<P> The Occupational Health Safety Network is a system developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to address health and safety risks among health care providers . Hospitals and other healthcare facilities can upload the occupational injury data they already collect to the secure database for analysis and benchmarking with other de-identified facilities from throughout the U.S. NIOSH works with OHSN participants in identifying and implementing timely and targeted interventions . OHSN modules currently focus on three high risk and preventable events that can lead to injuries or musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare providers: musculoskeletal injuries from patient handling activities; slips, trips, and falls; and workplace violence . Slips, trips, and falls are the second-most common cause of worker's compensation claims in the US, and cause 21% of work absences due to injury . These injuries most commonly result in strains and sprains; women, those older than 45, and those who have been working less than a year in a healthcare setting are at the highest risk . </P> <P> Health care professionals are also likely to experience sleep deprivation due to their jobs . Many health care professionals are on a shift work schedule, and therefore experience misalignment of their work schedule and their circadian rhythm . In 2007, 32% of healthcare workers were found to get fewer than 6 hours of sleep a night . Sleep deprivation also predisposes healthcare professionals to make mistakes that may potentially endanger a patient . </P> <P> Practicing without a license that is valid and current is typically illegal . In most jurisdictions, the provision of health care services is regulated by the government . Individuals found to be providing medical, nursing or other professional services without the appropriate certification or license may face sanctions and criminal charges leading to a prison term . The number of professions subject to regulation, requisites for individuals to receive professional licensure, and nature of sanctions that can be imposed for failure to comply vary across jurisdictions . </P> <P> In the United States, under Michigan state laws, an individual is guilty of felony if identified as practicing in the health profession without a valid personal license or registration . Health professionals can also be imprisoned if found guilty of practicing beyond the limits allowed by their licences and registration . The state laws define the scope of practice for medicine, nursing, and a number of allied health professions . In Florida, practicing medicine without the appropriate license is a crime classified as a third degree felony, which may give imprisonment up to five years . Practicing a health care profession without a license which results in serious bodily injury classifies as a second degree felony, providing up to 15 years' imprisonment . </P>

The health professional who provides basic patient care services