It’s Your Call February 2022
OSHA: Has OSHA relaxed any of the covid-19 guidance for employers? No. Although the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) has been withdrawn, OSHA is working towards a permanent regulatory solution and will enforce the general duty clause and general standards. Therefore, employers should continue to provide adequate protections against covid-19 for healthcare employees. This includes, but […]
It’s Your Call January 2022
OSHA: What were the top Federal OSHA citations in healthcare during the pandemic? The penalties below were retrieved from OSHA’s webpage listing industry specific citations from October 2020 to September 2021. HIPAA: My co-worker is loud when he talks to patients. Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule say anything about talking to patients if one might […]
It’s Your Call December 2021
OSHA: What is the frequency for fit testing per OSHA? The OSHA regulations state the following: 1910.134(f)(2) The employer shall ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually […]
It’s Your Call November 2021
OSHA Trivia: When was the Occupational Safety and Health Administration established by Congress? OSHA was established by Congress under President Richard Nixon on April 18, 1971. Before that date, very few states had decent worker protection laws. Workers could only accept dangerous conditions or find a new job. Presently, employers have a greater responsibility to […]
It’s Your Call October 2021
OSHA: Recall the four most common ways to spread germs and decide how you should protect yourself. Contact: Think of contaminated surfaces that are touched and how the germs are spread when hand hygiene is not performed. Sprays & splashes: Imagine a person sneezing. Now think of where the droplets/germs land. Not only do […]
It’s Your Call September 2021
OSHA: The OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) is aimed at protecting workers from the grave dangers of covid-19 hazards. However, some employers are exempt. Several offices are described below. Identify which office(s) would be exempt from the ETS. Circle all that apply. The pediatric practice provides testing and treatment for covid-19 patients screens everyone prior […]
It’s Your Call – August 2021
OSHA: Why did OSHA issue the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS)? OSHA determined that SARS-CoV-2 is a grave danger for workers in healthcare settings, and studies have been conducted to validate this claim. Although the General Duty Clause imposes a general duty for employers to keep a workplace free of recognized hazards, it fell short of […]
It’s Your Call July 2021
OSHA: What should we know about the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant? The B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant is a mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and it has been reported in 77 countries including the United States and in the United Kingdom. Of the 3 variant classifications, the Delta variant is considered a variant of concern (VOC) because it […]
It’s Your Call June 2021
OSHA: Several of our vaccinated employees have a greater risk of being exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and the potential for prolonged, close contact with someone with SARS-CoV-2. If vaccinated workers are asymptomatic, what testing is recommended? The CDC recommends a series of two viral tests: one immediately and the other one 5-7 days after exposure. Furthermore, […]
It’s Your Call May 2021
HIPAA: How many enforcements have been issued by the OCR in their HIPAA Right of Access Initiative? Answer: As of April 28, 2021, there have been 18 enforcements that all include a monetary penalty and a 1-2 year corrective action plan and monitoring by the OCR. The highest penalty was issued to a facility that […]