Useful Links
Resource Links
Government Affair Links
CDC Links
Sites of Interest
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OSHA-Group Letter Supporting Wicker’s Amendment |
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Clarification on Alcohol-Based hand Rubs (ABHR) |
The Joint Commission’s official stand on the use of alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHR) |
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ABOHN - Certification |
| ABOHN announces the Availability of a Safety Management Credential for Certified Occupational Health Nurses... COHN-S/SM or COHN/SM | |
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Safe Lifting Program |
| SafeLiftingPortal.com offers you instant access to a broad array of information, resources and services designed to support your safe patient handling and caregiver injury prevention programs. |
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AHRQ Website |
| The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released several new tools and models to aid emergency health care personnel during public health emergencies, such as hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They include standardized hospital bed definitions for organizations tracking the availability of beds; emergency preparedness models that provide guidance on personal protective equipment, decontamination, isolation/quarantine, and laboratory capacity; and an updated computer model for predicting the number and type of staff needed to respond to a major disease outbreak or bioterrorism attack on a given population. Additional disaster response tools and resources can be found on the AHRQ Web site. | |
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JCAHO Website |
| JCAHO standard for LIPs and volunteers, stating need for
immunity checks, immunization and post-exposure FU. Standard IC.4.10 Once the hospital has prioritized its goals, strategies must be implemented to achieve those goals. Rationale for IC.4.10 The hospital plans and implements interventions to address the IC issues that it finds important based on prioritized risks and associated surveillance data. Elements of Performance for IC.4.10 1. Interventions are designed to incorporate relevant guidelines* for infection prevention and control activities. Interventions are implemented which include the following (EPs 2 and 3): 2. A hospitalwide hand hygiene program that complies with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hand hygiene guidelines† Note: The preceding EP is not scored here. It is scored at National Patient Safety Goal 7, Requirement 7A. 3. Methods to reduce the risks associated with procedures, medical equipment,‡ and medical devices, including the following: _ Appropriate storage, cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and/or disposal of supplies and equipment _ Reuse of equipment designated by the manufacturer as disposable in a manner that is consistent with regulatory and professional standards _ The appropriate use of personal protective equipment 4. Implementation of applicable precautions, as appropriate, is based on the following: _ The potential for transmission _ The mechanism of transmission _ The care, treatment, and service setting _ The emergence and reemergence of pathogens in the community that could affect the hospital Interventions are implemented which include the following (EPs 5–7): 5. Screening for exposure and/or immunity to infectious diseases that licensed independent practitioners, staff, student/trainees, and volunteers may come in contact with in their work is available as warranted 6. Referral for assessment, potential testing, immunization and/or prophylaxis/treatment, and counseling as appropriate of licensed independent practitioners, staff, students/trainees, and volunteers who are identified as potentially having an infectious disease or risk of infectious disease that may put the population they serve at risk 7. Referral for assessment, potential testing, immunization and/or prophylaxis/treatment, and counseling as appropriate of patients, students/trainees, and volunteers who have been exposed to infectious disease(s) at the hospital and licensed independent practitioners or staff who are occupationally exposed 8. Reduction of risks associated with animals brought into the hospital (such as, management of animal waste). |
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| About Joint Commission: To continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. JCAHO Website. | |
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NIOSH |
| December 2006 Broadening the Reach for Best Practices of Handling Antineoplastic Drugs Work of NIOSH researchers providing recommendations on best practices for controlling occupational exposures involving antineoplastic drugs in health care settings appears in the December 2006 issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/current.shtml). The journal, which is published by the American Cancer Society, describes itself as the most widely circulated cancer journal in the world. The article, “Preventing Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic Drugs in Health Care Settings,” broadens the audience reach of the 2004 NIOSH Alert on Hazardous Drugs (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-165, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-165/) to include oncologists, primary care physicians, and nurses. This is the most recent information available promoting safe handling of antineoplastic drugs for the more than 5.5 million healthcare workers potentially exposed. Recent studies have shown that workers continue to be exposed despite improvements in safety policies and procedures since the 1980s. Contact Tom Connor at TConnor@cdc.gov for more information.. |
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| NIOSH Offers Storm and Flood Cleanup Information Resources
Workers and volunteers involved with flood cleanup should be aware of the potential dangers involved and the proper safety precautions, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Work-related hazards that could be encountered include electrical hazards, carbon monoxide, musculoskeletal hazards, heat stress, motor vehicles, hazardous materials, fire, confined spaces and falls. Links to information about hazards associated with storm and flood cleanup can be found on the NIOSH Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flood. |
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Worker Health Chartbook |
| NIOSH recently released its 2004 Edition of the Worker Health Chartbook.
The Chartbook provides baseline and trend data to support researchers,
program development, and the evaluation of impact measures. The Chartbook
resources have been made available in a variety of formats (government
document, HTML, acrobat/PDF), and the underlying data and charts are
available for downloading as MS Excel files and encapsulated postscript
EPS files. The Chartbook includes more than 400 figures and tables.
The Web site for the Chartbook is available at http://www.cdc.
gov/niosh/docs/chartbook/. The data available to utilize from
this document will be reviewed along with how it can improve one’s
knowledge, skills and abilities in the use of occupational surveillance
information. |
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National Immunization Program (NIP) |
| The National Immunization Program (NIP) is a part of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, located in Atlanta, Georgia. As
a disease-prevention program, NIP provides leadership for the planning,
coordination, and conduct of immunization activities nationwide. |
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| OSHA LInks | |
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OSHA |
| OSHA's mission is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. | |
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Labor-developed articles on the AOHP and OSHA Alliance January 2008 |
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OSHA Safety and Health Topics Pages |
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OSHA eTools |
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OSHA/AOHP Alliance Press Release |
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OSHA, Association of Occupational Health Professionals Renew Alliance dated October 10, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Occupational health professionals in healthcare settings have a new guidance document for patient handling, thanks to an Alliance established between OSHA and the Association of Occupational Health Professionals more than two years ago. The Alliance will continue its focus on reducing and preventing exposure to patient-handling hazards, bloodborne diseases, and emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities. Click here for more information. |
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Hurricane Katrina Recovery |
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Information about the AOHP/OSHA Alliance |
| Information about the AOHP/OSHA Alliance | |
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OSHA Information - Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention |
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OSHA Information - Healthcare Facilities |
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OSHA Information - Biological Agents |
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OSHA Information - Emergency Preparedness and Response |
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OSHA Information - Hospital and Community Emergency Response |
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OSHA Information - Nursing Homes and Personal Care Facilities |
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OSHA Information - OSHA Best Practices for Hospital |
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This QuickCard (English on one side and Spanish on the other) offers tips to help ensure that employees stay safe on the road. Print copies of the laminated cards will be available from OSHA's Publications Office in September 2006. The QuickCard is a companion to Guidelines for Employers to Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes, which was issued earlier this year by OSHA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety. |
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While most ATV-related injuries and fatalities occur during recreational use, workplace use of ATVs is increasing in some industries. This bulletin identifies: 1) the operating conditions and activities that most often lead to ATV-related injuries and fatalities, 2) guidelines and training employers can use to help protect employees, and 3) work practices that employees can follow to reduce the potential for ATV-related accidents. |
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Association of Occupational Health Professionals Alliance Milestones and Successes (2005, March). |
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Sign up for free list to network with others in the practice of medical center occupational health |
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ISIPS |
| The International Sharps Injury Prevention Society (ISIPS) has been formed to reduce the number of accidental sharps injuries that occur globally by promoting the use of safety-engineered products and services. ISIPS is an international group of medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers, health organizations, healthcare professionals, medical waste disposal experts and others that are joining forces to provide education, information, and product knowledge that will help reduce the number of sharps injuries that occur each year. | |
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Federal Legislative information: |
| http://thomas.loc.gov/ | |
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Search bills and resolutions: |
| http://thomas.loc.gov/home/search.html | |
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How to find your House Representative: |
| http://clerk.house.gov/members/index.html | |
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How to find your Senator: |
| http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm | |
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House activity this week: |
| http://www.house.gov/floor/thisweek.htm | |
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Senate majority activity: |
| http://republican.senate.gov/index.cfmFuseAction=Home.MonthlyView | |
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Senate minority activity: |
| http://democrats.senate.gov/calendar/2005-05.html |
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CDC Website |
| http://www.cdc.gov/ | |
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NATIONAL INSTITUTE for OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
and HEALTH Updated Guidance on How to Design Safe Lifting Jobs! December 2005 |
| http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/lifting1.html | |
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CDC Emergency Preparedness (hurricane) |
| http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.asp | |
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CDC Flu Resources |
| http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ | |
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Promote Healthcare Worker Vaccination Flyer |
| Two free new resources are now available on CDC's website to promote
the vaccination of healthcare workers: an 8-1/2" by 11".
flyer and a 16" by 24" poster. Both pieces were developed
with the input from 65 healthcare workers across the country.They
can be printed in black and white, or color, and can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/default.htm#healthcare |
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NATIONAL INSTITUTE for OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY and HEALTH - December 2005 |
| Updated Guidance on How to Design Safe Lifting Jobs! http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/lifting1.html |
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Influenza Vaccination of Health-Care Personnel |
| Read More | |
| CDC Updates | |
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April 2007 New Bulletin Alliance Program A joint publication between OSHA and NIOSH/CDC titled, "Use of Blunt-tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel" has been posted on either the OSHA or NIOSH web sites. The bulletin supports the use of blunt-tip suture needles in surgery when clinically appropriate. It was reviewed and incorporates recommendations from JCAHO, practicing surgeons, members of the American College of Surgeons, the Association of Peri-Operative Registered Nurses, OSHA regional offices, NIOSH, CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), academia, and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. The link to the OSHA news release with links to the SHIB on both the OSHA and the NIOSH WebPages is http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=14099 OSHA and NIOSH intend to promote the SHIB by wide dissemination to all stakeholders with an interest in surgical safety and would appreciate the assistance of Alliance Program participants, (e.g., JCAHO, AORN, AOHP, others) in ensuring that their members receive notice of this bulletin. OSHA highly value the role Alliance Programs play in the dissemination strategy. |
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CDC Health Update April 15, 2006 Multi-state Mumps Outbreak |
| Download update | |
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CDC Health Alert Update, Anthrax Feb 22, 2006 |
| Read More | |
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CDC Updates To Information And Guidance |
The following updates were made to CDC information and guidance from September 8-15, 2005. Hurricane-Related Documents and Resources Recently Released or
Updated Keep it With You (KIWY) Personal Medical Information Form
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CDC Issues New Guidelines for Detection of Tuberculosis Dated 12/16/2005 |
| CDC Issues New Guidelines for Detection of Tuberculosis; Recommends QuantiFERON-TB GOLD as Alternative to Traditional Skin Test Posted on: 12/16/2005 | |
| CDC Health Advisory | |
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Interim Immunization Recommendations For Individuals Displaced By Hurricane Katrina - September 5, 2005 |
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Guidelines for the Management of Acute Diarrhea - September 5, 2005 |
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Cases Of Vibrio Vulnificus Identified Among Hurricane Katrina Evacuees - September 07, 2005 |
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| FDA and CDC Issue Alert on Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine | |
 Download
Health Advisory |
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| MMWR Recommendations and Reports | |
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The MMWR Recommendations and Reports |
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[OEM] MMWR/R&R 05-12-16, QuantiFERON(r)-TB Gold Test is OK |
| http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5415a4.htm?s_cid=rr5415a4_e Guidelines for Using the QuantiFERON(r)-TB Gold Test for Detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection, United States Prepared by Gerald H. Mazurek, MD, John Jereb, MD, Phillip LoBue,
MD, Michael F. Iademarco, MD, Beverly Metchock, PhD, Andrew Vernon,
MD Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, National Center for HIV,
STD, and TB PreventionThe material in this report originated in
the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Kevin Fenton,
MD, PhD, Director, and the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination,
Kenneth G. Castro, MD, Director.Corresponding address: CDC/National
Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention/Division of Tuberculosis
Elimination; 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS E-10, Atlanta, GA 30333. |
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These
reports contain in-depth articles that relay policy statements for
prevention and treatment on all areas in CDC's scope of responsibility
(e.g., recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices).
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OHDEN, the Occupational Health Disaster Expert Network | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| http://ohden.sph.unc.edu/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pandemic Influenza Information Site for Workplace and Workforce Planning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| http://ohden.sph.unc.edu:9002/pandemic/ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pandemic Influenza Information Site-Recent Updates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| http://ohden.sph.unc.edu:9002/pandemic/updates.htm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FREE SOFTWARE! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. | NEW!! FluWorkLoss – to estimate the potential number of days lost from work due to an influenza pandemic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tools.html | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. | FluSurge 2.0 - to aid public health and hospital administrators plan for an influenza pandemic-related surge in demand for hospital resources. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tools.html | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. | FluAid 2.0 - To aid state and local public health officials plan, prepare and practice for the next influenza pandemic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tools.html | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4. | Instructions to estimate impact of next pandemic using 1968 and 1918 - type scenarios; Available at: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tools.html | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5. | Maxi-Vac AND Maxi-Vac Alternative - to aid the planning of large-scale smallpox vaccination clinics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/maxi-vac/index.asp
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