OSHA Healthcare Advisor

OSHA fines are down, but not for long

David LaHoda — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:37 +0000

Even though this is the second straight year OSHA healthcare violations have seen a decline, the trend is not likely to continue. OSHA under President Obama has an increased budget, including 130 new inspectors, according to remarks made earlier this summer by acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jordan Barab.

APIC conference updates: Ambulatory care

Evan Sweeney — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:35:29 +0000

More updates from APICs "Healthcare-associated infections: A changing legal and regulatory landscape. This session might be of particular interest to the OSHA Healthcare Advisor audience since it focused specifically on HAI prevention in ambulatory surgery centers (ASC).

APIC conference updates: A legal perspective

Evan Sweeney — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:31:39 +0000

Updates from APIC's conference, "Healthcare-associated infections: A changing legal and regulatory landscape." This post focuses on legal issues surrounding healthcare-associated infection.

APIC conference updates: Pronovost’s opening remarks

Evan Sweeney — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:56:12 +0000

We are live blogging from APIC's November conference, Healthcare-associated infections: A changing legal and regulatory landscape," which is being broadcast via webcast. Peter Pronovost was the opening speaker and some his major points are detailed here.

Ask the expert: PPE for dental assistants

David LaHoda — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:11 +0000

Q: Can you let me know if dental assistants are required to wear personal; protective equipment (PPE), and if so what are the options for cleaning it. A: PPE is not based on the job title, but the hazards present. It is the employer’s responsibility to identify hazards and address those hazards.

Infection Prevention Handbook offers IC guidance for new IPs

Evan Sweeney — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:48 +0000

With CMS regulations that require ASCs to appoint a trained employee in charge of the infection control program, and even state regulators surveying non-accredited ASCs, "The Infection Prevention Handbook" might fit the bill for someone who needs quick, succinct, and efficient guidance.

WHO releases updated H1N1 guidance; information on caring for TB patients

Evan Sweeney — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:46 +0000

Last week the World Health Organization (WHO) released recommendations on caring for TB patients who may have contracted the H1N1 virus. A substantial number of H1N1 related deaths have occurred in patients with chronic respiratory illnesses, leaving TB patients particularly susceptible.

Notes From the field: Floored on sharps container location

Kathy Rooker — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:19:59 +0000

Let's play drop the clothespin into the bottle. Those were my exact thoughts as I watched a physician as he dropped a needle and syringe into a small sharps container that was sitting on the floor.

Tracking flu absenteeism

David LaHoda — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:45:40 +0000

NIOSH is studying healthcare worker absenteeism from influenza and is interested in hearing about the details of any hospital-based systems in which absences can be tracked.