Occupational Hazards in Healthcare Settings Prevention, Management, and Emerging Challenges

Healthcare workers face significant occupational hazards, including exposure to infectious diseases, physical injuries, psychological stress, and chemical risks. This study evaluates the efficacy of preventive strategies, management protocols, and emerging technologies in mitigating these hazards across diverse healthcare settings. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected from ۲۰ hospitals in high- and low-resource regions (UK, India, Nigeria) over ۲۴ months (۲۰۲۱–۲۰۲۳). Quantitative analysis of incident reports revealed a ۳۵% reduction in needlestick injuries (p<۰.۰۵) following the implementation of safety-engineered devices. Qualitative interviews with ۱۵۰ healthcare workers highlighted persistent challenges: ۶۰% reported chronic stress due to understaffing, and ۴۵% cited inadequate training in handling hazardous materials. Emerging technologies, such as AI-driven risk assessment tools and wearable sensors, improved hazard detection by ۵۰% in urban hospitals but faced adoption barriers in rural areas (e.g., cost and infrastructure gaps). A hybrid framework integrating policy reforms, staff training, and technology adoption demonstrated a ۲۸% overall improvement in workplace safety. Key recommendations include standardizing global safety protocols, investing in low-cost protective technologies, and prioritizing mental health support programs. This study underscores the urgent need for equity-focused interventions to address disparities in occupational safety and advocates for systemic reforms in healthcare governance.

کلیدواژه ها:

Occupational hazards ، Healthcare safety ، Infectious disease exposure ، Psychological stress ، AI-driven risk assessment ، Preventive strategies