[MCOH-EH] Testing Color Vision in Healthcare Institutions

[Swift, Melanie D., M.D., M.P.H.]

I'm not aware of a regulatory requirement for medical color vision testing of any specific occupational group. The closest are CLIA requirements for assuring that laboratory staff can correctly identify colors on the tests they use (which can be done via competency testing if designed carefully, avoiding the need for a medical color vision test.) Accreditation of dialysis units often includes making sure staff can interpret color indicators for water quality monitoring etc, but again that can be accomplished with competency testing.

Most labs, dialysis clinics, and some regulatory site visitors reflexively interpret those standards as requiring a medical color vision test, and pressure their OH service to perform something like Ishihara plates, but per prior posts that can miss color vision deficiencies pertinent to the task at hand. If you as the occupational physician educate them (and your internal accreditation professionals and attorneys) then you have hope of changing this longstanding, entrenched practice!

Melanie

From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net> On Behalf Of Rudnick, Howard L
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2022 2:43 PM
To: mcoh-eh at mylist.net
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [MCOH-EH] Testing Color Vision in Healthcare Institutions

Cn someone provide a list of those employees in a hospital that require color vision testing in order to do their job?

Howard L. Rudnick, MD,MHA,FACP
Clinical Professor (Adjunct), Department of Medicine
Medical Director, Occupational Health Services
Temple University Health System
Office:  (215) 707-3026
Cell:  (267) 838-7040


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