OSHA Inspection: JACKSON CENTER NURSING HOME

Issued

Oct 24, 1990

Abate by

Nov 26, 1990

Penalty

Initial $720 · Current $720

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to:
(a) Health care workers, laundry workers, house keeping workers, re
sident living aides, registered nurses, were exposed to the hazards of
being infected by HBV and/or HIV through possible direct contact with
blood or other body fluids. Feasible and useful abatement methods for
reducing this hazard. among others, are:
(1) Offer exposed employees hepatitis B vaccinations free of charge
in amounts and at times prescribed by standard medical practices RN'S
perform the direct medical treatment eg injections, most treatment of
wounds, etc. Housekeeping would handle soiled linens, handle patients
clothing, dispose of regular and infectious waste, clean the room, and
clean the bathroom. Resident living aids (RLA) provide care to patients
such as bathing, help patient comb hair.
(2) Include in the written infection control program and the employ
ee training the follow-up procedures after possible exposure to HIV and
HBV. This may in volve procedures for HIV and HBV testing of the source
patient, HIV testing and retesting of the health care worker, and a re-
view of the health care worker immunization status for HBV.
(3) Include in the written infection control program that in addi-
tion to needlestick and cuts, possible exposure to HIV and HBV requiring
followmaucous, or mouth) exposure and cutaneous exposure when the worker
skin is chapped, abroded, or otherwise non-tact.