Implementing a medical surveillance program for animal care staff

Lab Animal ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 275-278
Author(s):  
Debra Sharpe
Keyword(s):  
Care Staff ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Medical Surveillance ◽  
Animal Care

The Value of HAZWOPER Medical Surveillance

AAOHN Journal ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 465-467
Author(s):  
R. Gail Huss ◽  
Kristen N. Williamson ◽  
Kimberly L. Alvis ◽  
David J. Hewitt
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Hazardous Materials ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Medical Surveillance ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Chemical Exposures ◽  
High Prevalence

Medical surveillance is mandated for workers with potential exposure to hazardous materials. However, little guidance is provided regarding the components of a medical surveillance testing program for these individuals. This article describes the medical surveillance program for a group of 72 employees who respond to hazardous material releases throughout the United States. Conditions related to chemical exposures were not identified in this group. However, several non-occupational health conditions were identified, including a relatively high prevalence of one or more signs of metabolic syndrome. Medical surveillance may provide valuable information regarding an individual's underlying health status and non-occupational health conditions to be addressed at an early stage.

scholarly journals Characterizing abnormal behavior in a large population of zoo-housed chimpanzees: prevalence and potential influencing factors

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Jacobson ◽  
Stephen R. Ross ◽  
Mollie A. Bloomsmith
Keyword(s):  
Large Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Abnormal Behavior ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Opposing Effects ◽  
Abnormal Behaviors ◽  
Animal Care ◽  
Recent Claim ◽  
Poor Welfare

Abnormal behaviors in captive animals are generally defined as behaviors that are atypical for the species and are often considered to be indicators of poor welfare. Although some abnormal behaviors have been empirically linked to conditions related to elevated stress and compromised welfare in primates, others have little or no evidence on which to base such a relationship. The objective of this study was to investigate a recent claim that abnormal behavior is endemic in the captive population by surveying a broad sample of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), while also considering factors associated with the origins of these behaviors. We surveyed animal care staff from 26 accredited zoos to assess the prevalence of abnormal behavior in a large sample of chimpanzees in the United States for which we had information on origin and rearing history. Our results demonstrated that 64% of this sample was reported to engage in some form of abnormal behavior in the past two years and 48% of chimpanzees engaged in abnormal behavior other than coprophagy. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the historical variables that best predicted the occurrence of all abnormal behavior, any abnormal behavior that was not coprophagy, and coprophagy. Rearing had opposing effects on the occurrence of coprophagy and the other abnormal behaviors such that mother-reared individuals were more likely to perform coprophagy, whereas non-mother-reared individuals were more likely to perform other abnormal behaviors. These results support the assertion that coprophagy may be classified separately when assessing abnormal behavior and the welfare of captive chimpanzees. This robust evaluation of the prevalence of abnormal behavior in our sample from the U.S. zoo population also demonstrates the importance of considering the contribution of historical variables to present behavior, in order to better understand the causes of these behaviors and any potential relationship to psychological wellbeing.

scholarly journals Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program 1990–1999: Demographic Features and Trends in Abnormal Radiographic Findings

2006 ◽  
Vol 171 (8) ◽  
pp. 717-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle M. Dell ◽  
Bruce K. Bohnker ◽  
John G. Muller ◽  
Alan F. Philippi ◽  
Francesca K. Litow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Medical Surveillance ◽  
Radiographic Findings ◽  
Demographic Features

Are Smelly Animals Happy Animals? Competing Definitions of Laboratory Animal Cruelty and Public Policy

1994 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-144
Author(s):  
Julian McAllister Groves
Keyword(s):  
Animal Rights ◽  
Laboratory Animal ◽  
Animal Cruelty ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Public Image ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Research Personnel ◽  
The Public ◽  
Cruelty To Animals ◽  
Animal Care

AbstractRegulations surrounding laboratory animal care have tried to address aspects of an image of laboratory animal cruelty publicized by animal rights activists. This image of cruelty, however, is not consistent with the experiences of those charged with the day-to-day care of laboratory animals. This article examines the incongruities between the public image of cruelty to animals in laboratories as promoted by animal rights activists, and the experiences of laboratory animal care staff who apply and enforce laboratory animal care regulations. In doing so, the article illuminates why regulations surrounding laboratory animal care are difficult to comply with on the part of the policy enforcers, and are continuously contested by both animal rights activists and animal research personnel.

scholarly journals Intraindividual Stability of Human Erythrocyte Cholinesterase Activity

2007 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 1358-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee J Lefkowitz ◽  
Joseph M Kupina ◽  
Nigel L Hirth ◽  
Rachel M Henry ◽  
Georgia Y Noland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Interindividual Variation ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Medical Surveillance ◽  
Intraindividual Variation ◽  
Us Army ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Medical Laboratory Technician

Abstract Background: Erythrocyte cholinesterase (RBC-ChE) activities serve as useful and sensitive biomarkers to monitor exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting substances, such as chemical warfare nerve agents and pesticides. Although the interindividual variation of RBC-ChE is well characterized, the magnitude of intraindividual variation for RBC-ChE remains controversial. An accurate measure of intraindividual variation is critical for establishing the appropriate frequency of RBC-ChE testing. Methods: We retrospectively tracked the intraindividual variation of RBC-ChE activities among 46 male nerve agent workers from a single US Army depot that participated in a medical surveillance program requiring periodic RBC-ChE monitoring. All RBC-ChE analysis was performed by the same medical laboratory technician by the delta pH method. Results: A mean of 38 and a median of 37 RBC-ChE measurements were available for each worker. The mean duration of employment for these workers was 20 years (median, 21 years). The mean CV for RBC-ChE in this set of 46 workers was 3.9%. Linear regression analysis of the data for each worker resulted in a mean slope of 0.0010 delta pH units/h per year. Conclusions: RBC-ChE activities increased in each person by a mean of 0.01 delta pH units/h every 10 years, which is a negligible rate. These findings highlight the stability of RBC-ChE activities over time in a given individual and may have important policy implications regarding the appropriate frequency of RBC-ChE testing.

scholarly journals The effects of dietary changes on chimpanzee behavior

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Fultz ◽  
Raven Jackson-Jewett ◽  
Kathleen Taylor ◽  
Connie Philipp ◽  
Akie Yanagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Research Council ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Abnormal Behavior ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Dietary Changes ◽  
Advisory Groups ◽  
Limited Food ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Animal Care

Captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) often suffer from obesity-related health issues including arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. It is becoming increasingly common to house captive chimpanzees in large social groups, which may increase aggression due to the competition over limited food resources. In order to improve the health of sanctuary chimpanzees at Chimp Haven, Inc, USA. we recently made some modifications to the chimpanzee’s diet. Diet formulations were created by our veterinarian using recommendations from Association of Zoos and Aquariums Nutrition Advisory Groups and National Research Council guidelines on daily nonhuman primate caloric needs. The current study examined behavioral changes in the chimpanzees when diet modifications included a reduction in the overall amount of produce given. As dietary changes were being implemented, animal care staff voiced concerns over the possibility of increased competition, abnormal behavior and aggression with the reduction in the amount of produce provided. We observed six groups of chimpanzees (N = 85; M = 34 F = 51, age: range 3-55, mean = 27.8) when produce was provided in the morning and afternoon for seven weeks before and three weeks after the dietary changes were made. We completed two 30 minute scans with six minute intervals per week on each group for a total of 820 scans. Groups ranged in size from 11-23 members (mean = 14.33). Although we found no significant changes in aggressive behavior after the dietary changes (t = .007, p = .99), there was a non-significant tendency towards an increase in abnormal behavior (t = 2.30, p = .06).

scholarly journals Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program, 1995–1999: Demographic Characteristics and Smoking Status

2001 ◽  
Vol 166 (11) ◽  
pp. 966-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce K. Bohnker ◽  
Lawrence S. Betts ◽  
David M. Sack ◽  
Nancy Craft
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Status ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Medical Surveillance
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