Thanks to all who emailed with advice, it was really useful input.

Jo

Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:40:25 +0000
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] DSE work and cardiac pacemakers
To: [log in to unmask]

This was extremely refreshing, thank you

Kind Regards
Jo

Jo Jenkins
Regional Occupational Health Manager
Premier Foods
(Long Sutton & Wisbech Sites)
Mobile: 0771 2120 003

"Garner, Ruth (GE Healthcare)" ---15/02/2011 10:47:46---What a fascinating insight into humanity- well written Catherine!

"Garner, Ruth (GE Healthcare)" <[log in to unmask]>

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15/02/2011 10:47

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Subject	Re: [OCC-HEALTH] DSE work and cardiac pacemakers

What a fascinating insight into humanity- well written Catherine! -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Catherine Tye Sent: 15 February 2011 10:25 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] DSE work and cardiac pacemakers Hi Jo & list, I'm assuming ICD means 'internal cardiac defib.' If so I had a client who had an ICD for some kind of QT syndrome - she collapsed, died was finally resuscitated 45 mins later and was in a coma for 3 months and lost everything - memory, didn't recognise her partner, children, her home, ability to walk and doing basic things - she had to relearn the lot! (My first referral in a new job - eek!!) I learnt a lot from her. She said that every time it fired it felt like she had been kicked and it was a reminder that she wasn't whole. She also felt guilt as her daughter was found to also have the condition and would require life-long medication. Both had to take high dose propanolol but that her feeling flat in mood. She was also recommended to attend a support group but that scared her even more - hearing about other people's experiences! I have found that anyone who has had to have treatment for a heart condition particularly where they have been able to feel an irregular heart beat and or had chest pain will have had to face their own mortality, often at an age much younger than expected. In a way he has experienced a 'death' and will be grieving for his previous life, body and mind - everything he believed/believes in has been challenged and he will be feeling a little lost and depression is common. On an spiritual/ energetic level the heart is symbolic of all relationships (particularly to mother and wife and other women) and so ability to fully embrace love again may be another concern. Men traditionally struggle to receive through their heart, yet it is the route through which women give love and attention and can be very healing on an energetic level. In a way his heart has been broken and mended by mechanical means. It may be a difficult conversation for you to have with him but you may be able to start by simply acknowledging he has been through a very scary time as the loss of heart related health can feel like a form of death and that that is totally normal. He needs to be gentle with himself giving himself time to grieve and to regain his confidence and self-esteem. Losing 'heart strength' can undermine the masculine part of a person as fears of physical and mental exertion are stressors depending on his belief system - men are expected to be strong and the providers. Over time he will realise that he is stronger on all levels than he thinks. You haven't said what his role was. Ask where his fears regarding DSE work come from - is it the ICD or that he doesn't know how to switch it on, use a mouse etc? Or is it the sedentary part? His beliefs may be that sedentary work is for women or similar - he may need to see a clear plan of getting back to physical work to motivate him to move forward and gently flex his boundaries (otherwise you may be unintentionally undermining his beliefs in his masculinity - whether he actually gets there or not is not the point - that is a decision for him to come to over time. We may have to manage risk in OH but you can only take on so much responsibility for him. If his cardiac team have given the ok then he needs to increase his physical and mental stamina and start to face his fears over a period of time - how long can your company support him for? The rehab plan may need to be 3-4 months.) When feeling fear, a reaction or emotion we can all benefit from 'checking-in' with our mind, body and heart and see what they are telling us. One of my spiritual teachers says there are two meanings to the word FEAR - friendly energy announcing risk or f**k everything and run! Hope that helps, have a good day Catherine :0) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:01:06 -0000 From: "Naylor, Sharon [HMPS]" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: DSE work and cardiac pacemakers Never underestimate the power of fear and lack of information, or maybe even a lack of IT skills? -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joanna Edwards Sent: 14 February 2011 12:47 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] DSE work and cardiac pacemakers Hello list I want to support someone back in to work in a sedentary role - predominantly office based. I think he needs to develop confidence in his ability to undertake work of any nature after insertion of a dual chamber pacemaker some time ago now. I am beginning to sense a reluctance as he has told his supervisor that he is not able to work with computers due to the potential for interference with his pacemaker. Is this likely? Have any of you come across this before? All of life is computerised these days which suggests that he is not going to be safe anywhere! Your comments and advice gratefully received. Jo ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTHThis email was received from the INTERNET and scanned by the Government Secure Intranet anti-virus service supplied by Cable&Wireless Worldwide in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) In case of problems, please call your organisation's IT Helpdesk. Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes. The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Cable&Wireless Worldwide in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) On leaving the GSi this email was certified virus free. Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes. ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:00:53 +0100 From: "Wood, Catherine" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Diabetic Awareness Dear List, Over the next few weeks in order to raise awareness of Diabetes amongst the First Aiders onsite, I am planning to deliver a short training programme. Therefore, if anyone has a PowerPoint presentation or similar that they would be willing to share with me for ideas, it would be much appreciated. Thank you in anticipation Kind Regards, Catherine ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:26:33 -0000 From: Wayne Llewellyn <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: DSE work and cardiac pacemakers Joanne, We have had many clients with already fitted and re-introduced several with newly fitted ones and there ahs never been a problem with any electro-magnetic interference. There are many more powerful electromagnetic field in life than computers (televisions being one example) which would potentially be more problematic but are not. However, i have 2 staff following a masters in ergonomics to whom i have posed your query for any research or evidence based material and i will get back to you with their responses. Regards, Wayne Llewellyn Clinical Director C 6-9 Timber Street, London, EC1Y 0TQ ' 020 7687 7600 [log in to unmask] w www.premiertherapy.co.uk Online Payments Available P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to. "This message and any attachments are solely for the intended recipient and may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, use, or distribution of the information included in this message and any attachments is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us by reply e-mail and immediately and permanently delete this message and any attachments. Thank you." Premier Health & Sport Therapy Limited. Registered in England no. 3376266. Registered Office: 6-9 Timber Street, London EC1Y 0TQ. -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joanna Edwards Sent: 14 February 2011 12:50 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] DSE work and cardiac pacemakers Hello list I want to support someone back in to work in a sedentary role - predominantly office based. I think he needs to develop confidence in his ability to undertake work of any nature after insertion of a dual chamber pacemaker some time ago now. I am beginning to sense a reluctance as he has told his supervisor that he is not able to work with computers due to the potential for interference with his pacemaker. Is this likely? Have any of you come across this before? All of life is computerised these days which suggests that he is not going to be safe anywhere! Your comments and advice gratefully received. Jo ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:00:06 -0000 From: "Info@theohs" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Presentation request Hi All, I was wondering if anyone has a short presentation on hand hygiene for food handlers in manufaturing that they would be willing to share. Many Thanks Lynne Gilliland. ----- Original Message ----- From: ILISE Feitshans To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 9:11 AM Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Presentation request : 9.0.872 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3435 - Release Date: 02/10/11 19:34:00 ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:59:20 +0000 From: Clare Haddow <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: DSE work and cardiac pacemakers Hi Jo Attached is quite an interesting article, maybe helpful. I was involved with a client retuning back to work from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The ICD constantly monitors his heart rhythm, and if it senses that a rhythm disturbance is beginning it can deliver treatment. The advice below is from my management report back to his employer after having done some considerable research: Hopefully Mr X will have little disruption to his life although it may take him some time to become accustomed to having the ICD in place. He may benefit from working reduced hours for the first month; this will depend on how he feels. He will have further follow up consultations with his specialist He should meet with his line manager on a fairly regular basis to discuss how he is coping with the demands of work He should be aware of any magnets and electromagnets at work, as his ICD can be affected by strong electromagnetic fields. Radios, fridges cookers, computers and microwaves will not affect his ICD. He should not climb ladders at work and he should avoid arc welding Mobile phones should be kept at least 4-6 inches away from the ICD, and he should hold his phone over the ear on the opposite side of the device. Hope this is helpful Kind regards Clare Clare Haddow Occupational Health Nurse Specialistwww.chohs.co.ukQuoting Joanna Edwards <[log in to unmask]>: > Hello list > > I want to support someone back in to work in a sedentary role - > predominantly office based. I think he needs to develop confidence in > his ability to undertake work of any nature after insertion of a dual > chamber pacemaker some time ago now. I am beginning to sense a > reluctance as he has told his supervisor that he is not able to work > with computers due to the potential for interference with his > pacemaker. Is this likely? Have any of you come across this before? > All of life is computerised these days which suggests that he is not > going to be safe anywhere! > > Your comments and advice gratefully received. > > Jo > > ******************************** > Please remove this footer before replying. > > OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES: >http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html> > CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS: >http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH> ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:30:38 +0000 From: Julie Leonard <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: DSE work and cardiac pacemakers If you contact the local cardiac rehab team they will give appropriate advice regarding the restrictions with his particular device you may wish to engage with him and ask him to give consent for you to liaise. With the cardiac team quite together and give him the confidence ------Original Message------ From: Joanna Edwards Sender: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] ReplyTo: Occupational Health mailing list Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] DSE work and cardiac pacemakers Sent: 14 Feb 2011 12:46 Hello list I want to support someone back in to work in a sedentary role - predominantly office based. I think he needs to develop confidence in his ability to undertake work of any nature after insertion of a dual chamber pacemaker some time ago now. I am beginning to sense a reluctance as he has told his supervisor that he is not able to work with computers due to the potential for interference with his pacemaker. Is this likely? Have any of you come across this before? All of life is computerised these days which suggests that he is not going to be safe anywhere! Your comments and advice gratefully received. Jo ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTHSent using BlackBerry(r) from Orange ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:58:58 +0000 From: Carr Barnes <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: DSE work and cardiac pacemakers Hi Anxiety related to cardiac health is acknowledged by the BHS as one of the common reasons potentially fully functional men fail to resume work in any capacity. The reasons for it may be complex.. personal experience of family members with heart disease, cultural issues (particularly if of an Asian background), over protective family, a feeling that "there is now more to life" etc. As anxiety can cause increased heart rate and perceived chest pain this can often make the perceived "risk" very real to the employee feeding into the belief. It is very hard to sway these people from such beliefs with "common sense", explanation and reasurrance... as far as they are concerned their lives are practically at risk. However CBT (with the target of RTW) can be very very effective in resolving the fear-avoidance behaviours and would be well worth the investment by the employer. I would suggest it would be potentially quite difficult to get this employee to return without such an intervention and even with the advice that he is medically fit per se (i.e no know risk established between VDUs and the condition) I imagine a cert for "stress" would be a likely next document received. As such I would suggest careful handling so as to support this guy in becoming confident in his "safety" at work.http://www.bhf.org.uk/publications/view-publication.aspx?ps=1000739 is a very useful document. Carr On 14 February 2011 15:30, Julie Leonard <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > If you contact the local cardiac rehab team they will give appropriate > advice regarding the restrictions with his particular device you may > wish to engage with him and ask him to give consent for you to liaise. > With the cardiac team quite together and give him the confidence > ------Original Message------ > From: Joanna Edwards > Sender: [log in to unmask] > To: [log in to unmask] > ReplyTo: Occupational Health mailing list > Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] DSE work and cardiac pacemakers > Sent: 14 Feb 2011 12:46 > > Hello list > > I want to support someone back in to work in a sedentary role - > predominantly office based. I think he needs to develop confidence in > his ability to undertake work of any nature after insertion of a dual > chamber pacemaker some time ago now. I am beginning to sense a > reluctance as he has told his supervisor that he is not able to work > with computers due to the potential for interference with his > pacemaker. Is this likely? Have any of you come across this before? > All of life is computerised these days which suggests that he is not going to be safe anywhere! > > Your comments and advice gratefully received. > > Jo > > ******************************** > Please remove this footer before replying. > > OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES: >http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html> > CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS: >http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH> > > Sent using BlackBerry(r) from Orange > > ******************************** > Please remove this footer before replying. > > OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES: >http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html> > CONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS: >http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH> ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH------------------------------ End of OCC-HEALTH Digest - 13 Feb 2011 to 14 Feb 2011 (#2011-48) **************************************************************** ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.htmlCONFERENCES AND STUDY DAYS:http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH

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