AOHP - Alliance Annual Report - March 12, 2012

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the
Association of Occupational Health Professionals (AOHP) in Healthcare
March 12, 2012

  1. Alliance Background

    Date Signed

    February 19, 2004

    Date Renewed

    August 27, 2006

    April 28, 2008

    Overview

    The OSHA and AOHP Alliance is providing the association’s members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to patient-handling hazards, bloodborne diseases, and emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities.

    Implementation Team Members

    OSHA:

    Sheila Arbury - Office of Occupational Health Nursing, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management (DTSEM)
    Bret Besser - Salt Lake Technical Center, DTSEM
    Brently Donaldson - Office of Training & Educational Development, Directorate of Training and Education
    Morgan Seuberling - Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs

    AOHP:

    Barbara Brown - Solano County Health and Social Services Department; AOHP Member
    Stephen Burt - Healthcare Compliance Resources: AOHP Executive Vice President
    Al Carbuto - Jack Weiler Hospital Division/Montefiore Medical Center; AOHP Member
    Diane Dickerson - Inova Health System; AOHP Member
    June Duck - Sentara Healthcare; AOHP Member
    MaryAnn Gruden - Allegheny General Hospital; AOHP Association Community Liaison Chair-EHS Coordinator
    Betsy Holzworth - Culpeper Regional Hospital; AOHP Executive Secretary
    Sandra Domeracki - California Pacific Medical Center; AOHP President Emeritus
    Denise Strode - Knoblauch OSF Saint Francis; AOHP Member
    Dee Tyler - FinCor Solutions; AOHP Executive President

    Evaluation Period

    February 19, 2011 - February 18, 2012

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    April 5, 2011 - Implementation Team Meeting

    August 9, 2011 - Implementation Team Meeting

    November 9, 2011 - 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 and materials on bloodborne diseases and emergency preparedness for healthcare institutions and workers.

      During this evaluation period, the OSHA and AOHP Alliance Implementation Team has not completed work on programs or projects to address this goal.

      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 AOHP’s Web sites) to employers and employees in the industry.

      Products

      AOHP and OSHA Alliance-related Web Page

      The AOHP and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the AOHP Web site features information about the OSHA and AOHP Alliance, including a link to the OSHA and AOHP 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 Distracted Driving Initiative, the OSHA Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers, the OSHA Hospital eTool and a number of OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages.

      OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web Page

      OSHA continues to maintain and update the OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site. The page includes links to OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages, the Alliance’s activities and events and information on the Alliance’s products and resources.

      Print and Electronic Media

      Information on the activities of the OSHA and AOHP Alliance has appeared in print and online publications, including the AOHP Journal and the AOHPQuarterly Newsletter. In addition, an article entitled "Seasonal Flu" was written by MaryAnn Gruden and published in the December 2011 edition of the Alliance Quarterly Review (AQR). The AQR article offers information on how to stop the spread of infectious diseases such as influenza. For more information on the articles please see the "Alliance Program Reach" table.

      OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages

      An AOHP representative served on the editorial boards of the following OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages, providing OSHA with expertise and technical review until January 18, 2012:

      • Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
      • MaryAnn Gruden, CRNP, MSN, NP-C, COHN-/S-CM, Coordinator, Employee Health Services, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
      • Healthcare Facilities
      • MaryAnn Gruden, CRNP, MSN, NP-C, COHN-/S-CM, Coordinator, Employee Health Services, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
      • Medical and First Aid
      • MaryAnn Gruden, CRNP, MSN, NP-C, COHN-/S-CM, Coordinator, Employee Health Services, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA

      OSHA’s eTools

      AOHP representatives served on the editorial board of the following OSHA eTool, providing OSHA with expertise and technical review until January 18, 2012:

      • Hospital
        • Diane Dickerson, RN, MS, COHN-S/CM, SPHR Risk Manager, Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA
        • MaryAnn Gruden, CRNP, MSN, NP-C, COHN-/S-CM, Coordinator, Employee Health Services, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
        • Sandra Domeracki Prickitt, RN, FNP, COHN-S, Employee Health Services, California Pacific Medical Center, San Rafael, CA
        • June M. Duck, RN BSN, COHN-S, Occupational Health Services, Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk, VA
        • Jan Frustaglia, RN, BS, CCM, COHN-S, Case Manager, Lovelace Westside Hospital, Albuquerque, NM
        • Linda Goode, RN, MN, COHN-S, Manager, Employee Occupational Health Services, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA
        • Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA’s or AOHP’s conferences, local meetings, or other AOHP sponsored events such as the AOHP Annual National Conference.

      Event

      AOHP Annual National Conference, September 28 - October 1, 2011, Minneapolis, Minnesota

      OSHA supported AOHP’s National Conference through the following activities:

      • On September 29, 2011, Mary Bauer, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region V, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation entitled "OSHA Updates" to 200 health professionals attending the conference.
      • On September 28-30, 2011, Breca Tschida, Ergononics Program Coordinator, Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) and Jeff Wasvick, Industrial Hygienist, MNOSHA, staffed an Alliance exhibit booth.

      In addition, AOHP distributed products developed through the OSHA and AOHP Alliance to 180 conference attendees.

      • Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding AOHP’s best practices or effective approaches and publicize results through outreach by AOHP and through OSHA or AOHP’s developed materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures (or any other applicable forum).

      Products

      "Beyond Getting Started: Respiratory Protection in Healthcare Settings Web Reference Guide"

      Through the OSHA and AOHP Alliance, AOHP developed a reference guide for Web page resources and links that addresses respiratory protection in healthcare and posted it to the AOHP Alliance Web page. A link to the document is posted on the OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site.

      "Beyond Getting Started: A Resource Guide for Implementing a Safe Patient Handling Program in the Acute Care Setting"

      Through the OSHA and AOHP Alliance, AOHP revised the guidance document, initially published in September 2006, and posted the updated resource on the AOHP Alliance Web page. A link to the document is posted on the OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web page.

      • Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects related to patient-handling hazards, bloodborne diseases and emergency preparedness that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

      Events

      2011 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 1-7, 2011

      The Association of Occupational Health Professionals and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2011 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers, an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for 2011 was "Celebrating a Century of Safety."

      To help support the event, AOHP disseminated information about the 2011 NAOSH Week to its membership through publishing a press release, emailing NAOSH materials to AOHP staff and members, and by including promotional information on the AOHP Web page.

    2. Executive summary

      Through the Alliance Program, OSHA and AOHP are working together to develop resources that will focus on reducing and preventing exposure to patient-handling hazards, bloodborne diseases, and emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities. The positive relationship that AOHP has developed over the past eight years has led to the development of many projects that the team is currently working on or has produced.

      Through the Alliance Program, AOHP developed a reference guide for Web page resources and links that addresses respiratory protection in healthcare. The "Beyond A Getting Started: Respiratory Protection in Healthcare Settings Web Reference Guide" was posted on the AOHP Alliance Web page, and OSHA linked to the reference guide from the OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site.

      In addition, through the Alliance, AOHP revised the "Beyond Getting Started: A Resource Guide for Implementing a Safe Patient Handling Program in the Acute Care Setting" that was initially published in September 2006, and posted the updated resource on the AOHP Alliance Web page. A link to the document is posted on the OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web page.

      The Alliance is continuing to distribute information and increase awareness of safety and health issues for their industry professionals. AOHP invited OSHA representatives from a Region V Area Office to speak and staff an Alliance Program exhibit booth at their Annual National Conference, September 28 - October 1, 2011, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

      AOHP representatives shared their expertise with OSHA through participation on the editorial boards for the following OSHA Safety and Health topics pages until January 18, 2012:

      • Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
      • Healthcare Facilities
      • Medical and First Aid

      AOHP members also continued to serve on the OSHA editorial board for the Hospital eTool until January 18, 2012.

      Finally, as part of their outreach, AOHP supported and promoted the 2011 NAOSH Week by distributing information to members and adding information about the event on the AOHP Web site.

    3. Alliance Program Reach

      Type of Activity (Conference, Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.)

      Number of Individuals Reached or Trained

      OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web page
      on the Agency Web site

      No Data Available

      AOHP and OSHA Alliance-related Web page
      on the AOHP Web site

      No Data Available

      OSHA Blood Borne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention Safety and Health Topics page

      12,252

      OSHA Healthcare Facilities
      Safety and Health Topics Page

      218

      OSHA Medical and First Aid
      Safety and Health Topics page

      No Data Available

      OSHA’s Hospital eTool

      325

      December 30, 2011: "Seasonal Flu"

      Alliance Quarterly Review

      38 National Alliance Program participants

      Spring 2011 Edition: "OSHA at 40"

      AOHP Journal

      1,100

      Fall 2011 Edition: "OSHA Stakeholders Meeting Regarding Possible Infection Disease Standard" and"Resource Guide for Implementing a Safe Patient Handling Program in the Acute Care Setting"

      AOHP Journal

      1,100

      May 2011: "The Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP) Joins with the American Society of Safety Engineers, OSHA, to Promote Work Safety During N. American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week."

      AOHP Press Release

      No Data Available

      October 2011 Edition: "Resource Guide for Implementing a Safe Patient Handling Program in the Acute Care Setting"

      AOHP Quarterly Newsletter

      1,100

      September 28–30, 2011: AOHP Annual National Conference, September 28 - October 1, 2011, Minneapolis, Minnesota

      Alliance Program Exhibit

      180

      September 29, 2011: AOHP Annual National Conference, September 28 - October 1, 2011, Minneapolis, Minnesota

      Speaker: Mary Bauer, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Region V, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Area Office, USDOL-OSHA, gave a presentation entitled "OSHA Updates."

      200

      TOTAL

      16, 513
  4. Upcoming Milestones

In 2012, OSHA and AOHP will continue to focus on reducing and preventing exposure to patient-handling hazards, bloodborne diseases, and emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities. The OSHA and AOHP Implementation Team members will be discussing a number of activities to be undertaken in the upcoming year. For example, AOHP will develop a guidance document referencing Web resources for workplace violence in healthcare facilities. AOHP will also continue to provide their expertise to OSHA by providing feedback as requested on draft Web pages developed by OSHA.

In continuing the exhibiting and speaking goal, OSHA representatives will be asked to participate at the AOHP Annual National Conference. OSHA personnel from Region IX will be requested to staff an Alliance exhibit booth and to give a presentation at the conference, October 3-6, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Finally, AOHP representatives will be joining other Alliance Program participants to support the 2012 North American Occupational Safety and Health NAOSH Week, May 6-12, 2012, "Safety, What Every Business Needs."

Report prepared by: Morgan Seuberling, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, March 12, 2012