Hospital Employee Health – May 1, 2004
May 1, 2004
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CDC TB guidelines hit fit-testing roadblock over ‘periodic’ testing
A firestorm over fit-testing has spilled over to another agency, derailing the release of draft tuberculosis guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If CDC recommends periodic fit-testing, will that be interpreted as annual fit-testing? If the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires annual fit-testing, should the TB guidelines be consistent with that? -
A reason to vaccinate: Flu led to staff shortages
Influenza had a major impact on the nations hospitals this season, filling up intensive care units and leading to staff shortages. The hardship caused by influenza has added vigor to campaigns to improve vaccination of health care workers. -
Guidance for workers on avian flu patients
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued this guidance related to avian influenza. Its recommendations are based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. -
‘Do I need to use the OSHA questionnaire?’
When the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revoked the TB-specific respirator standard Dec. 31, 2003, hospitals began scrambling to make sure they comply with the General Industry Respiratory Protection Standard (1910.134). -
Myth-buster: Patients like ergo equipment lifts
Duke University Health System, based in Durham, NC, busted this common assumption about ergonomic equipment with a patient satisfaction survey that showed that patients like the mechanical lift devices. -
Success story: Lift teams boost the bottom line
The verdict is in on lift teams at Tampa (FL) General Hospital: They save money and backs. They win kudos from nurses. Theyre here to stay. -
JCAHO Update for Infection Control: Joint Commission will roll out 2005 IC standards early
Underscoring the importance of its new infection control standards for 2005, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has decided to roll out the new requirements on a consultative basis for hospitals being surveyed from July to December of this year. -
JCAHO Update for Infection Control: APIC outlines ICP role in sentinel event analysis
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology recently posted information on its web site to assist infection control professionals (ICPs) in doing a sentinel event analysis. The information includes these highlights. -
JCAHO Update for Infection Control: Bar also being raised for long-term care facilities
While much attention has been paid to new hospital infection control standards for 2005, the Joint Commission also is adopting similar standards in long-term care facilities. -
JCAHO Update for Infection Control: JCAHO seeking patient safety award nominees
The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum (NQF) are accepting applications for the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety Awards, which recognize individuals and health care organizations that are making significant contributions to improving patient safety. -
HCWs want reliable, comfortable sharps
Reliability is the most important performance criteria for phlebotomy devices, but everything from patient care to comfort with the technique influences preferences of frontline users, according to a survey of health care workers by the Safety Institute of Premier Inc., an alliance of hospitals and health systems based in Oak Brook, IL. -
Didn’t vaccinate? You still can be prepared
Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA, hasnt vaccinated a single health care worker against smallpox. Yet the hospital is well-prepared for a possible smallpox event with a plan that would allow vaccination of 5,600 employees in a three-day period. -
Toronto nurse sues over second SARS outbreak
A Toronto nurse who contracted severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has sued the city, provincial, and federal governments, asserting that the public health authorities halted precautions too soon and put political considerations above health and safety concerns. -
Remembering a leader in occupational health
The occupational health community has been shaken by the loss of one of its leaders. Geoff Kelafant, MD, MSPH, FACOEM, 45, died unexpectedly March 16 while vacationing in Cancun, Mexico. -
Don’t miss program on JCAHO’s new IC standards
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has taken an unprecedented interest in improving infection control in the nations hospitals. In addition to making reducing nosocomial infections a national patient safety goal, the Joint Commission is preparing to roll out prescriptive new infection control standards for 2005.