Last data update: Apr 22, 2024. (Total: 46599 publications since 2009)
Records 1-12 (of 12 Records) |
Query Trace: Casey ML [original query] |
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Pneumoconiosis incidence and prevalence among US Medicare beneficiaries, 1999-2019
Kurth L , Casey ML , Mazurek JM , Blackley DJ . Am J Ind Med 2023 66 (10) 831-841 BACKGROUND: Pneumoconiosis is a group of occupational lung diseases caused by dust and fiber exposure. This study analyzes Medicare claims to estimate the burden of pneumoconiosis among fee-for-service (FFS; Medicare Parts A and B) Medicare beneficiaries during 1999-2019 in the United States. METHODS: Claim and enrollment information from 81 million continuously enrolled FFS Medicare beneficiaries were analyzed. Beneficiaries with any pneumoconiosis and cause-specific pneumoconiosis (e.g., asbestosis, silicosis) were identified using three case definitions (broad, intermediate, and narrow) with varying diagnostic criteria based on claim International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification (ICD-CM) diagnosis codes and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes. Results are presented as ranges of values for the three case definitions. RESULTS: The 21-year prevalence range for any pneumoconiosis was 345,383-677,361 (412-833 per 100,000 beneficiaries) using the three case definitions. The highest prevalence was among those ≥75 years of age, males, Whites, and North American Natives. Most claims (70.0%-72.5%) included an ICD-CM diagnosis code for asbestosis. The broad pneumoconiosis prevalence rate increased significantly (p < 0.001) during 2002-2009 by 3%-10% annually and declined significantly by 3%-5% annually starting in 2009. The average annual broad incidence rate declined significantly by 7% annually during 2009-2019. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the decline in rate for any pneumoconiosis among Medicare beneficiaries, which is primarily attributed to a decline in asbestosis, pneumoconiosis is prevalent among FFS Medicare beneficiaries. |
Exploring perceptions of U.S. Healthcare & Public Safety Workers at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Haas EJ , Casey ML , Furek A , Moore SM . Prof Saf 2022 67 (5) 16-21 There is a gap in research associated with emerging infectious diseases and the role that individual perceptions have on attitudes and health-protective behaviors. NIOSH researchers sought to understand healthcare and emergency medical services (EMS) workers’ perceived risks toward SARS-CoV-2 and what factors may significantly influence subsequent health-protective behaviors. Between March and May 2020, 122 healthcare and EMS workers completed an assessment on a mobile safety application provided by their workplace. The results inform organizational practices regarding COVID-19 information sharing. First, it is important that all employees have access to information about respiratory protection as well as organizational resources such as their updated respiratory protection plans that may influence health-protective behaviors at work. Second, messaging for employees with individualistic attitudes may significantly differ and more research should be done to determine whether science-based consensus messages are the most effective risk communication strategy. |
Understanding filtering facepiece respirators
Andrews AS , Kiederer M , Casey ML . Am J Nurs 2022 122 (2) 21-23 How to ensure adequate protection. |
Lessons Learned from the Development and Demonstration of a PPE Inventory Monitoring System for US Hospitals
Haas EJ , Casey ML , Furek A , Aldrich K , Ragsdale T , Crosswy S , Moore SM . Health Secur 2021 19 (6) 582-591 An international system should be established to support personal protective equipment (PPE) inventory monitoring, particularly within the healthcare industry. In this article, the authors discuss the development and 15-week deployment of a proof-of-concept prototype that included the use of a Healthcare Trust Data Platform to secure and transmit PPE-related data. Seventy-eight hospitals participated, including 66 large hospital systems, 11 medium-sized hospital systems, and a single hospital. Hospitals reported near-daily inventory information for N95 respirators, surgical masks, and face shields, ultimately providing 159 different PPE model numbers. Researchers cross-checked the data to ensure the PPE could be accurately identified. In cases where the model number was inaccurately reported, researchers corrected the numbers whenever possible. Of the PPE model numbers reported, 74.2% were verified-60.5% of N95 respirators, 40.0% of face shields, and 84.0% of surgical masks. The authors discuss the need to standardize how PPE is reported, possible aspects of a PPE data standard, and standards groups who may assist with this effort. Having such PPE data standards would enable better communication across hospital systems and assist in emergency preparedness efforts during pandemics or natural disasters. |
Tuberculosis screening, testing, and treatment of U.S. health care personnel: Recommendations from the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association and CDC, 2019
Sosa LE , Njie GJ , Lobato MN , Bamrah Morris S , Buchta W , Casey ML , Goswami ND , Gruden M , Hurst BJ , Khan AR , Kuhar DT , Lewinsohn DM , Mathew TA , Mazurek GH , Reves R , Paulos L , Thanassi W , Will L , Belknap R . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019 68 (19) 439-443 The 2005 CDC guidelines for preventing Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission in health care settings include recommendations for baseline tuberculosis (TB) screening of all U.S. health care personnel and annual testing for health care personnel working in medium-risk settings or settings with potential for ongoing transmission (1). Using evidence from a systematic review conducted by a National Tuberculosis Controllers Association (NTCA)-CDC work group, and following methods adapted from the Guide to Community Preventive Services (2,3), the 2005 CDC recommendations for testing U.S. health care personnel have been updated and now include 1) TB screening with an individual risk assessment and symptom evaluation at baseline (preplacement); 2) TB testing with an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) or a tuberculin skin test (TST) for persons without documented prior TB disease or latent TB infection (LTBI); 3) no routine serial TB testing at any interval after baseline in the absence of a known exposure or ongoing transmission; 4) encouragement of treatment for all health care personnel with untreated LTBI, unless treatment is contraindicated; 5) annual symptom screening for health care personnel with untreated LTBI; and 6) annual TB education of all health care personnel. |
Silicosis prevalence and incidence among Medicare beneficiaries
Casey ML , Mazurek JM . Am J Ind Med 2019 62 (3) 183-191 INTRODUCTION: Existing epidemiologic information on silicosis relies on mortality data. METHODS: We analyzed health insurance claims and enrollment information from 49 923 987 fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries aged >/=65 from 1999 to 2014. Three different definitions were developed to identify silicosis cases and results are presented as ranges of values for the three definitions. RESULTS: Among FFS beneficiaries, 10 026-19 696 fit the silicosis case definitions (16-year prevalence: 20.1-39.5 per 100 000) with the highest prevalence among North American Natives (87.2-213.6 per 100 000) and those in New Mexico (83.9-203.4 per 100 000). The annual average prevalence had a significant (P < 0.05) 2-5% annual decline from 2005 to 2014. The average annual number of incident cases had a significant 3-16% annual decline from 2007 to 2014. CONCLUSIONS: Silicosis is a prevalent disease among Medicare beneficiaries aged >/=65, with variation across the country. Morbidity data from health insurance claims can provide a more complete picture of silicosis burden. |
Evaluation of high blood pressure and obesity among US coal miners participating in the Enhanced Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program
Casey ML , Fedan KB , Edwards N , Blackley DJ , Halldin CN , Wolfe AL , Laney AS . J Am Soc Hypertens 2017 11 (8) 541-545 Since 2005, the Enhanced Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (ECWHSP) has offered respiratory examinations to coal miners in a mobile examination unit. As little is known about the cardiovascular health of coal miners, we describe the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) and obesity among ECWHSP participants. During 2015, 1402 ECWHSP health examinations were performed. The prevalence of BP consistent with hypertension (systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg), prehypertension (systolic BP 120-139 mm Hg or diastolic BP 80-89 mm Hg), and hypertensive crisis (systolic BP ≥ 180 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 110 mm Hg) were calculated and compared with the US adult population using standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs). Most participants were male (N = 1317, 94%), White (N = 1303, 93%) and non-Hispanic (N = 1316, 94%). Thirty-one percent (N = 440) of participants had BP in the hypertensive range and 87% (N = 1215) were overweight/obese. Twenty-four participants (2%) had a BP reading consistent with a hypertensive crisis. Prevalence of obesity (52%, SMR = 1.52, 95% confidence interval = 1.41-1.64) and BP consistent with hypertension (31%, SMR = 1.60, 95% confidence interval = 1.45-1.76) was higher than the US adult population.The prevalence of obesity and BP consistent with hypertension in this population of coal miners is substantial, indicating a need for cardiovascular health interventions in coal mining communities. |
Health problems and disinfectant product exposure among staff at a large multispecialty hospital
Casey ML , Hawley B , Edwards N , Cox-Ganser JM , Cummings KJ . Am J Infect Control 2017 45 (10) 1133-1138 BACKGROUND: Hospital staff expressed health concerns after a surface disinfectant product containing hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and acetic acid was introduced. We sought to determine if this product posed a health hazard. METHODS: An interviewer-administered questionnaire on work and health characteristics was completed by 163 current staff. Symptoms that improved away from work were considered work-related. Forty-nine air samples were taken for hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and acetic acid. Prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated using Poisson regression, and standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) were calculated using nationally representative data. RESULTS: Product users reported higher prevalence of work-related wheeze and watery eyes than nonusers (P < .05). Workers in the department with the highest air measurements had significantly higher prevalence of watery eyes (PR, 2.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-7.05) than those in departments with lower air measurements, and they also had a >3-fold excess of current asthma (SMR, 3.47; 95% CI, 1.48-8.13) compared with the U.S. POPULATION: CONCLUSIONS: This disinfectant product was associated with mucous membrane and respiratory health effects. Risks of mucous membrane irritation and asthma in health care workers should be considered in development of disinfection protocols to protect patients from hospital-acquired infections. Identification of optimal protocols that reduce worker exposures while maintaining patient safety is needed. |
Respirator use among US farm operators with asthma: results from the 2011 Farm and Ranch Safety Survey
Casey ML , Mazurek JM . J Agromedicine 2017 22 (2) 78-88 OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the national prevalence of respirator use among farm operators with farm work-related asthma and factors associated with respirator use. METHODS: The authors examined the 2011 Farm and Ranch Safety Survey, a national survey collected from 11,210 actively farming farm operators in the United States. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPORs) of respirator use were calculated by demographic characteristics, farm characteristics, asthma characteristics and selected exposures and hazards. RESULTS: Among the estimated 2.2 million farm operators in 2011, 35.7% reported using a respirator in the past 12 months. Respirator use was significantly (p<.05) associated with age, marital status, sex, smoking status, farm value of sales, farm type, farm acreage and geographic region. Operators who work with pesticides were 3.5 times more likely to use respirator than those who did not work with pesticides (p<.0001). Among those with current asthma, 60.8% of operators with farm work-related asthma used respirators compared to 44.4% of operators with non-farm work-related asthma (p=.03). Farm operators with farm work-related asthma who had an asthma attack at work were 11.3 times more likely to report respirator use than those who did not have an asthma attack at work (p=.03). CONCLUSIONS: Personal protective equipment, including respirators, is an approach to reducing respiratory exposures in agricultural settings, in particular among those with farm work-related asthma. Education for respirator use and evaluation for respirator tolerance should be considered. |
Notes from the Field: Respiratory Symptoms and Skin Irritation Among Hospital Workers Using a New Disinfection Product - Pennsylvania, 2015
Hawley B , Casey ML , Cox-Ganser JM , Edwards N , Fedan KB , Cummings KJ . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016 65 (15) 400-1 In March 2014, a new disinfection product, consisting of hydrogen peroxide, peroxyacetic acid, and acetic acid, was introduced at a Pennsylvania hospital to aid in the control of health care-associated infections. The product is an Environmental Protection Agency-registered non-bleach sporicide advertised as a one-step cleaner, disinfectant, and deodorizer. According to the manufacturer's safety data sheet, the product requires no personal protective equipment when it is diluted with water by an automated dispenser before use. On January 30, 2015, CDC's National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOSH) received a confidential employee request to conduct a health hazard evaluation at the hospital. The request cited concerns about exposure of hospital environmental services staff members to the product and reported symptoms among persons who had used the product that included eye and nasal problems, asthma-like symptoms, shortness of breath, skin problems, wheeze, chest tightness, and cough. |
Potential exposure to Ebola virus from body fluids due to ambulance compartment permeability in Sierra Leone
Casey ML , Nguyen DT , Idriss B , Bennett S , Dunn A , Martin S . Prehosp Disaster Med 2015 30 (6) 1-3 INTRODUCTION: Prehospital care, including patient transport, is integral in the patient care process during the Ebola response. Transporting ill persons from the community to Ebola care facilities can stop community spread. Vehicles used for patient transport in infectious disease outbreaks should be evaluated for adequate infection prevention and control. PROBLEM: An ambulance driver in Sierra Leone attributed his Ebola infection to exposure to body fluids that leaked from the patient compartment to the driver cabin of the ambulance. METHODS: A convenience sample of 14 vehicles used to transport patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola in Sierra Leone were assessed. The walls separating the patient compartment and driver cabin in these vehicles were evaluated for structural integrity and potential pathways for body fluid leakage. Ambulance drivers and other staff were asked to describe their cleaning and decontamination practices. Ambulance construction and design standards from the National Fire Protection Association, US General Services Administration, and European Committee on Standardization (CEN) were reviewed. RESULTS: Many vehicles used by ambulance staff in Sierra Leone were not traditional ambulances, but were pick-up trucks or sport-utility vehicles that had been assembled or modified for patient transport. The wall separating the patient compartment and driver cabin in many vehicles did not have a waterproof seal around the edges. Staff responsible for cleaning and disinfection did not thoroughly clean bulk body fluids with disposable towels before disinfection of the patient compartment. Pressure from chlorine sprayers used in the decontamination process may have pushed body fluids from the patient compartment into the driver cabin through gaps around the wall. Ambulance design standards do not require a waterproof seal between the patient compartment and driver cabin. Sealing the wall by tightening or replacing existing bolts is recommended, followed by caulking of all seams with a sealant. CONCLUSION: Waterproof separation between the patient compartment and driver cabin may be essential for patient transport vehicles in infectious disease outbreaks, especially when chlorine sprayers are used for decontamination or in resource-limited settings where cleaning supplies may be limited. |
The importance of clinical surveillance in detecting Legionnaires' disease outbreaks: a large outbreak in a hospital with a Legionella disinfection system, Pennsylvania, 2011-2012
Demirjian A , Lucas CE , Garrison LE , Kozak-Muiznieks NA , States S , Brown EW , Wortham JM , Beaudoin A , Casey ML , Marriott C , Ludwig AM , Sonel AF , Muder RR , Hicks LA . Clin Infect Dis 2015 60 (11) 1596-602 BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated Legionnaires' disease (LD) is a preventable pneumonia with a 30% case-fatality rate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of healthcare-associated LD. We characterized an outbreak and evaluated contributing factors in a hospital using copper-silver ionization for prevention of Legionella growth in water. METHODS: Through medical chart review at a large, urban tertiary care hospital in November 2012, we identified patients diagnosed with LD during 2011-2012. Laboratory-confirmed cases were categorized as definite, probable, and not healthcare-associated based on time spent in the hospital during the incubation period. We performed an environmental assessment of the hospital, including collection of samples for Legionella culture. Clinical and environmental isolates were compared by genotyping. Copper and silver ion concentrations were measured in 11 water samples. RESULTS: We identified five definite and 17 probable healthcare-associated LD cases; six case-patients died. Of 25 locations (mostly potable water) where environmental samples were obtained for Legionella-specific culture, all but two showed Legionella growth; eleven isolates were identical to three clinical isolates by sequence-based typing. Mean copper and silver concentrations were at or above the manufacturer's recommended target for Legionella control. Despite this, all samples where copper and silver concentrations were tested showed Legionella growth. CONCLUSIONS: This outbreak was linked to the hospital's potable water system and highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for healthcare-associated LD, even in the setting of a long-term disinfection program. |
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