Archive for: May, 2009
Ask the expert: MSDS information by telephone
Q: Is receiving material safety data sheet (MSDS) information by telephone an adequate backup for an electronic MSDS system?
Weekly Poll: Respirator fit-testing
When cases of influenza A H1N1 began to spread a little over two weeks ago, one of the biggest challenges for healthcare facilities around the country was quickly fit-testing employees.
For example, in California, Cal/OSHA issued guidance saying that having no plan or an incomplete respirator protection plan should not prevent employers from providing N95 masks to employees. Still, properly fit-testing employees as soon as possible was the best way to protect healthcare workers and prevent the spread of the disease. The FDA recently released a Q&A page regarding personal protective equipment such as respirators.
Last week, we uploaded two more video clips from Respiratory Safety for Healthcare Workers, which offers guidance for respiratory protection.
How did your facility hold up? Did you have a plan to quickly fit-test employees?
Ask the expert: HBV vaccination dilemma
Q: A new employee says she thinks she had the hepatitis B vaccination (HBV) series of three injections several years ago. She is not sure about a titer, and records are not available. What do we do for OSHA compliance?
Tragic UCLA lab fire is a safety reminder
This past Monday state regulators fined UCLA more than $31,000 for three “serious” violations involving the fatal burning of a staff research assistant in December during a chemistry lab fire, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Two new respirator protection video clips
I just wanted to drop a quick reminder to everyone that we just uploaded two new video clips into the Video Library regarding training and employee use of N95 respirators.
The hand hygiene game
A couple weeks ago I blogged about infection control violations at Boston-based Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Whether they are simply trying to re-polish their good name, or find more entertaining ways to clamp down on compliance after Department of Health citations, the facility has come up with a way to adhere to hand hygiene compliance through competition.
Ask the expert: N95 respirator reuse
Q: Regarding N95s, one of our physicians stated that they could be used for up to eight hours before disposing of them. Is this accurate?
A: Because disposable N95 respirators are designed for one-time use, neither the manufacturers nor NIOSH, which certifies respirators, guarantees protection for extended or multiple use.
Weekly poll: Swine flu hype
There’s been more than enough coverage of the worldwide swine flu outbreaks, from updated CDC guidelines, news releases from the World Health Organization, and general media coverage. While some are beginning to bunker down because of the warnings, others claim they remained unafraid. In some areas of the country the slightest cough has drawn worried looks or cleared the room.
Do you think the recent swine flu outbreaks should invoke legitimate fear, or are they much ado about nothing?
In California, act first on swine flu; train later
In California, where a former action-film hero is the Governor, it’s not surprising that action trumps training when it comes to providing healthcare workers with respirators for swine flu.
Notes from the field: What’s the difference, mask vs. N95 respirator?
This week several medical practices asked what is better for protection against the current influenza A (H1N1), swine flu, face masks or N95 respirators?
A mask is a paper device that will slow or stop large droplets (sneezing, splashes, and sprays) that may infect you.
