All Entries in the "CDC/infection control" Category
OSHA’s big messages with new H1N1 compliance directive
Just a quick note that OSHA today posted a compliance directive that helps guide inspectors as they visit hospitals treating potential or confirmed H1N1 swine flu patients.
I think there are two broad messages to take out of the compliance directive: [more]
With OR humidity, follow CMS and risk assessment findings
There is a great deal of not-quite-controversy relative to humidity concerns in operating rooms (OR) because of the personal comfort aspect.
The American Institute of Architects’ 2001 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Healthcare Facilities indicate a temperature range [more]
In halting mandatory flu shots, NY had to step back
For now, the war drums in New York state can stop beating. In an about-face, New York Governor David Paterson announced yesterday that healthcare workers in the state will no longer be required to receive seasonal or H1N1 flu vaccinations as a condition of employment.
Let’s be blunt: It’s hard to win a battle against nurses. They collectively fuel the engine that runs healthcare, and they also possess a powerful voice. Some nurses get flu shots, some don’t. What New York’s initial rule and subsequent backtracking show [more]
CDC revisions continue to recommend N95 use, but acknowledge supply shortages
The CDC issued revised interim guidelines yesterday to protect healthcare workers from the H1N1 swine flu virus.
The biggest news is that the CDC continues to recommend that healthcare workers wear N95 respirators when [more]
Sinks, ice machines, and a little infection control
A little while back, I was asked about an under-the-sink area that was dirty with chipped Formica along the bottom of the sink cabinet. The same organization had dripping ice machines that were rusty.
As it turns out, there is a dual applicability to these problems, as they can be curtailed [more]
Poll results: At least 25% of workers won’t get H1N1 shots
If you didn’t catch our update in last week’s Hospital Safety Connection e-newsletter, I wanted to briefly mention the results of our informal H1N1 poll that we conducted on the main HCPro.com site.
In short, one in four respondents said they would not get an H1N1 swine flu shot as part of their work duties. Click here for full details on the results.
9/16 webinar on how IC ties into employee safety
We’ve got a great Webinar coming up on Wednesday called “Developing an Effective IC Program to Ensure Employee Health and Safety,” which takes place at 1 p.m. Eastern. You can also order it on-demand and watch it at your convenience if the initial broadcast time doesn’t fit into your schedule.
Among the topics our experts will discuss include how employee health ties into:
- CDC guidelines and OSHA standards for staff member immunization
- Personal protective equipment and respiratory protection
- Screening and exposure protocols
This show is part of our series, Infection Prevention Core Training.
Take our poll about the H1N1 vaccine for healthcare workers
As I’m sure you’ve heard in your hospital hallways, there’s a lot of talk about the safety and effectiveness of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine.
The CDC has put healthcare workers who have contact with patients as one of the top priority groups to receive the H1N1 shots when they become available.
We’ve got a poll up on our main HCPro site asking whether you will get an H1N1 vaccine. Click here and then scroll to the bottom of the page to take the poll.
Let us know what you think, and I’ll report back on the results in a few days.
From infection control to South Park . . .
CMS is trying to tie hospital-acquired infections to reimbursement. Of course, ratcheting down on reimbursement only [more]
H1N1 call brings up hospital access control, sick employees
I listened in on a CMS open forum conference call this afternoon about H1N1 preparedness in healthcare facilities, and the topic of infection control in hospitals came up.
A CDC representative noted that [more]
