Healthcare industry risks on the job

Being in the health care industry is not always safe. Some people are very surprised when they realize this after taking a job in this field. It is better to be well informed of the risks.

In a time when HIV has made people aware of the dangers faced by health care workers, measures are being taken to make job seekers know what they are getting into. There is more information in schools as to blood related diseases so there is some awareness. Anyone wanting to be in a heath care job has reason to be concerned.

There are 18-35 health care workers who contract HIV through accidental needle pricks each year according to the International Health Care Worker Safety Center. There are other risks like loss of hearing from ambulance sirens and strained backs from lifting patients.

The situation has improved in recent years because safety procedures have reduced the job risks. The precautions show up in health statistics. About 400 U.S. health care workers contracted hepatitis B in 1995, compared to 17,000 in 1983, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a Atlanta.

Many young people that are considering this kind of career are very concerned about the risks, so they take the initiative to learn all that they can about how to prevent themselves from being harmed. As a patient in a doctor or dentist office you can take your own precautions.

The dentist should always wear disposable gloves and sterilize the dental tools after each patient. Ask your dentist if he sterilizes his dental tools and what kind of procedure he uses. Most dentists will have this posted somewhere in his office. If not, then ask.

Your doctor should always wear disposable gloves during any invasive procedure or when there is a open wound, during injections and blood work. All needles should be new and disposable. If something looks suspicious to you, then don't hesitate to ask questions.