[MCOH-EH] Color vision testing of healthcare workers

[Karl Auerbach]

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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at 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 at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Fair, Susan
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2014 8:57 AM
To: 'mcoh-eh at 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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