Hospital Employee Health 2005-01-01

Congress halts the enforcement of annual tuberculosis fit-test rule

Federal enforcement of the annual fit-testing requirement has been halted for at least a year, as Congress intervened in the tuberculosis-related rule. Meanwhile, new draft federal TB guidelines leave some ambiguity by recommending periodic fit-testing, while acknowledging regulations that require annual fit-testing.

No OSHA citations for hospitals on ergo

Enforcement related to ergonomic hazards remains light more than two years after the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) trained inspectors to recognize and document those hazards. More than 1,000 inspections of nursing homes generated only 10 citations related to ergonomics. They were among only 16 employers nationwide who received such citations.

Absenteeism may hit hospitals this flu season

Brace yourself for a tough flu season. Absenteeism could become an issue for many hospitals as unvaccinated employees with respiratory symptoms miss days of work.

Slow flu start helps the vaccine effort

In a bad-news year for influenza vaccination, public health authorities are glad for some good tidings: The flu season began slowly and the vaccine promised to be more effective than last years mismatched version.

CMS to approve hand-rub dispensers in hallways

Hospitals soon will get a green light from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to install dispensers of alcohol-based hand rubs in hallways. Last year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) amended its 2000 and 2003 Life Safety Code to allow the convenient use of dispensers and set criteria for their installation, but CMS rules still prohibited the use.

Hospital finds wellness is an EH way of life

An employee comes to employee health with blood pressure thats out of control. Another has diabetes and isnt good at managing her diet. Another has a headache from a sinus infection. Is that your problem?

Hospital employees answer the ‘Fitness Challenge’

It was a challenge issued to the beat of a step class, the pace of a race walk, the strength of a stream of push-ups. The reward for the team who won the Fitness Challenge at DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur, GA: $1,000 to split and a paid day off.

Getting unstuck: Hospital finds safe zone in the OR

Never let up. That is what Greenville (SC) Hospital System learned about reducing sharps injuries in the operating room. It takes a sustained effort to keep rates down.

Readers Write

Following the death of a Virginia hospital nurse from tuberculosis, an article in The Virginian-Pilot (Simpson E, Hardy K. Aug. 1, 2004) raised questions regarding the nurses case. Specifically, how could her illness have gone undetected in a hospital, and should anything be changed to keep such cases from occurring again?

Hospital Employee Health – January 1, 2005

January 1, 2005