Return to Work for Nurses With Hand Dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Occupational skin disease is common in healthcare workers. If the healthcare worker develops moderate to severe dermatitis, return to work (RTW) may be challenging.


OBJECTIVE
The study objectives were to review the impact of an RTW program on the work status of nurses with occupational hand dermatitis and to identify successful intervention methods and strategies.


METHODS
Nurses who received RTW services at a tertiary occupational medicine clinic were identified, and information related to their diagnosis and RTW was abstracted from their charts.


RESULTS
Eighteen nurses with irritant hand dermatitis who received RTW services were identified. Twelve nurses (67%) were performing administrative duties because of their skin condition when admitted to the RTW program, and others were performing patient care with modifications. A graduated RTW trial was commonly implemented with optimized skin care management and monitoring by physicians and the RTW coordinator. Upon discharge, 14 nurses (78%) had returned to their nursing roles with direct patient care, 3 (17%) were working as nurses in non-patient care roles, and 1 (6%) was on permanent disability.


CONCLUSIONS
A graduated RTW trial to reduce cumulative irritant exposure is a crucial strategy to facilitate nurses' transition back to work and to maintain direct patient care nursing roles.
From the *Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton; †Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, St Michael's Hospital; ‡Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, §Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and ∥Department of Medicine, University of Toronto; and ¶Centre for Research in Inner City Health, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Jennifer
J
Chen
Pilar
P
Gomez
Irena
I
Kudla
Joel
J
DeKoven
D Linn
DL
Holness
Sandra
S
Skotnicki
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D003142:Communication; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D062707:Return to Work