance activities and the level of that performance for 2016.

Components, Years and Level Completed
Education					Customer Service					Internal Processes
2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
1	1	1	2	1	2	3	3	4	3	1	2	2	2	2

Education

Reviewed and implemented CDC guidelines and procedures for providing Smallpox vaccinations. (Level One)
Precepted Senior Nursing Student from the Accelerated BSN program. (Level One)
Attended training on BSL3 programs at UNC. (Level One)

Customer Service

Fit-tested and provided consultative services for 581 employees for the University’s Respiratory Protection program. (Level Three)
Provided occupational health medical services for 4893 employees. (Level Two)
Administered smallpox vaccinations to researchers. (Level Two)
Designed and implemented a new tuberculosis screening process for HASMIS and EHS compliance portal. (Level Two)
Reviewed 168 employee files to verify if chest x-rays were completed under the new TB screening paradigm. (Level One)
Provided on-site medical services for Facilities Summer Splash event. (Level One)
Provided on-site flu shots for Carolina Living and Learning, Chancellor’s office, and various other off-site medical locations. (Level One)

Internal Processes

Reviewed 1273 IACUC Animal Handler Symptom reviews. (Level Two)
Reviewed, interviewed, and hired a UEOHC Nurse Practitioner. (Level One)
Consulted with the chair of Physical Medicine and Rehab and staff to discuss Medical Director services and changes for the UEOHC. (Level One)
New part-time Assistant Medical Director started giving the UEOHC an equivalent 1 FTE. (Level One)