The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) on occupational exposure to infectious diseases in health care settings. The purpose: to gather information on exposures and how employers are reducing these exposures. OSHA will use the information collected to determine whether it needs to take further action to limit the spread of occupationally-acquired infectious diseases in health care settings. The agency could potentially promulgate an infectious disease standard or issue guidelines or a set of best practices.
The AHA encourages hospitals, including CAHs and other small hospitals, to respond to the RFI, and to share the steps you take to protect employees and patients against infectious disease. Let OSHA know that the health and safety of your employees are top priorities. The attached Regulatory Advisory provides more details. The deadline for submitting information to OSHA is August 4.
ASHES recommends connecting with your infection preventionist to assist in the response effort. We also recommend being prepared with documentation that will support your organization’s response to OSHA. Documentation to validate employee training, consistant with ASHES Practice Guidance and staff behavioral compentencies, should include but not be limited to:The AHA has provided a 13 page document outlining the advisory. To review the document click here.
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