Occupational health services for hospital workers: who does it best?

Occupational health services in hospital do not carry the same clout as clinical departments and are regarded by the medical staff as peripheral functions at best. Although some large teaching hospitals have recognized the need to put occupational health services for employees under medical directors trained in occupational health, most community hospital and long-term care facilities have not. These institutions need to reassess their occupational health program if hospitals, which are committed to healing, are not to be viewed as backward, regressive employers.