COVID Exposure or Infection? Next Steps

COVID-19 ETS

Determining the next steps when a worker has symptoms or has been exposed to COVD-19 can be tricky. First let’s review the definition of exposure: Being within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. An individual can spread the infection for 48 hours […]

OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS): Are You Exempt?

store ETS online course

In January of 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order which directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to take action to reduce the risk that workers may contract COVID-19. As a result of that order, Federal OSHA issued the OSHA COVID-19 ETS on June 21, 2021. The OSHA COVID-19 ETS applies to employers […]

OSHA JOINS WITH THE FDA TO ISSUE AN ALERT ON HAIOU SAFETY NEEDLES

Safety Syringe Needle Cover

The FDA is issuing an alert on Haiou safety needles as well as recommending healthcare providers stop using certain syringes and needles with needle safety devices manufactured by Guangdong Haiou Medical Apparatus Co., LTD. The FDA received information about quality issues, including certain Haiou needles detaching from the syringe and needle safety device failures. 1ml […]

STOP the Spread of Infection: What to Know

Science and Lab Research virus

There are many processes that must be followed in order to stop the spread of infection and prevent a susceptible individual from becoming ill. The individual could be the patient or the worker. This year is particularly challenging as we face the beginning of the influenza season while dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic. In […]

Coronavirus: Be Diligent and Don’t Panic!

coronavirus

The Coronavirus is very newsworthy at this point, but it is also very important to realize that during the 2018-19 influenza season, the United States reported an estimated 16.5 million people went to a health care provider for the flu, and more than 34,000 people died in the U.S. We need to keep a focus […]

STOP the Spread of Infection: 3 Things to Know!

girl has a cold infection control

There are many processes that must be followed in order to stop the spread of infection and prevent susceptible individuals from becoming ill. The individual could be the patient or the worker. In order to reduce the likelihood of spreading infection, remember these three important concepts. First Do No Harm Patient safety must always be […]

Let’s Talk Measles….Again

measels cases update map 2019

The measles outbreak continues. Cases have been confirmed in 30 states. As of July 25, 2019, there have been 1,164 cases reported, which is the largest reported number of cases since 1992 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000. In order to address this ongoing issue, the CDC published additional guidance in July to […]

Instrument Processing – Sterilization

autoclave instrument processing

To date, we have focused on the cleaning process and the importance of ensuring instruments are adequately cleaned and appropriately wrapped or packaged. April’s article ended with loading the sterilizer appropriately.  This month we will discuss the actual instrument sterilization process. The Sterilization Process Sterilization can be defined as the process of making an object […]

Measles Cases on the Rise in U.S.

measels cases update map 2019

In case you haven’t heard, we have a record number of measles cases documented in the US. At this point over 700 cases in 22 states have been reported, which is the highest number of cases since 2000, the year the disease was reported eliminated. Healthcare workers are considered at risk for exposure. Have you […]

Measles: Should Healthcare Workers Be Concerned?

measels and mumps anti virus concept

Until recent years the risk of being exposed to measles was not the first illnesses to come to mind when considering the risk of disease transmission from patients to healthcare workers. Even now there are reported outbreaks in many states of both measles and mumps. One can no longer be confident that during the delivery […]