Teaming Up With Employees For Better Health: Three Strategies To Implement

Monitoring the health of employees can be as important to many organizations as the products that are manufactured or the business strategy that’s behind them. Employees are an incredible asset to any organization and keeping them safe is paramount. Gwinnett Medical Center’s Roger Burnett, occupational health manager, couldn’t agree more. He explains some on-the-job strategies that he uses in his role that involves keeping over 5,500 employees healthy and on the job. 

Manager Engagement

Specifically, GMC’s health surveillance program involves staff in the pharmacy, Centers for Cancer Care and contractors within those same areas. This includes two hospital-based pharmacies and other locations in addition to multiple cancer centers where over 1,900 patients are treated yearly.

According to Burnett, medical screening and health surveillance are interchangeable. “At GMC we screen job candidates before employment, which is not required in all cases, and then annually to determine if there is a change in their health status."

However, he says, GMC’s surveillance is more complete now, in that he and his team work closely with the directors in those respective areas so they are also knowledgable of the requirements. They know who is tested and the frequency.

“We have employees who are mixing chemotherapy drugs and checking them; the entire process of preparing the drugs involves two employees,” said Richard Van Zant, GMC pharmacy manager. 

“Over the years, our awareness of health surveillance and the need for it has certainly increased.” From surveys to physicals, employees and managers are always engaged with Occupational Health. But, the conversation doesn’t stop there. The Pharmacy staff and Occupational Health, among others, continue to work closely as new guidelines become enacted.

Physician Accessibility

GMC physicians are immediately accessible once it’s determined their might be a potential health risk. “If there is a change in health status, employees have access to a qualified physician to discuss the risk,” said Burnett. This is one element of a definitive path for employees should there be any concern.

At GMC, an employee can present to the lab if there is an issue and staff will reach back out to them with results within an hour. If there is abnormal lab work, we will set up the appointment with a physician that same day, all based on modern technology.

There are multiple best practices said Burnett, which include distributing a hazard specific questionnaire which is reviewed by a dedicated nurse and then, if there is an issue, employees have access to a dedicated physician. “A defined process keeps it flowing consistently year after year.”

Frequent Assessments

It goes without saying, healthcare and treatments are changing and at a rapid fire pace. Because of that, leadership within the Pharmacy and the Centers for Cancer Care review new procedures and new drugs as they are introduced, to determine whether there might be new requirements or assessments needed in an effort to keep employees safe.

It’s imperative that we ensure all processes are still correct, said Burnett.

“It’s my absolute passion to have a program in place and knowing it has validity to keep our employees safe,” he said. “I am certain that I am taking care of my employees who are taking care of our patient population in the community.”

To keep your employees safe and operating at optimum levels, Gwinnett Medical Center Corporate Health has the knowledge to help you implement a health surveillance program that provides peace of mind. To learn more about GMC’s Corporate Health offerings or to speak to someone about implementing this program in your workplace, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/corporatehealth or call 678-981-9147.