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The aims of this project were to establish the occupational medicine clinics (OMC) in the regional /general hospitals: 1) to prevent and control work injuries and occupational diseases, 2) to enhance the diagnostic or curative occupational diseases, and 3) to develop the network of occupational health services (OHS) at the local level.
Methods
Five indicators of the project were set up to guide the hospitals to perform activities of OMC. The indicators included 1) set up the unit for OMC and perform public relations, 2) collaborate with related agencies both within the hospital and external unit, 3) perform the OHS both in the hospital and on-site the enterprise, 4) build up the capacity of occupational health personnel, and 5) record and submit the progress report to the related agencies.
Results
During 2006-2010, 37 hospitals have joined the project. In the latest year (2010), 1,666 occupational diseases cases were found. Of such hospitals, 35 (94.6 %) have provided pro-active OHS including health examination, occupational health education and work environment survey. However, only 12 hospitals (32.4%) could conduct a surveillance project to control occupational disease. Of those, 34 (91.9%) and 33 (89.2%) could co-ordinate with other departments in their hospitals to refer suspected occupational diseases cases to the OMC and set up the occupational health committee at the provincial level to support and promote such services, respectively. The variations in the pattern of organization, manpower, and services of participated hospitals were quite large; therefore 26 (70%) of the hospitals could carry out all activities following the five indicators.
Discussion
All participated hospitals could establish OMC. Most of them could provide both passive and pro-active OHS including collaborate among related agencies.The key success factors were a potential of staff, a hospital’s policy, a financial support, and a good co-operation of the network.