OSHA Inspection: ST. MARY HOSPITAL

Issued

Jun 11, 1993

Abate by

Sep 12, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
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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: the hazard of being infected with Mycobacterium
tuberculosis through patient contact and special procedures such as
aerosolized pentamidine treatment, bronchoscopy, suction procedures,
sputum induction and autopsies:
Sixth and Fifth Floors, North;
a)  Nurses, nurses aides, respiratory therapists, transporters, social
workers, phlebotomists, doctors, and housekeeping personnel were
exposed to the hazard of being infected with Mycobaterium tuberculosis
through repeated and prolonged contact with active or suspect
tuberculosis patients that occupied rooms not provided with adequate
negative pressure.  Including, but not limited to:
Rooms 626, 629, 630, 631,
6th. floor; Rooms 526, 529, 530, 531, 5th. floor.
b)  Nurses who were exposed to the hazard of being infected with
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis through contact with active TB patients,
were not provided PPD skin tests ever six (6) months as recommended
by the centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Including, but not
limited to:
6th. Floor North, 5th. Floor North, Operating Room (3rd. Floor),
and the Emergency Room (First Floor).
Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable abatement methods
to correct this hazard as recommended by the CDC guidelines are:
1.   Rooms occupied by TB or suspected TB patients must be under
negative pressure exhausted to the outside and away from
intake vents.
2.   Perform Mantoux tuberculin skin tests on PPD negative health
care workers to identify persons whose skin tests convert to
positive.  The frequency of the tests must be in accordance
with current CDC guidelines.
3.   Provide training to employees on the hazard and control of
tuberculosis.  The training must include the epidemiology,
transmission and pathogenesis of tuberculosis.
4.   Screen patients suspected of having TB so that actibe TB patients
may be quickly placed in AFB isolation.  Provide a rapid
diagnostic service.
Reference:  CDC MMWR Dec. 7, 1990/Vol. 39
Guidelines for preventing the Transmission of Tuberculosis
in Health Care Settings with Special Focus on HIV related
issues.
Violation observed on or about 1/28/93 and 2/11/93

Issued

Jun 11, 1993

Abate by

Jun 29, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,975 · Current $1,785 Reduced

Issued

Jun 11, 1993

Abate by

Jun 29, 1993

Penalty

Initial $850 · Current $850

Issued

Jun 11, 1993

Abate by

Jun 29, 1993

Issued

Jun 11, 1993

Abate by

Jun 19, 1993

Penalty

Initial $850

Issued

Jun 11, 1993

Abate by

Jun 29, 1993

Penalty

Initial $850