Comments for OSHA Healthcare Advisor

Comment on Authors of N95 study retract findings by Steve

Steve — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:48:52 +0000

Thank You Carol. Let us not forget some of these very ill patients may actually have TB. A surgical mask is not recommended here.

Comment on Authors of N95 study retract findings by carol

carol — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:23:37 +0000

We are so focused on the H1N1, we seem to forget about all the other highly contagious, infectious diseases that are out there and also need to protect healthcare workers from.

Comment on Authors of N95 study retract findings by David LaHoda

David LaHoda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:33:28 +0000

While still awaiting the OSHA enforcement guideline for H1N1, my advice is to follow the CDC interim guidelines which allows for prioritization of N95s based on shortages.

If shortages are not a problem the guidance still recommends fit-tested N95s over face masks when in close contact with confirmed or suspected H1N1 patients.

If your are not going to use N95s than I suggest a close adherence to the hierarchy of controls listed in this post:

“Fast-track guide to H1N1 OSHA compliance”

Comment on Authors of N95 study retract findings by Teresa Deaver

Teresa Deaver — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Since CDC recommendations were based on this study from WALES, is there any hope that CDC will revere it’s decision???

Comment on Authors of N95 study retract findings by Sarah Maney

Sarah Maney — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:20:45 +0000

Ug. So is it still a “good faith measure” to proceed with fit-testing with the N95s at this point?

Comment on Droplet precautions, car waiting rooms, and other H1N1 tips from the field by Kimberly McHatton

Kimberly McHatton — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:48:32 +0000

If a client is diagnosed with the influenza like illness and it is suspected to be the H1N1 virus,how long do they stay in droplet precautions?
I have recommended that patients stay in isloation for 7 days and no longer symptomatic, whichever is the longest. And of course being afebrile for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. Is this correct?

Comment on Just for laughs, what’s wrong with this picture? by David LaHoda

David LaHoda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:01:18 +0000

Links to purchase it are above and here.

Comment on Just for laughs, what’s wrong with this picture? by Myrna M. De Fiesta

Myrna M. De Fiesta — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:46:05 +0000

How can we avail of this video, “Respirator Safety for Healthcare Workers”, we need it for our training program for Pandemic Influenza.

Thank you.

Comment on Ask the expert: Sticks with non-contaminated needles by Rosemary Gray

Rosemary Gray — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:57:09 +0000

If the source patient is negative for all ( HIV,HepB and HepC )do you need to do follow up on the person that had the sharp exposure.We do a baseline on the employee and follow up for 3 months if every thing is negative for the source pt. Some hospitals tell me if every test for the source is negative they only follow up if the employee wants to at 3 months.Can you clarify the standard

Thank You
Rosemary Gray

Comment on ANA nixes forced flu shots, except under special circumstances by Maureen Luschini

Maureen Luschini — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:19:17 +0000

Under bulleted item above: no discrimination against nurses choosing not to be vaccinated, etc. If vaccine is mandatory then choosing not to is not an option. Nurses have an ethical responsibility to their patients to protect from harm. If a safe and effective vaccine is offered as the optimal protection against infection, and is refused, how can the ANA take this stance and then take the rightous stance concerning N95’s. Consistency in approach to protect nurses shjould be ANA”s stance and not that which they cuurently espouse!!