Archive for the ‘Regulatory’ Category
OSHA is holding inspections of ambulatory surgical centers, freestanding emergency clinics, and primary care medical clinics in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi from April 25 to September 30, 2012, to examine their sharps safety programs. Those found in violation can be subject to citations and/or fines. It should go without saying that this is a critical time to review your sharps safety program and make sure you are following OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 1910.1030.
From OutPatientSurgery.net, March 2010:
Citing new evidence of infection risks associated with poorly laundered surgical attire, AORN is taking a strong stance against the home laundering of scrubs and personal protective equipment in a new recommended practice currently up for public comment.
The revised Recommended Practice for Surgical Attire states that scrubs and PPE should be laundered in a healthcare-approved or accredited laundry facility, not in the home. Click here for the rest of the article.
You will definitely want to read this article on the potentially very expensive fines for healthcare companies found in violation of OSHA’s regulations, particularly for laundries not supplying their staff PPE. HLS’ stance is the fines should not be the reason for following the regulations as you should be putting your employees’ safety first and foremost. But what if you have an employee refuse to wear PPE? See this article for how to handle this situation.