OSHA outlines new emergency temporary standard on COVID-19 safety for healthcare workers

Be prepared to quickly implement the elements of a new OSHA emergency temporary...

CDC encourages hospitals, urgent care centers to help vaccinate vulnerable populations

The CDC is encouraging hospitals and urgent care centers to step up outreach to vulnerable patient...

Coronavirus pandemic has eroded physician trust in several areas, survey finds

Physicians are essential players in the healthcare system. When physicians lack trust in...

Every once in a while…

Mac's Safety Space: As we continue to wind down from the various and sundry modifications that were made to the physical environment to provide appropriate care for patients...

More OSHA scrutiny on healthcare organizations, expanded whistleblower protections

In March, OSHA issued its Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The updates extend existing OSHA protections for workplace safety whistleblowers, explicitly stating those protections apply to those who report COVID-19 related violations at the workplace by creating a National Emphasis Program (NEP).

In addition, the memo also classifies industries based on the inherent COVID-19 risks for their workers. Naturally, those in the healthcare industry are considered at higher risk. This means that healthcare clinics and hospitals should expect more OSHA scrutiny, and possibly more OSHA surveys, than before. Whenever practical, OSHA will perform on-site surveys, but remote or partially remote surveys will also be an option.

TJC's business occupancy standards: Tips, suggestions for compliance

Just as in any other survey, remember that life safety surveyors will also be looking at Environment of Care (EC) compliance as they survey a business occupancy. 

In answer to a frequently asked question (FAQ) about whether EC plans were required for business occupancies, TJC answered yes, and so are emergency management plans.

Be aware of medication-related sunburn

With COVID-19 restrictions being lifted and vaccinations on the rise, many people want to go outside this summer. Whether it’s beach parties, camping, or BBQs, people are hoping to end their isolation and reconnect with their friends and loved ones.

And while the risk of contracting COVID-19 has gone down (for those taking the proper precautions), patients may forget about other summer hazards they might have missed out on in 2020. So as providers speak with their patients about to go camping, hiking, or surfing, they should review summer safety hazards.

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The CMS Conditions of Participation and Interpretive Guidelines

Compliance with the Conditions of Participation (CoP) is required to meet Medicare and Medicaid hospital regulations. While CMS posts updates to the CoPs on its website, they are often difficult to search and lengthy, not to mention tedious to print.

This is where HCPro comes in! We have taken the most recent version of CMS’ CoPs and the corresponding Interpretive Guidelines (IG) and reprinted them in an easy-to-use format to simplify your job. CMS updates the CoPs a few times a year. This new edition contains the most recent CoPs and Survey and Certification memos, which include new requirements on discharge planning, burden reduction, and antibiotic stewardship.

Order now

Brian Ward
Editor
bward@hcpro.com


HCPro
35 Village Road, Suite 200
Middleton, MA 01949
800-650-6787
http://www.hcpro.com

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Healthcare Life Safety Compliance

This award-winning monthly resource simplifies confusing code references so you can better protect your facility. You need Healthcare Life Safety Compliance to keep you up to date on the latest changes to the Life Safety Code (LSC), as well as The Joint Commissions Life Safety standards, NFPA codes, and related fire protection provisions to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.

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Keeping safety professionals up to speed with the always-changing policies of OSHA, CDC, EPA, and other healthcare regulatory agencies. Discover workplace health and safety tips written with facilities like yours in mind.