Archive for: Weekly Poll Questions
Weekly Poll: Safe injection practices
With significant attention surrounding safe injection practices and the millions of flu shots that will be administered over the next few months, patients have a heightened awareness of safety measures during these injections.
Has a patient ever called you out during an injection, either because they were concerned for their own safety or because they recognized a worker’s safety issue? If you’ve had some unusual encounters, share your experience in the comments section below.
Weekly Poll: Required flu shots
Last week we blogged about a developing regulation in New York State that would require healthcare workers to receive the seasonal flu vaccine, and potentially the H1N1 vaccine if it comes out.
As you might imagine, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) is not pleased with this regulation. They’ve added their testimony and some talking points about the issue, but it seems the State Hospital Research and Planning Council (SHRPC) is moving forward unflinchingly.
We’ve already received a number of comments regarding this issue, but it’s certainly worth a poll question if only to get an accurate temperature reading from OSHA Healthcare Advisor community. Should states require flu vaccinations for healthcare workers? As always, we welcome additional comments below.
Weekly Poll: H1N1 respiratory protection
Lately, there has been a debate among healthcare and employee safety experts about respiratory protection for healthcare workers against influenza A H1N1. It’s a debate that is becoming increasing more important as medical facilities finalize their pandemic planning and prepare for what could be a difficult flu season.
Some experts suggest that healthcare workers will have enough protection with surgical masks, while others contend N95s are the only legitimate form of protection. What do you think? Let us know your reasoning in the comments section below.
Weekly Poll: H1N1 vaccine
Last week the CDC announced the pecking order for those receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine (when it actually comes out, that is). Healthcare workers are at the top of the list, but given the struggle many facilities face just getting workers to get the seasonal flu vaccine, it will be interesting to see how many employees want to get another one on top of that.
Would you get vaccinated for H1N1 if you had the opportunity? Let us know your reasons in the comments section below.
Weekly Poll: Workplace MRSA infections
Prevention of MDROs including MRSA is a major concern for healthcare facilities large and small. In smaller facilities in particular, one study has shown MDROs are increasingly dangerous.
Although much of the focus remains on patient safety, the spread of bacteria can potentially infect workers as well, which highlights the importance for enforcement of best-practices and proper use of personal protective equipment.
Weekly Poll: Pandemic communication
A blog post from last week focused on a California hospital where employees have appealed to Cal/OSHA claiming the hospital is miserly about providing N95 respirators and inadequately isolating suspected H1N1 patients.
This potential struggle brings up a legitimate question for any medical facility preparing for the upcoming flu season: Have you communicated your pandemic and respiratory plans to your employees?
Weekly Poll: Blowing the whistle
When healthcare workers witness a potentially serious infection control or safety violation, it’s their duty to point it out the proper authority. But that’s not always as easy as it sounds. Employees might fear for their jobs or their careers if they they see a colleague making an egregious error.
After some of the unsafe injection practices that occurred in Nevada last year the state passed laws providing more protection to “whistle blowers,” but would you feel comfortable pointing out IC or safety problems in your facility?
Weekly Poll: An OSHA MRSA standard
Two weeks ago Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) reintroduced a bill that would require medical facilities to screen test high risk patients for MRSA and report MRSA rates publicly. The bill would also require OSHA to develop a standard to protect healthcare workers and first responders from MRSA infections.
Two weeks ago Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) Do you think legislation is the correct way to protect workers? Should OSHA create a MRSA standard to protect healthcare workers?
Weekly Poll: Summer dress codes
Once the warm weather of summer hits many facilities are inclined to allow some leniency with their dress code policy. We’ve already discussed workplace attire including the safety and infection control hazards of capri style scrubs and Crocs, but what do you think? Do relaxed summer dress codes put employees at risk or is it an opportunity for flexibility?
Weekly Poll: Are respirators neccessary?
A recent position paper by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) recommends the use of surgical masks as opposed to N95 respirators for protection against the H1N1 virus. According the paper, SHEA is in ongoing discussions with the CDC regarding this type of protection, particularly during flu season.
What do you think of this advice? Would you rather wear a surgical mask than a respirator?
