Monica Melkonian, one of Medgate’s resident Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH), has authored an article titled “Streamlined Management: How to Build a Business Case for OHS Databases,” published in the December issue of The Synergist. The article is geared towards Industrial Hygienists looking to make the case to implement or improve Industrial Hygiene data management solutions within their organizations.
In her article, Monica discusses the qualitative and quantitative benefits an organization can derive from implementing a comprehensive, integrated electronic OHS database. She offers tangible return-on-investment (ROI) data from a study completed by Watson Wyatt (now Towers Watson) on behalf of Medgate. The study includes a survey of Medgate clients regarding the improvements they have realized since the implementation of their electronic health and safety software system. Those interested can also download the complete study on the ROI of health and safety software.
“The Synergist approached me to write this article because Industrial Hygiene (IH) professionals often recognize the value of IH databases but can find it difficult to justify the implementation of such systems to management,” states Monica. “I hope that this article will help Industrial Hygienists spearhead improvements in IH data management and effectively communicate to stakeholders how database improvements can positively impact OHS at their organization.”
At Medgate, Monica has played an active role in designing Medgate’s Industrial Hygiene software. She has worked with other in-house industry professionals as well as Medgate clients across various industries to ensure the product responds effectively to the complex and evolving demands of the Industrial Hygiene profession. Medgate’s Industrial Hygiene software includes modules to manage monitoring surveys and samples, qualitative exposure assessment, chemical management, equipment maintenance, and laboratory requisitions. Medgate has also published several white papers to help Industrial Hygienists better understand the value of Industrial Hygiene software.
Monica is a senior application consultant and member of the product design team at Medgate. She is also an active member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)’s IH Value Strategy Working Group and Computer Applications Committee. Monica will be presenting her article in a roundtable session at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHCe) taking place in Portland, Oregon in May of 2011.
The Synergist is published and distributed by the AIHA.