Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: UNAPEQUIP

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to communicable biological diseases: a)facility - where employees were providing care for patients with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the employer did not institute precautionary measures to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases such as MRSA from patients to employees. One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard are but not limited to: a)Provide training on all routes of transmission of infections, the proper personal protective equipment to be used and infection control practices to be utilized for specific care procedures depending on the different body system infected. Ensure employee on going training is updated regarding the status of any resident with infection. b)Stock the appropriate personal protective equipment (i.e. gowns) that is easily accessible for patient care. c)Place discreet signs or colored labels on rooms for appropriate precautionary measures that should be taken when caring for specific patients. d)Use administrative controls, such as limited access by non essential personnel by closing the door to patients room. Use equipment dedicated to that patient, to limit the need to decontaminate equipment such as blood pressure cuffs or tourniquets and even writing implements that can be taken out of the room and possibly expose other patients (who have weakened immune systems). Reference: 42 CFR 483.65 (a) Infection Control, which references the use of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines such as; Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Non-Hospital Healthcare Settings (December 2000).ber