I Prepare

Abstract

The I PREPARE environmental exposure history mnemonic is a quick reference tool created for primary care providers. Health care providers (N = 159) were asked to evaluate a prototype mnemonic, to suggest new health history questions, and to propose the deletion of less relevant questions. The goal of this evaluation was to create a practical and clinically relevant mnemonic, rather than to obtain quantitative estimates of validity. The final I PREPARE mnemonic cues the provider to "Investigate potential exposures;" ask questions related to "Present work;' "Residence;' "Environmental concerns," "Past work," and "Activities;" provide "Referrals and resources;" and ''Educate'' the patient by reviewing a checklist of strategies to prevent or minimize exposures. The sequence of I PREPARE makes intuitive sense by cueing the provider to ask specific ques

How the Non-Work Environment Can Affect Worker and Family Health

“…Documenting these environmental influences can be accomplished by a complete environmental assessment. Occupational health nurses can use the “I PREPARE” mnemonic (Paranzino, Butterfield, Nastoff, & Ranger, 2005; Figure 1), a tool that focuses attention on lifetime exposures. Knowing worker and family backgrounds (i.e., location of homes, past working and living exposures, personal environmental concerns, and current and past recreational activities) can direct occupational health nurses to areas in need of further investigation.…”

“…I PREPARE-An environmental exposure history assessment tool.Source Paranzino, Butterfield, Nastoff, and Ranger (2005;. permission granted).…”