The Dangers of Prescription Opioids
Opioids are prescribed for pain ranging from moderate to severe. Prescriptions for opioids are common following surgery, injury, or to treat health conditions. Opioids prescribed to treat chronic pain are becoming more common. This is problematic as opioids can be harmful and the long term effectiveness of opioids is unknown. The Problem With Prescription Opioids […]
Sexual Harassment Scenarios in the Workplace
Sexual harassment is prevalent in the workplace and has been reported at increasing rates throughout the year. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission “reveals that since 2010, more than 7,000 claims have been filed with the commission annually.” This sudden increase of reported sexual harassment cases has resulted in several social movements. For example, the Me […]
Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace is effective in strengthening the workplace and providing equal opportunities for all employees. Diversity defines the workplace foundation and can include things ranging from class and gender to age and marital status. Whereas inclusion ensures equal opportunity and access to all resources. In order for diversity to be successful, […]
Emergency Action Plan Training for Healthcare Providers
Drafting an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and having trained, responsible individuals is important in ensuring the safety of employees. Preparation for emergencies is necessary because they often occur with no warning. In addition, employees must always understand their individual role and responsibility. Emergency Action Plans Development of an emergency action plan can vary depending […]
Circulation of Omicron COVID-19 Variant
The Omicron COVID-19 variant is quickly emerging around the world. The variant has been first identified in South Africa, but the origin and how long it has been circulating is still unknown. As of now, 23 countries have reported cases of this variant, and the numbers continue to rise. The United States has reported two […]
Recent COVID-19 OSHA Violations
A nursing facility in Bloomingdale, Illinois was fined after violating several OSHA COVID-19 protocols. A follow-up inspection conducted due to the new Emergency Temporary Standard and National Emphasis Program for Coronavirus Disease 2019 found many OSHA violations. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found one repeat and five health violations; […]
3M N95 Fit Test Training for Healthcare Providers
Fit Testing Fit testing is used to ensure that respirators are used and worn correctly for healthcare workers. This is because they are often in direct contact with patients who have infectious respiratory diseases. Before a worker first uses a respirator, they must go through an initial testing. After that, there is an annual fit […]
HIPAA Rules: Privacy, Security and Breach Notification
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also know as HIPAA, is designed to protect patient security. HIPAA allows patients to access their own health information, but also keeps that information protected from outside sources. The HIPAA Privacy, Security and Breach notification rules aim to provide security and privacy for all health information. Certain institutions […]
Violence in the Workplace
Violence in the workplace is a large issue that greatly affects the nation, specifically among safety and health professionals. Data collected from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has supported this ongoing issue. In addition, it shows the importance of taking future preventative action. Unfortunately, workplace violence often times goes unnoticed. Despite […]
The Role of Business Associates
Healthcare providers have a large responsibility and role. Because of this, they often need assistance from others to carry out specific healthcare tasks. So, providers can use business associates who provide their services to complete these tasks. What Is a Business Associate? A business associate is any person who assists a covered entity by doing […]
OSHA Standards in Healthcare
Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The administration aims to provide and ensure safe work conditions for employees. They do this through enforcing OSHA standards and providing specific training, education and assistance. Exposure Control Plan OSHA standards require several components of the exposure […]
Prevention of Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is any act in the workplace that involves physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other disruptive behavior. This can affect employees, clients, customers, and visitors and has a major effect nationwide. The third leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States is due to violence and other injuries. Risks of Workplace Violence The […]