April News Roundup

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It’s a busy world out there and it can be tough to keep up on all the news. Here are three compliance-related news stories to keep you “in the know.” Alexa is getting a HIPAA upgrade Alexa the voice-controlled digital assistant from Amazon, is commonly used for home automation, entertainment streaming, and various administrative functions, […]

OSHA and Electrical Safety

In any OSHA inspection, the inspector will always check out your basic safety on electrical hazards. There are three reasons why OSHA will always pay attention to electrical safety during inspections AND why any electrical citations will always be considered a serious violation and carry a fine. Electrical shock can be fatal. According to OSHA, […]

A Better Way to Communicate: Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

biohazard ghs

Prior to 2012, the Hazard Communication Standard, as we knew it, remained somewhat of a mystery. It was difficult to teach and even more difficult to learn due to the lack of consistency and uniformity. Non-compliance seemed to be a result of a failure to understand more so than a willful lack of care. The […]

Your New Friend: Safety Data Sheets

We’ve all seen that dusty manual that has been pushed to the back of the cabinet in labs and sterilization areas. Formally known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Safety Data Sheets (SDS) often find their home in a book that is rarely read. Safety Data Sheets can be your best friend if you are […]

Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act

running from needle syringe

Many busy healthcare providers know how important it is to prevent needlesticks, but they will draw a blank when asked to explain the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000. Why do we have to follow it? Just like the requirement to wear a seat belt when you drive, following the Needlestick Safety and Prevention […]

Dental Unit Waterline Quality Testing Services

dental chairs water lines

Waterlines used in any dental unit that has a water supply, such as syringes and ultrasonic scalers, can become contaminated with biofilm, a coating of microorganisms. To prevent infection, the CDC recommends that dental unit water used in non-surgical procedures is maintained at the same cleanliness standard set for drinking water by the Environmental Protection […]

ADA Publishes Statement on Opioid Use

opioid epidemic

  CNN reports that the United States is in the throes of an opioid epidemic. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 11.5 million Americans age 12 and older misused prescription pain medicine in 2016. The International Narcotics Control Board reported that in 2015, Americans represented about 99.7% of the world’s […]

Compressed Gases: Safe Storage and Handling

compressed gases safe storage and handling

Who would have ever thought that those little, red fire extinguishers, mounted on walls in picture framed boxes, could be deadly? A fire extinguisher is a pressurized vessel that, like any compressed gas, can turn into an exploding bomb due to unsafe storage or handling. No matter how large or small the cylinder, compressed gases […]

OSHA Announced Changes to the Recordkeeping Regulations in 2016

changes to the recordkeeping regulations

When the new president took office in January 2017 these changes to the recordkeeping regulations were stopped.  OSHA just announced that part of these regulations will now go into effect in December.  Employers who, under the past rules, had to post a copy in their office of their OSHA 300A report (Summary of Work-Related Injuries […]

The Emergency Preparedness Act and Active Shooter Protocol

Congress passed a new set of laws on emergency preparedness and active shooter protocol that will go into effect on 11/15/2017.

Congress passed a new set of laws on emergency preparedness and active shooter protocol that will go into effect on 11/15/2017. These laws are part of Medicare/Medicaid. The rule addresses concerns regarding the ability of healthcare facilities to plan and execute appropriate emergency response procedures for disasters, both manmade (e.g. terrorism, shooters) and natural (e.g. […]