KSHE Update

 

Save the Date: September 28 - 30, 2021
Owensboro Convention Center

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) on Monday, June 21, to protect health care workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19. The ETS applies, with some exceptions, to health care settings where people may share space with COVID-19 patients or interact with others who do. The ETS requires health care employers to develop and implement a COVID-19 plan that identifies and controls COVID-19 hazards in the workplace.

The ETS is effective as of June 21 and has a compliance date of July 5, 2021, with the exception of paragraphs (i), the use of cleanable or disposable solid barriers at fixed work locations outside of direct patient care areas; (k) ventilation requirements; and (n) training requirements, all of which have a compliance date of July 21.

In regard to the physical environment, the ETS requires:

Health Facilities Management
A new handbook from the American Society for Health Care Engineering provides an introduction to what health care facility managers should know to be successful in performing their duties.

Health Facilities Management
A campaign that stressed the benefits of real-time location systems helped one health system gain staff support for the technology.

Medical Construction & Design
Steps being taken to improve infection control practices in construction including focusing on indoor air quality and improving cleaning protocols.

facilitiesnet.com
Recognizing the positive contributions of staff can be an inexpensive way to boost morale.

The Joint Commission
As of late April, Life Safety Code surveyors from The Joint Commission are citing as noncompliant CAH suites with less than three feet of side-to-side clearance.

Health Facilities Management
Energy-efficient freezers are expected to save one facilities millions over the next decade.

facilitiesnet.com
Facility managers are preparing as some U.S. cities move forward with plans to tighten energy performance standards for buildings.

The orientation of technicians and contractors in healthcare is a patient safety issue that we should all be talking about. Help us get the word out, and let us know how Safe Day One has helped your facility. Please share your experiences with us at info@safedayone.org and follow us today!
 
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