I too have been watching the conversation but have a little different take on the matter.
There are some jobs where color vision is important; for example lab tests where a color indicator has to be read. While many of such tests are now able to be interpreted with less than perfect color vision, it might still be a problem for some.
So the choice on initial exam is to screen only the known group or to screen everyone. There is something to be said for having a standard exam rather than trying to have a different exam for everyone. And people do move about within the system. A color vision screen is non invasive and low cost. So I don’t see a problem with doing such. Alternatively there could be a functional test for some or all , if you can “bound” the functional needs.
Remembering that the test is a screening test, someone not “passing’ the screening can have a functional test if the job duties call for some element of color vision or color differentiation.
Karl Auerbach MD
Rochester NY
My opinions, nothing more...
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Cassano Victoria
Sent: Thursday, May 8, 2014 1:12 PM
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Color vision testing of healthcare workers
Finally a voice of reason. I completely avoided this discussion because it seemed totally ridiculous.
I have no idea why anyone would spend all this time and effort on something not related to the essential functions of the job.
Torie
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Upfal, Mark
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2014 1:05 PM
To: 'MCOH/EH'
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Color vision testing of healthcare workers
I agree that it would be quite unusual for the color blindness test to lead to rejection of employment (the test is not adequately correlated with actual performance). For all of the time and effort that goes into performing thousands of color blindness tests, what specifically have we been able to offer to the individual or the employer? What specific accommodations have we offered? I've never encountered a situation in which the individual was unable to "self-accommodate" and could not do their job. Most new hires in technical jobs that require visual inspection have either undergone training in their field or have previously done the same job elsewhere, and are not likely to enter the field if they cannot do the job.
Wouldn't it be more useful, efficient and valid for the supervisor to do a simple job performance test for those few jobs with unusual visual performance or color discrimination demands, rather than performing color discrimination tests on a broad range of new hires?
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Fair, Susan
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2014 12:10 PM
To: 'MCOH/EH'
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Color vision testing of healthcare workers
CVD on screening would be a trigger to have an evaluation of the performance of essential tasks requiring color vision ability, especially in lab or path. Occ Med would have input on what accommodations might be needed. It is likely that anyone with a deficiency has adapted to different shades of gray being assigned a color name in their experience. The other challenges are for HCW who needs to identify pallor, cyanosis, jaundice, skin rashes, erythema, blood contamination of fluids, color coded charts or color coded computer screen alerts, etc. I have never seen someone not hired or terminated for CVD in my MCOH tenure of 26 years.
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Upfal, Mark
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2014 9:36 AM
To: 'MCOH/EH'
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Color vision testing of healthcare workers
So how do you use the information? Does it really predict job performance? For which jobs? What if they fail the test but can still perform the job?
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+mupfal=dmc.org@mylist.net] On Behalf Of April Tainter
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2014 9:28 AM
To: 'MCOH/EH'
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Color vision testing of healthcare workers
14 plate for all employees.
April Tainter RN
Employee Health Nurse
ThedaCare-Shawano
100 County Road B
Shawano WI 54166
P 715-524-1493
F 715-524-9983
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Viereck, Maryann
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2014 8:20 AM
To: 'MCOH/EH'
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Color vision testing of healthcare workers
14 plate here.
Maryann Viereck RN,BS,CEN,COHN-S
Employee Health Coordinator
Cape Regional Medical Center
2 Stone Harbor Blvd
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
phone 609-463-2512
fax 609-463-2910
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Fair, Susan
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2014 8:57 AM
To: 'mcoh-eh@mylist.net'
Cc: Santerre, Andrea
Subject: [MCOH-EH] Color vision testing of healthcare workers
We test nursing, laboratory, pathology, and medical staff for color vision with Ishihara 14 plate in our clinics. We find that some of the hospitals with whom we are now affiliated are using Ishihara 38 plate instead of 14 plate. What method do you all use? Is there any evidence that more plates are a better screening tool in this setting? Thanks for your input.
Susan Fair, MPAS, PA-C
Yale New Haven Hospital
Occupational Health Plus
New Haven, CT
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