Hospital Employee Health – June 1, 2014
June 1, 2014
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NIOSH: Health care workers lack training, awareness of chemical risks
Health care workers exposed to hazardous chemicals in the workplace often lack training or awareness of safety measures, according to the largest-ever federally sponsored survey on health and safety practices in health care.1 -
Top OSHA hospital citation: Bloodborne pathogens
Thirteen years after the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act required health care employers to use safer sharps devices, hospitals were more frequently cited for violations of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard than any other occupational health and safety regulation. -
OSHA citations: A duty to address serious hazards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued five general duty clause citations against hospitals in Fiscal Year 2013, based on a provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act that requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. -
Despite safety gains, sharps discarded improperly
Sharps safety is widespread in U.S. hospitals, thanks in large part to the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act in 2001. However, a recent study shows a persistent hazard: A high proportion of sharps are being discarded unsafely. -
Employee health benefits of electronic health records
Increasing numbers of hospital employee health departments will move to electronic health records (EHRs) in coming years as health systems see the need for big data to better inform population health decisions. -
OSHA bulletin clarifies hospital responsibilities for temp workers
Hospitals that hire temporary workers share responsibility for their safety with the temporary staffing agency, according to a recent bulletin by the Occupational Safety & Health Agency (OSHA). -
Finding right staffing levels a challenge in employee health
Not too many years ago, the primary mission of employee health departments was to handle work-related injuries and job-related medical surveillance. Now the mission has expanded at many facilities to focus on overall health and well-being of the entire population of employees. -
Finally — HCWs will get a better respirator
Memories are still fresh of the challenges of respiratory protection during pandemic flu: Inadequate supplies, stockpiles with the wrong size or model, massive fit-testing. But good news is on the horizon. -
CDC begins work on updated IC guidance
Sixteen years have passed since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the 1998 Guideline for Infection Control in Health Care Personnel. Occupational health professionals and infection preventionists may soon get the updated, user-friendly guidance they need.