• Login
  • Contact
  • COVID-19
  • Share
  • Facebook
  • Vimeo
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
MedcorMedcorMedcorMedcor
  • About
    • Medcor Health Navigation
    • Leadership
    • Wellness
    • Mission, Vision and Values
  • Services
    • Onsite Clinic
    • Telehealth
    • Safety
    • Support Services
  • Resources
    • Health Tips
    • Insights
    • Technology
  • Careers
    • Culture
    • Equal Employment and Diversity

Medical Surveillance

    Home Health Tips Medical Surveillance
    Next Previous
    Medical Surveillance Fundamentals

    Medical Surveillance

    By Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C, Medcor Provider | Comments are Closed | 21 October, 2020 0

    Medical surveillance is the systematic approach your employer takes to ensure a safe workplace that is free of occupational (job-related) hazards. This approach evaluates the effectiveness of safety measures that are in place to keep employees from adverse health effects related to potential hazards at work. Medical surveillance programs focus on prevention. Prevention is a critical component of effective worksite health and safety programs and training. Medical surveillance helps employers and employees see that the safety measures that have been put in place are effective; it also alerts businesses if there is a problem so that corrective actions can be taken.

    What kinds of exposures does medical surveillance monitor?

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established numerous standards that govern medical surveillance of potential physical or chemical hazards in general industry, construction, and maritime. Surveillance programs may monitor exposure to hazards like occupational noise levels, crystalline silica dust, cotton dust, blood-borne pathogens, hazardous waste, and toxic substances (arsenic, asbestos, coke oven emissions, hexavalent chromium, lead, etc.).

    Some employers may have site-specific surveillance programs unique to their organizations that monitor other potential hazards or unregulated chemicals.

    What types of screenings occur during medical surveillance?

    Medical screening is the clinical aspect of medical surveillance. Medical screenings may consist of interviews, a physical exam, blood or other lab tests, lung function tests, vision screening, hearing tests, or diagnostic testing such as EKGs or x-rays. The employer’s health and safety team, along with the help of an industrial hygienist, help determine what kind of screenings are needed.

    Medical surveillance screenings may take place before someone is placed in a position at work (to determine fitness for duty and ability to wear PPE), at specified intervals throughout their employment (to benchmark health status and check for any adverse changes), after a known exposure, and/or upon leaving the position.

    Proper recordkeeping by your employer is essential for consistent, readily accessible information surrounding medical examination results, employee medical clearance status, training certifications, and exposure trend data.

    Is my personal health information protected?

    A medical surveillance program may include specific guidelines for long-term recordkeeping, but it is important to note that health records at work must meet confidentiality and regulatory compliance of both OSHA and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Employers are not notified of specific test results and other personal medical or non-work-related conditions, but employers are made aware of the recommendations and/or accommodations that may be required based on results and if the results are satisfactory for employment and/or job duties. The employee has the right to review and discuss any test results with the individual performing the exam.

    As an employee—remember, you have federally regulated rights to a safe workplace free of known hazards. Learn about your worker rights and protections. Make sure you report any workplace concern or safety issue to your supervisor and follow all hazard control plans and safety measures to stay safe at work!

    This article is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or to give medical advice. Always consult your primary care provider for healthcare instructions. External links are provided as references and do not indicate an endorsement by Medcor. External links are subject to other sites’ terms of use and privacy policies.

    References

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Clinicians.”

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Employer Responsibilities.”

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Medical Screening and Surveillance.”

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Medical Screening and Surveillance Requirements in OSHA Standards: A Guide.” 

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Medical Screening and Surveillance Overview.”

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Medical Screening and Surveillance OSHA Standards.”

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “OSHA Worker Rights and Protections.” 

    The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, “Worker Health Surveillance.”

    Authored by: Ashley Clay

    Share
    arsenic, asbestos, bloodborne pathogens, construction, cotton dust, crystalline silica dust, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA, maritime, medical surveillance, occupational hazards, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, PPE, workplace

    Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C, Medcor Provider

    More posts by Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C, Medcor Provider

    Related Post

    • Smart Snacking

      By Danielle Olipra

      Everybody snacks, and most people could tell you what their favorite snack is without a thought. Snacks can be good for you, but many of us are guilty of nibbling mindlessly on junk food andRead more

      Share

    • HIIT And Why It Is Popular

      By Danielle Olipra

      High-Intensity Interval Training or HIIT has become a popular workout trend—why is it so popular? Keep reading about HIIT and try a new routine to change up your workout. Convenience of HIIT HIIT training appealsRead more

      Share

    • Stretching

      By Danielle Olipra

      Physical activity can help you feel and function better and stretching your muscles can also help improve your overall health. Read about the benefits of regular stretches and commit to a routine that could improveRead more

      Share

    • Caffeine Withdrawal

      By Ilia Jbankov, FNP-BC, Medcor Provider

      Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in over 60 varieties of plants, the most common being coffee beans, cocoa, tea leaves and kola nuts. The medicinal and energizing effects of these plants were knownRead more

      Share

    • Seasonal Affective Disorder

      By Danielle Olipra

      Seasonal Affective Disorder plagues an estimated 10 million Americans every year. Keep reading to understand seasonal depression and utilize Medcor’s Guiding Health Principles to take care of your mental health this winter. What is SeasonalRead more

      Share

    NextPrevious

    Health Tip Updates

    Recent Posts

    • Smart Snacking
    • HIIT And Why It Is Popular
    • Stretching
    • Caffeine Withdrawal
    • Seasonal Affective Disorder
    Medcor
    Medcor provides health navigation through integrated services that include onsite and mobile clinics, injury triage, telemedicine, and safety staffing and training. Medcor helps employers and their employees navigate the complexities of healthcare to achieve better physical and financial outcomes across the United States and Canada.

    Recent Health Tips

    • Smart Snacking
      February 1, 2023
    • HIIT And Why It Is Popular
      January 25, 2023
    • Stretching
      January 18, 2023

    Insights

    • onsite-healthWhat is an Occupational Health Clinic?
      September 29, 2022
    • COVID Compliance OfficersCOVID-19 Workplace Safety
      September 14, 2022
    • Onsite HealthcareWhat is Onsite Healthcare?
      September 6, 2022

    Contact Us

    HQ Location
    4805 Prime Parkway
    McHenry, IL 60050

    Postal Address
    P.O. Box 550
    McHenry, IL 60051

    Call

    HQ: (815) 363-9500
    Sales: (888) 295-5180
    Media: (815) 759-5442

    Email

    Sales: sales@medcor.com
    Job Inquiry: recruiters@medcor.com
    Media: media@medcor.com
    Website Manager: websupport@medcor.com
    Copyright © 2023 Medcor, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices: Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents, Terms of Use & Privacy | English Spanish. Healthcare Privacy Policy | English Spanish
    • About
      • Medcor Health Navigation
      • Leadership
      • Wellness
        • Eat Real Food
        • Get Your Sleep
        • Handle Your Hygiene
        • Mind Your Happiness
      • Mission, Vision and Values
    • Services
      • Onsite Clinic
      • Telehealth
      • Safety
      • Health Security
    • Resources
      • Health Tips
      • Insights
      • Technology
    • Contact
      • Existing Customer Services
      • General Information
      • Job Inquiries
      • Media & Public Relations
    • Careers
      • Culture
      • Equal Employment and Diversity
      • Interview and Hiring Process FAQs
      • Apply
    • COVID-19
    Medcor