Emergency Temporary Standards
On June 21, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) to address exposure to COVID-19 to workers in healthcare settings. This healthcare ETS applies to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICFs/IID). Compliance is required within 14 days (July 6) for most items and 30 days (July 21) for a few requirements The ETS addresses many topics. Examples include:
- COVID-19 plan – The development and implementation of a written COVID-19 plan based on an assessment
| - Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions (in accordance with CDC)
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- Patient screening and management
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- Cleaning and disinfection
| - Health screening and medical management
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- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
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- Aerosol-generating procedures on a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
| - Reporting COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations to OSHA
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| - Requirements implemented at no cost to employees
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- Mini Respiratory Protection Program
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A webinar reviewing the ETS and the implications for AHCA/NCAL members is available on ahcancalED.