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Today July 8, 2021
by Joyce Frieden
Too much, too late: that's what healthcare groups are saying about a new rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) designed to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19.
"This rule is long and complex, and would require changes in hospital policies, procedures, and structures," Stacey Hughes, executive vice president of government relations and public policy at the American Hospital Association, wrote in a letter to the Department of Labor, which includes OSHA. "Hospitals and health systems are just now emerging from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our members have told us that they need more time to implement the many new requirements" contained in a 253-page set of rules known as the emergency temporary standard (ETS).
... The American Medical Association (AMA) also weighed in. "With little to no warning, OSHA is requiring physician practices to undertake new infection control efforts," AMA executive vice president and CEO James Madara, MD, wrote to the labor secretary.
... No Vaccination Requirement
The Association of Professionals in Infection Control (APIC), which represents infection preventionists, has several issues with the standard. "APIC is concerned that the OSHA ETS does not require or even recommend COVID-19 vaccination for employees, which we know to be the most effective way to protect employees and prevent transmission," the group said in a published assessment. "APIC recommends that OSHA's most important employee protection act should be to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for all employees."
by Joyce Frieden
Too much, too late: that's what healthcare groups are saying about a new rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) designed to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19.
"This rule is long and complex, and would require changes in hospital policies, procedures, and structures," Stacey Hughes, executive vice president of government relations and public policy at the American Hospital Association, wrote in a letter to the Department of Labor, which includes OSHA. "Hospitals and health systems are just now emerging from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our members have told us that they need more time to implement the many new requirements" contained in a 253-page set of rules known as the emergency temporary standard (ETS).
... The American Medical Association (AMA) also weighed in. "With little to no warning, OSHA is requiring physician practices to undertake new infection control efforts," AMA executive vice president and CEO James Madara, MD, wrote to the labor secretary.
... No Vaccination Requirement
The Association of Professionals in Infection Control (APIC), which represents infection preventionists, has several issues with the standard. "APIC is concerned that the OSHA ETS does not require or even recommend COVID-19 vaccination for employees, which we know to be the most effective way to protect employees and prevent transmission," the group said in a published assessment. "APIC recommends that OSHA's most important employee protection act should be to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for all employees."