What is the primary goal of employee health programs in healthcare settings?

The primary goal of employee health programs in healthcare settings is to protect healthcare workers from occupational hazards and infections. These programs are designed to promote the health and safety of employees, which is essential in a healthcare environment where staff are frequently exposed to various risks such as infectious agents, hazardous materials, and physical injuries. By focusing on prevention strategies, surveillance, and health education, these programs help mitigate risks, ensuring a healthier workforce and reducing the likelihood of workplace-related illnesses and injuries. This ultimately leads to improved patient care quality, as healthy and well-supported staff are more effective in providing care.

The other options, while important in their own contexts, do not directly address the primary focus of employee health programs. Increasing employee wages pertains to labor relations and compensation strategies, ensuring staff competency relates to training and skill development, and managing employee disputes involves human resources practices rather than a health-focused approach.