John D Meyer, MD MPH¹, Ginger H Nichols, MS², Sharon Lavigne, MS², Anne Bracker, MPH, CIH³, Sally S Rosengren, MD², and Michael Grey, MD, MPH³. (1) Occupational & Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Ave, MC-6210, Farmington, CT 06030-6210, 860 679-4947, meyer@uchc.edu, (2) Human Genetics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Ave, MC-6210, Farmington, CT 06030-6210, (3) Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06030-6210

A multidisciplinary team, involving occupational medicine physicians, industrial hygienists and genetic counselors, has been developed at the University of Connecticut Health Center to evaluate reproductive hazards in the workplace. A phone survey was designed to measure patient satisfaction among women who used varying levels of services offered by the team. The survey also attempted to identify the ease and extent to which patients were able to comply with requests for additional data needed for evaluation, barriers to scheduling an office visit, and reasons for non-participation. Of 53 respondents, average gestational age at time of first contact was 12.2 weeks. Principal industries represented were manufacturing (21%), education (19%), health care (17%), laboratories (15%), and beauty (9%). Over 90% of inquiries represented concerns over chemical exposures. Two-thirds (32/48, 67%) were able to access and provide requested documentation (e.g. MSDS). The remainder indicated difficulties in obtaining requested documentation or had barriers to access. Of specific recommendations made to employers for exposure control, 76% (16/21) were implemented and were typically beneficial to other workers in the same job or area. Overall, most individuals (93%) who used the service were satisfied with the team approach. This suggests that the multidisciplinary approach provides an optimal method of answering patients’ complex questions on occupational reproductive hazards. The results confirm that inquiries into workplace hazards remains rarely sought prior to conception and may occur too late to prevent effects on early fetal development. Specific barriers to the evaluation are also identifiable, which may be amenable to programmatic improvements.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• describe the elements of a workplace hazard evaluation for a pregnant woman 2)recognize the most common hazards and jobs requiring further information on hazards assessment
• recognize barriers to the evaluation of workplace exposures in pregnancy, and develop strategies to overcome them

Keywords: Prenatal Care, Occupational Exposure

Related Web page: oehc.uchc.edu/clinser/reprohaz.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.