OSHA Gets Ball Rolling on Proposed Rule on Workplace Violence in Healthcare Facilities
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently took a major first step toward developing its anticipated standard regarding violence in the healthcare setting, titled “Prevention of Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance.” On March 1, 2023, OSHA convened a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel—an initial step in formulating a new standard that gives representatives of small businesses and small local government entities an opportunity for input. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Rite Aid Agreement Calls for Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Program
Following an incident in which a clerk was told to clean up spilled blood from an injured customer, Rite Aid Corp. must now implement a safety program to better protect employees against hazards related to bloodborne pathogens at its 370 stores in New Jersey and New York. The move is in accordance with an agreement with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration following an investigation into the 2022 incident at a Rite Aid store
Extending Sharps Safety Beyond Hospitals
Drug delivery device designers must consider patient capability in home environments rather than the typical devices engineered for healthcare professionals. Needlestick injuries have fallen 30% since implementation of the U.S. Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act (NSPA) in 2001, but sharps injuries still remain a major occupational hazard. Every year, hospital-based healthcare personnel endure 320,000 needlestick injuries and other sharps-related injuries, roughly 1,000 sharps injuries per day. And, as self-administration in non-clinical settings continues to climb,
Johns Hopkins Professor Speaks on Cutting Healthcare Waste, Highlights New Partnership with Liberty School of Health Sciences
Liberty University School of Health Sciences welcomed Johns Hopkins University Professor of Surgery Dr. Marty Makary to campus on Sept. 14 to share on prevalent issues within the healthcare industry, such as the extreme costs of healthcare and insurance and the importance of challenging current scientific misconceptions. Makary serves as the chief of Islet Transplant Surgery for Johns Hopkins. He is a leading healthcare expert, a Fox News contributor, and a New York Times bestselling
Kaiser Settles for $47 Million Over Dumping Medical Waste
On Sept. 8, with six district attorneys, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals resolving allegations that the healthcare provider unlawfully disposed of hazardous waste, medical waste, and protected health information at Kaiser facilities statewide. As part of the settlement, Kaiser will be liable to pay up to $49 million and required to take steps to prevent future unlawful disposals. Kaiser: Will pay $47.250
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Kaiser to Pay $49M to California for Illegally Dumping Private Medical Records, Medical Waste
SAN FRANCISCO — Healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente is settling a $49 million dollar lawsuit with the state and multiple counties throughout California. State Attorney General Rob Bonta says they took action after allegations Kaiser improperly disposed of hazardous waste and failed to protect sensitive patient information. “Kaiser is our state’s largest healthcare provider, it operates more than 700 facilities and treats more than 8.8 million Californians. If they don’t follow the law, if they are
Bloodborne Pathogens Training: Why It’s Important
Each year, it is estimated that there are approximately 3 million workplace exposures to bloodborne pathogens, risking employee health, not to mention costing employers millions of dollars. Despite this statistic, it is a common train of thought that bloodborne pathogens aren’t something people usually need to be worried about. While bloodborne pathogens can be deadly, they are not airborne or infectious through touch. Rather, bloodborne exposures are commonly due to accidental punctures in most work
Sharps Injuries: Are You Taking Your Risk Seriously?
When it comes to healthcare, the safety of both patients and healthcare workers is paramount. One often overlooked but critical aspect of healthcare safety is the proper disposal of sharps. Sharps injuries, which include needle sticks and cuts from other sharp medical instruments, can have serious consequences for everyone involved. As a responsible medical waste disposal company, Waste Medic is here to shed light on this important issue and help you understand why it’s crucial
