COVID Exposure or Infection? Next Steps
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?
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
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 […]
OSHA: IS IT REQUIRED OR JUST RECOMMENDED?
One of the most common questions we receive is “Is OSHA required or just recommended?” This question has been especially prevalent during the current pandemic. People want to know if they really have to follow the rule or if it is merely a suggestion. However, that is not what the words mean when it comes […]
STOP the Spread of Infection: What to Know
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 […]
Pandemic Preparedness Plan
TMC is pleased to provide an updated, more robust Pandemic Preparedness Plan. The updated plans include a very thorough Hazard Assessment Certificate, worker and visitor screening logs, and a tracking document for the ordering of respirators and other PPE and fit testing supplies. These PDF fillable plans, specific to medical and dental are complimentary […]
Respiratory Protection in Healthcare
March of 2020 marked the beginning of a new era in public health. Healthcare workers and compliance experts in infection prevention and control have been busy keeping up with everything there is to learn about the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the corresponding changes needed to provide safe health care such as proper respiratory protection. Wearing […]
OSHA TRAINING DELAY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
All potentially exposed healthcare workers are required to have training in bloodborne pathogens “at the time of initial assignment to tasks where occupational exposure may take place” and “at least annually thereafter.” Unlike other types of training, OSHA has not released any new guidance on this issue. This means the rules are still in effect. […]
Back to Work during COVID-19: OSHA Info for Medical & Dental Practices
Everyone is headed back to work. Businesses are slowly reopening, and we are all trying to figure out how to make “the new normal” work for us. It is an exciting time that it is also filled with a considerable amount of anxiety. Some workers may feel it is too soon to be back in […]
Getting Back to Work with COVID-19
As practices are turning the corner and looking to the future, there may be many questions that need answers prior to ramping up the business. This webinar will provide a review of the most recent guidance on the protection of workers and patients as healthcare strives to return to some sort of normalcy. Included with […]