Hospital Employee Health – July 1, 2004
July 1, 2004
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OSHA hears plea for annual respirator fit-testing delay
Fit-testing is still on, but the timing may be off. Hospitals may take as long as a year to implement their annual fit-testing of filtering facepiece respirators used for protection against tuberculosis. -
Fire group allows alcohol rubs in hospital hallways
Hand hygiene may get a boost from more widespread use of alcohol-based hand rubs, as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) voted to permit dispensers in corridors of hospitals. -
CDC guide to PPE: Remove gloves first
There is a right way to put on and remove personal protective equipment (PPE). Now theres a step-by-step guide to teach health care workers how to do it. -
APIC: Boost health care workers’ flu vaccine rates
Immunize your health care workers against influenza every year, infection control officials are urging. -
Flu vaccine expands this fall to prevent shortages
The supply of influenza vaccine will be increased this year in an effort to prevent the shortages that occurred during the past flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced. -
Nurses still stuck with unsafe needles
Many nurses still do not have access to sharps safety devices, and conventional devices are available in most health care facilities, according to a survey conducted by Nursing2004.1 -
Union claims GPO swayed needle choice
A union complaint against Yale-New Haven (CT) Hospital alleges the hospital switched from a retractable needle to a safety device with a gliding cover because of a restrictive purchasing contract and without employee input. -
Cal/OSHA fines hospital in death of physician
John George Psychiatric Pavilion in San Leandro, CA, has been fined $54,000 for failing to take adequate precautions to prevent violent assaults against its staff. -
OSHA seeks employers’ input on SST inspections
Employers have a chance to give the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) an earful about its Site-Specific Targeting (SST) Inspection Program. -
Bioterrorism Watch Supplement