AOHP - Alliance Annual Report - March 20, 2010

ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the
Association of Occupational Health Professionals (AOHP) in Healthcare
March 20, 2010

  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
    Sandra Khan*, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA), Directorate of Cooperative and State Plans (DCSP)

    AOHP:

    Diane Dickerson, Inova Health System; AOHP Member
    June Duck, Sentara Healthcare; AOHP Member
    Jan Frustaglia, Austin Community College; AOHP Member
    Linda Good, Scripps Memorial Hospital; AOHP Member
    MaryAnn Gruden, The Western Pennsylvania Hospital; AOHP Association Community Liaison Chair-EHS Coordinator

    Evaluation Period

    February 19, 2009 – February 18, 2010

  2. Implementation Team Meetings

    • March 31, 2009 Implementation Team Meeting
    • August 10, 2009 Implementation Team Meeting, Teleconference
    • November 9, 2009 Implementation Team Meeting, Teleconference

    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

      OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web Page

      OSHA maintains and updates the OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site regularly. The page contains information on the Alliance's products and resources, activities and events, and milestones and successes. For more information on the number of site visits, please see the "Alliance Program Reach" table.

      AOHP and OSHA Alliance-related Web Page

      AOHP continues to maintain and update the AOHP and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the AOHP Web site. The page includes links to OSHA's Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers, the OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web page on the Agency Web site, and OSHA's electronic assistance tools, including the Hospital eTool and Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention Safety and Health Topic page.

      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. For more information on the articles please see the "Alliance Program Reach" table.

      AOHP representatives serve on the editorial boards of the following OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages, providing OSHA with expertise and technical review:

      OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages

      • Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention

        • MaryAnn Gruden, CRNP, MSN, NP-C, COHN-/S-CM, Coordinator, Employee Health Services, West Penn Allegheny Health System, The Western Penn Hospital; Pittsburgh, PA

      • Healthcare Facilities

        • MaryAnn Gruden, CRNP, MSN, NP-C, COHN-/S-CM, Coordinator, Employee Health Services, West Penn Allegheny Health System, The Western Penn Hospital; Pittsburgh, PA

      • Medical and First Aid

        • MaryAnn Gruden, CRNP, MSN, NP-C, COHN-/S-CM, Coordinator, Employee Health Services, West Penn Allegheny Health System, The Western Penn Hospital; Pittsburgh, PA

      OSHA's eTools

      AOHP representatives serve on the editorial board of the following OSHA eTool, providing OSHA with expertise and technical review:

      • 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, West Penn Allegheny Health System, The Western Penn Hospital; Pittsburgh, PA
        • Sandra Domeracki Prickitt, RN, FNP, COHN-S, Employee Health Services, Marin General Hospital/Novato Community Hospital, 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.

      Events

      AOHP Annual National Conference, September 16-19, 2009, Portland, Oregon

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

      • On September 17, 2009, Richard S. Terrill, then-Regional Administrator, Region X, USDOL- OSHA, gave a presentation, "What's New at OSHA: Update 2009."
      • On September 16-18, 2009, Randy White, Area Director, Portland, Oregon Area Office, Region X, USDOL-OSHA, Ria Russell, Management Assistant, IT Systems Administrator, Region X, USDOL-OSHA and Paulo Pinto, Industrial Hygienist, Oregon-OSHA staffed an Alliance Program exhibit booth.

      In addition, AOHP distributed products developed through the OSHA and AOHP Alliance to 175 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

      N95 Respiratory Training and Fit Testing Verification Card

      Through the OSHA and AOHP Alliance and in conjunction with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's, National Personal Protective Technology Lab, AOHP developed a generic "N95 Respiratory Training and Fit Testing Verification Card." The card is a provides employees with a simple way to record the make and model of the respirator on which the employee was fit tested and provides safety tips for donning and doffing respirators. The card is posted on the AOHP and OSHA Alliance-related Web page and linked to from the OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web page and the Alliance Program Participants Developed Products page on the OSHA Web site.

      • 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

      2009 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, May 3-9, 2009

      The Association of Occupational Health Professionals (AOHP) and more than 55 other Alliance Program participants supported 2009 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), the Week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for 2009 NAOSH Week was "Safety Means Always Coming Home." To help support the event, AOHP disseminated information about 2010 NAOSH Week to it membership through publishing articles in the monthly newsletter and quarterly AOHP Journal, emailing promotional materials to AOHP staff and members and by including promotional information on the AOHP Web page. On May 4, 2009, Lydia F. Crutchfield, RN, BSN, Director, Employee Health, Carolinas Healthcare System, represented AOHP and attended the NAOSH Week Kick-off event in Washington, DC.

      2009 Drug-Free Work Week, October 19-25, 2009

      AOHP and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported the 2009 Drug-Free Work Week. 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.

    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 six years has led to the development of many projects that the team is currently working on or has produced.

      For example, through the Alliance, AOHP in conjunction with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's, National Personal Protective Technology Lab, AOHP developed a generic "N95 Respiratory Training and Fit Testing Verification Card." The card is a provides employees with a simple way to record the make and model of the respirator on which the employee was fit tested and provides safety tips for donning and doffing respirators. The card is posted on the AOHP and OSHA Alliance-related Web page and linked to from the OSHA and AOHP Alliance Web page and the Alliance Program Participants Developed Products page on the OSHA Web site.

      The Alliance is continuing to distribute information and increase awareness of safety and health issues for their industry professionals. AOHP invited OSHA representatives from the Region X Area Office to speak and staff an Alliance Program exhibit booth at their Annual National Conference, September 16-19, 2009, in Portland, Oregon.

      AOHP representatives are also sharing their expertise with OSHA through participation on the editorial boards for the following OSHA Safety and Health topics pages:

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

      AOHP members are also continuing to serve on the OSHA editorial board for the Hospital eTool.

      Finally, as part of their outreach, AOHP supported and promoted the 2009 NAOSH Week by distributing information to members, adding information about the event on the AOHP Web site, and had an AOHP representative attend the 2009 NAOSH Week Kick-off Event in Washington, DC.

    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 1,585
      AOHP and OSHA Alliance-related Web page on the AOHP Web site Data Not Available
      OSHA's Hospital eTool 21,245
      OSHA's Compliance Assistance Quick Start: Health Care Industry on the Agency Web site 6,332
      OSHA's Hospital eTool on the Agency Web site 335
      Summer 2009, "AOHP and OSHA Alliance Update"

      AOHP's Journal      		 1,100
      Fall 2009, "AOHP and OSHA Alliance Update"

      AOHP's Journal      		 1,100
      Winter 2009, "AOHP and OSHA Alliance Update"

      AOHP's Journal      		 1,100
      September 16-18, 2009: AOHP Annual National Conference, September 16-18, 2009, Portland, Oregon

      Exhibit Alliance Program      		 175
      September 17, 2009: AOHP Annual National Conference, September 16-19, 2009, Portland, Oregon

      Speaker: Richard S. Terrill, then-Regional Administrator, Region X, USDOL- OSHA, gave a presentation, "What's New at OSHA: Update 2009."      		 1,100
      TOTAL 45,328

  4. Upcoming Milestones

    In 2010, 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 complete a pocket card for healthcare employees that describe the steps to take post-exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

    AOHP will also continue to provide their expertise to OSHA by providing feedback on draft Web pages developed by OSHA as requested, such as the OSHA Web Page for Healthcare Professionals. In addition, AOHP representatives will continue to provide OSHA their expertise by serving on the editorial boards for the OSHA Hospital eTool and for OSHA Safety and Health Topics pages.

    In continuing the exhibiting and speaking goal, OSHA representatives will participate at the AOHP Annual National Conference. OSHA personnel from Region I, Boston, Massachusetts, has agreed to staff an Alliance exhibit booth, and give a presentation at the conference, September 15-18, 2010, in Boston, Massachusetts.

    Finally, AOHP representatives will be joining with other Alliance Program participants to support 2010 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, May 2-8, 2010, "Mission NAOSH 2010: Safe Workplaces."

    Report prepared by: Sandra Khan, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, March 20, 2010.