Musculoskeletal diseases in lumber and wood products workers as identified through hospital records surveillance

Currently available computerized hospital records from four hospitals in Southwest Oregon were utilized for occupational health surveillance by administering brief occupational questionnaires to hospitalized male patients. Patients with occupational exposure to the lumber and wood products industries showed statistically significant increased risks of hospitalization for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. The technique of using routine hospital records for occupational health surveillance has utility as a simple, inexpensive, but systematic tool for monitoring occupational populations.