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ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)
December 14, 2008

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    December 15, 2006

    Evaluation Period

    December 15, 2007 – December 14, 2008

    Overview

    The OSHA and AORN Alliance is providing AORN’s members and others, including perioperative healthcare providers, with information, guidance, and access to training resources to protect employees’ health and safety. Through the Alliance, the organizations are addressing preventing exposure to bloodborne diseases, and exposure to smoke plume generated from the use of electrosurgery units (ESU) and lasers.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Sheila Arbury, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management (DTSEM)
    Sandra Khan, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
    Dionne Williams, Directorate of Enforcement Programs (DEP)

    AORN:

    Susan Bakewell, Education Program Professional
    Byron Burlingame, Perioperative Nursing Specialist
    Joan Blanchard, PeriOperative Nursing Specialist
    Liz Coldiron, Product Marketing Manager
    Garth Jordan, Vice President, Member Strategy, Sales and Marketing
    Cathy Kleiner, Vice President, Research and Nursing Resources
    Janet Knox, Executive Assistant, Research and Nursing Resources
    Tim Meyers, Director, Information Technology
    Mary Ogg, PeriOperative Nursing Specialist
    Carol Petersen, PeriOperative Nursing Specialist
    Susan Root, Manager, Center for PeriOperative Education
    Deb Spratt, Clinical Specialist

     
  2. Implementation Team Meetings
     
    • February 19, 2008 Hospital eTool Development Team Meeting
    • April 23, 2008 Implementation Team Meeting
    • May 13, 2008 Surgical Suite Module Conference Call
    • May 28, 2008 Department of Labor Safety Day Conference Call
    • August 4, 2008 Surgical Suite Module Conference Call
    • August 12, 2008 Surgical Suite Module Conference Call
    • September 3, 2008 Implementation Team Meeting
    • November 19, 2008 Implementation Team Meeting
    In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from both groups maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Alliance’s progress and results.

     
  3. Results
     
    1. Events and Products

      Training and Education Goal
       
      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise to develop training and education programs for AORN members and others regarding the prevention of percutaneous injuries.
      Products

      Slide Presentations

      Through the Alliance, AORN is developing two slide presentations, “Sharps Safety in the Operating Room: Creating an Injury Prevention Program” and “Use of Blunt-Tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel,” that provide information about creating and implementing a Sharps Safety Program. The presentations will be completed in 2009.

      Outreach and Communication Goals
       
      • Work with OSHA to provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA’s and AORN’s Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.
        Products
      OSHA and AORN Alliance Web Page

      OSHA continues to maintain and update the OSHA and AORN Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site. The page has links to news releases and information on the Alliance’s activities and events and their milestones and successes. For more information on the number of visits to the OSHA and AORN Alliance Web page, please see the “Alliance Program Reach” Table.

      AORN and OSHA Alliance-related Web Page

      The AORN and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the AORN Web site features information about the OSHA and AORN Alliance, including a link to the OSHA and AORN Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site. The page also includes a number of links to additional safety and health resources, including the OSHA and AORN news releases, the OSHA Hospital eTool, and a number of OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages. For more information on the number of site visits please see the "Alliance Program Reach" table.

      Publications and Newsletters

      AORN’s monthly publications, Connections and Management Connections featured articles about the OSHA and AORN Alliance. The November 2008 edition included, “OSHA releases updated surgical module for Hospital eTool.” For more information on articles, see the “Alliance Program Reach” table.

      OSHA Safety and Health Topics Pages

      AORN representatives, Darin Prescott, RN, Centracare/St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, Minnesota; Anita Shoup, RN, Molnlycke Health Care US, LLC; and Judy Hawkins, RN, Womens and Childrens Hospital, Lafayette Louisiana, serve on the following OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages editorial boards:
       
      • Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
      • Computer Workstations
      • Dermal Exposure
      • Eye and Face Protection
      • Fall Protection
      • Fire Safety
      • Formaldehyde
      • Laser/Electrosurgery Plume
      • Laser Hazards
      • Latex Allergy
      • Personal Protective Equipment
      • Radiation
      • Reproductive Hazards
      • Waste Anesthetic Gases
         
      • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or AORN’s conferences, local meetings, such as the annual AORN Congress or other AORN sponsored events.
      Events

      55th AORN Annual Congress, March 30-April 3, 2008, Anaheim, California

      On April 1, 2008, Peter Wilsey, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region IX, San Francisco, California Area Office, USDOL–OSHA, gave a presentation, " Hot Topic: What To Expect When OSHA Visits Your OR," at the AORN Annual Congress in Anaheim, California. In addition, Ryan Tremain, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, OOSA, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, USDOL-OSHA staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth and distributed OSHA compliance assistance materials.
       
      • Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding AORN’s best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by AORN and through OSHA or AORN’s developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).
      During this evaluation period, no products or resources have been developed
      to meet this Alliance goal.
       
      • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects related to ergonomic injuries, bloodborne diseases and exposure to surgical plume that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.
      Products

      OSHA Hospital eTool

      Through the Alliance, AORN representatives and other Alliance Program participants including the Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) and The Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources (JCR) participated on the Agency update of the Hospital eTool. AORN provided an extensive review of the Surgical Suite Module, including smoke plume, waste anesthetic gases, static and awkward postures, and bloodborne pathogens. The revised eTool was posted on the OSHA Web site in September 2008. In addition, AORN representatives will continue to serve on the tool’s editorial board.

      2008 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 4-10, 2008

      AORN joined more than 40 other Alliance Program participants to support and promote 2008 NAOSH Week, May 4-10, 2008. A link to the event on ASSE’s Web site was added to the OSHA and AORN Alliance Web page on the OSHA Web site and to the AORN and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the AORN Web site. Patrick Voight, then-President Elect of AORN, attended the NAOSH Week Kick-off event on May 5, 2008, at the Department of Labor in Washington, DC. The goal of the Week, “Safety is Good Business," focused the attention of employers, employees, the general public and all partners in occupational safety, health and the environment on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace.

      2008 Multispecialty Conference, October 2-7, 2008, St. Louis, Missouri

      Representatives of the OSHA and AORN Alliance and the OSHA and Laser Institute of American (LIA) Alliance worked together to provide the Medical Laser Safety Certification Course at the 2008 Multispecialty Conference, on October 6-7, 2008. Seventy-five participants completed the course. Because a large number of AORN members were unable to take the course, AORN and LIA agreed to provide the course at the 2009 AORN Annual Congress in Chicago Illinois on March 15-16, 2009.

      2008 Drug-Free Work Week, October 20-26, 2008

      AORN and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported the 2008 Drug-Free Work Week, October 20-26, 2008. Sponsored annually by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace Program, the Week focused on educating employers, employees and the public about the importance of being drug-free as an essential component of a safe and healthful workplace. AORN added information about the Week and a link to the Week on the AORN and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the AORN Web site and included information about the Week in AORN’s Perioperative News Update, publication.
       
    2. Executive Summary

      Through the Alliance Program, OSHA and AORN are working together to share information on preventing exposure to bloodborne diseases, ergonomic injuries and exposure to smoke plume generated from the use of electrosurgery units (ESU) and lasers.

      To meet the Alliance’s goals, OSHA and AORN continued a number projects, including making presentations and exhibiting at conferences and meetings, to share health care related safety and health information. For example:
       
      • AORN representatives are sharing their expertise through developing slide presentations about creating and implementing a Sharps Safety Program.
      • OSHA continues to update the OSHA and AORN Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site. The Web page includes links to the OSHA and AORN Alliance agreement and information on the Alliance’s activities and events and milestones and successes.
      • AORN continues to maintain its AORN and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the AORN Web site. The Web page includes links to the OSHA and AORN Alliance agreement, news releases and OSHA publications, including “Protect Yourself Avian Flu Healthcare Workers,” QuickCard, and “Use of Blunt-Tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel,” Safety and Health Information Bulletin.
      • AORN representatives are also sharing their technical expertise with OSHA and are serving on the editorial boards of fourteen OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages and the OSHA Hospital eTool.
      • On April 1, 2008, Peter Wilsey, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region IX, San Francisco, California Area Office, USDOL–OSHA, gave a presentation, " Hot Topic: What To Expect When OSHA Visits Your OR," at the 55th AORN Annual Congress in Anaheim, California.
      • OSHA representatives staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth and distributed OSHA compliance assistance materials at the 55th AORN Annual Congress.
      • AORN worked with OSHA and other Alliance Program participants, including AAOHN and The Joint Commission/JCR to update the Agency Hospital eTool. The revised Hospital eTool was posted on the Agency Web site in September 2008.
      • AORN supported and promoted the 2008 Drug-Free Work Week, October 20-26, 2008 by adding information about the Week to the AORN Web site and in its publication, Perioperative News Update.
      • AORN supported and promoted the 2008 NAOSH Week May 4-10, 2008 by adding information on the AORN Web site and in its publications, Connections and Management Connections.
         
    3. Alliance Program Reach

    Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and
    Electronic Distribution, etc.)    		 Number of Individuals
    Reached or Trained
    OSHA and AORN Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site 6,245
    AORN and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the AORN Web site Data Not Available
    Blood Borne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 24,387
    Computer Workstations
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 207,288
    Dermal Exposure
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 8,566
    Eye and Face Protection
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 21,027
    Fall Protection
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 69,987
    Fire Safety
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 77,436
    Formaldehyde
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 34,890
    Laser/Electrosurgery Plume
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 8,566
    Laser Hazards
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 21,002
    Latex Allergy
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 8,566
    Personal Protective Equipment
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 114,879
    Radiation
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 31,752
    Reproductive Hazards
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 8,566
    Waste Anesthetic Gases
    Safety and Health Topics page    		 8,566
    OSHA Hospital eTool 112,023
    OSHA Compliance Assistance Quick Start: Health Care Industry 12,745
    April 1, 2008, 55th AORN Annual Congress
    Anaheim, California

    " Hot Topic: What To Expect When OSHA Visits Your OR"

    Speaker: Peter Wilsey, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region IX, San Francisco, California Area Office, USDOL–OSHA    		 250
    April 2008, “OSHA Teams with ASSE, CSSE and Industry Groups to Promote Job Safety During North American Occupational Safety and Health Week”
    Management Connections    		 22,500
    April 2008, “OSHA Teams with ASSE, CSSE and Industry Groups to Promote Job Safety During North American Occupational Safety and Health Week”
    Connections    		 500
    2008 Multispecialty Conference
    October 2-7, 2008
    St. Louis, Missouri    		 75
    October 2008, “Drug-Free Work Week, Oct. 20-26, 2008
    Perioperative News Update    		  
    November 2008, “OSHA releases updated surgical module for Hospital eTool”
    Management Connections    		 22,500
    November 2008, “OSHA releases updated surgical module for Hospital eTool”
    Connections    		 500
    TOTAL 863,500

    4.  
  4. Upcoming Milestones

    In 2009, OSHA and AORN will sign an Alliance renewal agreement and continue to focus on health and safety issues that address preventing exposure to bloodborne diseases, exposure to smoke plume generated from the use of electrosurgery units (ESU) and lasers, and laser safety. The OSHA and AORN Alliance Implementation Team members have discussed a number of activities that will be undertaken in the upcoming year. For example, in 2009 AORN will complete and add the slide presentations, “Sharps Safety in the Operating Room: Creating an Injury Prevention Program,” and “Use of Blunt-Tip Suture Needles to Decrease Percutaneous Injuries to Surgical Personnel,” to the AORN and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the AORN Web site. OSHA will link to the presentations from the OSHA and AORN Alliance Web page, the Alliance Program Participants Developed Products Web page and other appropriate locations on the Agency Web site.

    In addition, AORN representatives will continue to provide their expertise to the Agency by serving on the editorial boards of fourteen OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages and the Agency Hospital eTool.

    AORN and LIA representatives’ will provide the Medical Laser Safety Certification Course on March 15-16, 2009 at the 56th 2009 AORN Annual Congress. In addition, OSHA representatives will staff an Alliance Program exhibit booth and distribute OSHA compliance assistance materials and publications related to the health care industry.

    Further, AORN will support and promote the 2009 NAOSH Week, “Safety Means Always Coming Home.”

    Finally, the AORN will continue to promote OSHA compliance assistance materials and the OSHA and AORN Alliance through its Web site and including articles in its publication, Connections and Management Connections.

    Report prepared by: Sandra Khan, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, February 2, 2009.