TB or Not TB? That's the Congestion!
What began as an international infection scare coughed up big laughs on late night TV and YouTube: A man thought to have XDR-TB (extensively drug resistant tuberculosis) flew around the world infecting fellow travelers - just to find out later that it was "only" a more treatable multi-drug resistant TB.
The media frenzy might've been worth a chuckle, but preventing TB and other infectious respiratory disease (especially flu and even pandemic flu) is no laughing matter at medical facilities. CDC requires posting "Cover Your Cough" signs in waiting rooms, and having masks, hand sanitizers and tissues handy for patients. Get in compliance with Quality America's Infection Protection Station -- an attractive countertop dispenser with everything you need, all in one place.
Posted by Quality America on July 13, 2007 | Comments (2)
Comments
I thought this was just a recommendation...has that changed?
Posted by: Jane Snider at July 17, 2007 03:43 PM
Although OSHA doesn't have a standard that requires proper cough etiquette, they could cite a medical practice under their General Duty Clause for not following the US Public Health Service's (CDC's) recommendations.
The General Duty Clause states:
"Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees..."
Because the General Duty Clause is just that, general, OSHA inspectors can apply it to a variety of workplace conditions that aren't specifically mentioned in the federal register.
Quality America's take is that if an agency like NIOSH or the CDC has stated a particular hazard exists in the medical or dental workplace you would be hard pressed to prove to an OSHA inspector that the hazard wasn't recognized.
Therefore we take the conservative approach and consider it "required" to follow published recommendations.
Posted by: Sarah Alholm at July 30, 2007 01:00 PM
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