Competency 1: Regulatory Agencies Dede Carr, BS, LDA Karen Neu, MSN, CNE, CNP 1

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1. List regulatory agencies and the requirements they set for safety standards for healthcare facilities, their employees, and clients. a. Identify selected safety terminology relevant to healthcare. b. Identify the CDC and list its safety requirement(s) as they pertain to the healthcare environment. c. Identify OSHA and State Health Departments (like MDH), and list safety regulations as they pertain to the healthcare environment. d. Identify The Joint Commissions and describe its role in regulating safety with the healthcare environment. e. Identify the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and list its requirements. 3

Read and study the vocabulary list for “Healthcare Safety and Standard Precautions” 4

 Two very important regulatory agencies have led the way in the battle against pathogens. They are responsible for developing the guidelines to safeguard health care workers, their patients, and the public.  An essential part of healthcare training is understanding the purpose of these agencies and learning the guidelines that pertain to specific occupations.  The two agencies are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (Juliar, p. 144) 5

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a government agency that is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.  By studying the causes and distribution of diseases (epidemiology), the CDC is able to formulate safety guidelines to help prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases.  Other major tasks include the licensing of clinical laboratories, maintenance of laboratory reference centers for microorganisms, and operation of extensive disease research programs. (Juliar, p. 144) 6

The Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) of the CDC presented new guidelines for isolation precautions in hospitals in These guidelines designate two tiers of precautions: 1. Standard Precautions 2. Transmission-Based Precautions (Berman et al., p. 688) The two tiers of precautions will be discussed in Competency #3 “Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions.” 7

 Identify the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and list its safety requirements as they pertain to the healthcare environment.  Access at the website to learn more: Centers for Disease Prevention & Control 8

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established in 1970 and is a governmental agency that is under the Department of Labor. Its two functions are to:  Establish minimum health and safety standards for the workplace and to  Enforce those standards.  OSHA is the “watchdog” of employee safety and has the authority to conduct onsite inspections to verify compliance with its standards.  It is the agency that requires employers to have an exposure control plan and provide hepatitis B vaccines to employees with occupational risk (Bloodborne Pathogens Standards). (Juliar, p. 144) 9

Identify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and list its safety requirements as they pertain to the healthcare environment. Access the website to learn more: Occupational Safety & Health Administration 10

Workplace Safety  Federal and state laws require that most employers furnish a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.  In most instances, an employee may anonymously complain about an unsafe work environment and be protected against employer reprisals. (Lexis Nexis, Reed Elsevier Inc.) 11

 Example: Under the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 (the Act), Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) is authorized to conduct workplace inspections to determine whether employers are complying with standards and providing a safe and healthful workplace.  Workplace inspections in Minnesota are performed by occupational safety and health investigators (OSHIs) who are knowledgeable and experienced in the occupational safety and health field. (Lexis Nexis, Reed Elsevier Inc.) 12

 The Joint Commission is a private, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to encourage the attainment of high standards of institutional medical care.  Because maintaining quality of care, trying to control healthcare costs, and providing adequate services to the community are a priority, many healthcare institutions seek voluntary accreditation from The Joint Commission.  The Joint Commission establishes guidelines for the operation of hospitals and other facilities and conducts inspections to ensure that standards are being met.  Healthcare workers employed at The Joint Commission accredited facilities should become familiar with the standards that regulate the duties and areas for which they are responsible. (Juliar, p. 59) 13

Identify The Joint Commission and list its safety requirements as they pertain to the healthcare environment. Access the website: 14

Identify your states Department of Health and list its safety requirements as they pertain to the healthcare environment. Example: Minnesota Department of Health 15

Example: The Employee Right-To-Know Act was passed by the Minnesota Legislature during the 1983 session and is enforced as part of the Occupational Safety and Health program in the Department of Labor and Industry. 16

Berman, A., Snyder, S.J., Kozier, B., & Erb, G. (2008).Asepsis. In A. Berman, S.J. Snyder, B. Kozier, & G. Erb (Eds.). Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of nursing: Concepts, process, and practice (8 th ed.) (pp ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Juliar, K. (2003). Minnesota health care core curriculum, 2e. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Publishing, Thompson Custom Publishing Lexis Nexis, Reed Elsevier Inc. (2011) Employment Law in Minnesota. Retrieved from Minnesota.html Minnesota.html 17