1. Alliance Background
   

Date Signed

October 3, 2006

Overview

The purpose of this Alliance is to provide information, guidance and training resources to reduce and prevent injuries and illnesses. This is to protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in preventing exposure to bloodborne pathogen hazards and other hazards related to medical and dental facilities.

Implementation Team Members

Nancy Hauter - OSHA
Cecilia Merino - Chicago Medical Society
Aloysius Kleszynski, DDS - Chicago Dental Society


2. Implementation Team Meetings
   

October 3, 2006: Met to discuss 2007 sessions
Nov 6 & 30, Dec 19, 2006, Jan 10, Feb. 20, Mar 20, April 26, May 30, June 17 & 28, Sept. 6 & 19, Oct. 23 2007: Emailed discussions


3. Activities and Products
   

Evaluation Period

October 2006 - October 2007

Alliance Activity


• Training and Education
  
  A total of 10 training sessions were held to educate health care professionals in regard to the necessity of annual safety and health training and education.
   
• Outreach and Communication
  
  During the training sessions, participants wrote their questions on index cards. The questions were answered on site. The cards were collected and a list of 25 most frequently asked questions (FAQ) - with answers - were provided to the Medical and Dental Societies. The Societies have posted these OSHA FAQs on their respective websites. The Medical Society is also printing a question intermittently in their member publication.
  
  OSHA staffed a booth at the Chicago Dental Society’s winter meeting, Feb 21 and 22, 2007. Publications were distributed and OSHA staff was available to answer questions.
  
  OSHA provided handouts at each training session. Handouts included: The OSHA poster, Best Practices for the Safe Use of Glutaraldehyde in Health Care, Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Service Workers, Model Plans and Programs for the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazard Communications Standards, Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers and Ethylene Oxide (EtO): Understanding OSHA's Exposure Monitoring Requirements.
   
• Promoting the National Dialogue on Safety and Health
  
  OSHA sent the Chicago Medical Society an article on Diacetyl - Popcorn Flavorings in an attempt to notify Doctors to look for the illness associated with it.
  
  OSHA wrote an article for both the Medical and Dental Societies regarding the OSHA Act, inspections and violations.

Alliance Products

Same as above.


4. Results
   


1. At the end of every training session, the attendees completed an evaluation form. Almost every attendee gave a very high score and said that they learned something new that they could apply to their own facility. Participants say they benefit from hearing what OSHA requires and having their questions answered.
 
2.  

Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.)	Number of Individuals Reached or Trained
Training conducted with Workbook	403
Conference booth	38,000
Articles	12,000
TOTAL	50,403



3. Other Issues that had a Bearing on the Alliance
   
   Continuing Education Units, (CEUs) have been awarded from the American Dental Association for the dentists.
   
5. Upcoming Milestones
   

OSHA will have a booth at the Annual CDS Conference and Meeting Feb 22-23, 2008. It is expected that over 32,000 people will attend.

The Chicago Medical Society is having their 64th Annual Midwest Clinical Conference March 27-29, 2008. OSHA will speak and staff a booth at the conference.

Approximately ten two-hour training sessions will be given on OSHA requirements during the next fiscal year. The course material will change from bloodborne pathogens and hazard communication to a bigger picture of OSHA requirements in health care settings.

Report Prepared by: Nancy Hauter and Cecilia Merino