OSHA alliance provides new resource
For perioperative workplace safety
By Carina Stanton, MA
Did you know?
OSHA compliance-assistance specialists are also available to provide general information about OSHA standards and compliance-assistance resources in each OSHA Area Offi ce in states under federal jurisdiction. |
Last December AORN and the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) signed an agreement to foster safer, healthier workplaces for AORN members, perioperative healthcare providers and others through guidance and access to training resources. Since signing the agreement AORN and OSHA have been sharing information and working to update resources in order to better inform AORN members about OSHA standards.
"This alliance shows that perioperative nursing is taking a proactive approach to educate our membership about potential hazards and get their awareness level up so members can advocate for their own safety," said Donna Pritchard, RN, BSN, MA, CNOR, CNA, director of perioperative services at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y., and current chair of AORN's Perioperative Environment of Care Committee.
One of the charges of the Perioperative Environment of Care Committee set by AORN President Mary Jo Steiert, RN, BSN, CNOR, is to oversee the AORN/OSHA alliance and work with AORN staff to communicate current information and news on OSHA standards. To share this information and facilitate open lines of contact between AORN members and OSHA, AORN has created an OSHA alliance Web page on the association's new Web site.
A new resource
Through this new alliance, the association's members now have an AORN link to OSHA, including access to OSHA's Hospital eTool, which AORN has been helping to update.
OSHA's updated Hospital eTool will include links to AORN's current policies and recommended practices for laser plume and laser hazards. The eTool makes compliance assistance information easier to access for members, noted Byron Burlingame, RN, MS, CNOR, a nursing specialist in AORN's Center for Nursing Practice who has been working with OSHA to update the hospital eTool's Surgical Suite module. "By sharing our expertise and resources, AORN and OSHA are helping to ensure the most up-to-date perioperative information is available for the association's members and the public."
In helping update the eTool, Burlingame also worked closely with specialists from the Laser Institute of America, another OSHA Alliance Program participant, to ensure AORN's policies refl ect current research. "This alliance is allowing AORN to collaborate with other OSHA Alliance Program participants, which only strengthens our ability to provide evidence-based resources to our members," Burlingame added.
He also is working with OSHA to update the eTools information related to perioperative bloodborne pathogen safety.
"Being part of this alliance is a way for AORN to build bridges with OSHA and work together to promote educational tools that inform our members," said Mary Ogg, RN, MSN, CNOR, nursing specialist in AORN's Center for Nursing Practice and AORN staff liaison for the Perioperative Environment of Care Committee.
"By promoting education and open dialogue between OSHA and AORN, we can help to alleviate the OSHA compliance 'fear factor' and empower our members," she added.
Building Bridges
Beyond sharing resources the AORN/OSHA alliance is creating new opportunities for partnership and communication.
In March OSHA Assistant Secretary Edwin G. Foulke Jr. accepted an invitation from AORN Past President Paula Graling, RN, MSN, CNOR, CNS, to visit her OR at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va., to learn more about the perioperative environment.
During his tour, Mr. Foulke was able to interact with surgeons, staff members and administrators to discuss practices and procedures related to employee safety and the delivery of safe patient care, including environmental cleaning and contaminant waste disposal, management of sharps, management of exposure to blood and body fl uids and ergonomic concerns and operational equipment for surgical staff, Graling said.
"Alliance Program participants work with OSHA to leverage resources and expertise to develop electronic assistance tools, training programs and other information to help employers and employees prevent on-the-job injuries, illnesses and fatalities," said Foulke. "OSHA appreciates the leadership of AORN and the dedication of its employees to fulfi lling their commitment to improving workplace safety and health. Our Alliance demonstrates how employers can work cooperatively with government agencies to protect employees."
As part of the alliance, AORN also participates in OSHA activities. On June 6 AORN exhibited at the Department of Labor's Safety Day to present AORN information on workplace safety issues, such as ergonomics, fi re prevention, sharps injury prevention, safe on-call practices, laser safety and transmissible infection. AORN was represented by Patrick Voight, RN, BSN, MSA, CNOR, a member of AORN's board of directors, and Roelinda Frasketi, RN, CNOR, a member of AORN Northern Virginia chapter.
Sheila Arbury, RN, health scientist, Office of Occupational Health Nursing, Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine, will speak at AORN's Fall Clinical Conference in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 15-16. She will be discussing the importance of using blunt-tip suture needles where clinically appropriate as part of OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard requirement to use safer medical devices.
Ergonomics resource from AORN
Last year AORN partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to develop the AORN Safe Patient Handling and Movement in the Perioperative Setting Guidance Statement. This employeefocused resource provides ergonomic algorithms and tools to protect the nurse when moving or positioning the patient, during extended standing and lifting and moving supplies, explained Carol Petersen, RN, BSN, MAOM, CNOR, manager of Perioperative Nursing Data Set in AORN's Center for Nursing Practice and co-author of the guidance statement. "This guidance statement is an important resource for members because it provides evidence-based research, as well as the tools required for perioperative nurses to assess their working conditions and ensure their occupational safety," Petersen said.
To purchase a copy of the AORN Safe Patient Handling and Movement in the Perioperative Setting Guidance Statement go to AORN's online bookstore.