Continuation:
Understanding and adhering to Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards is a critical responsibility for long term care providers. To assist in this crucial task, AHCA/NCAL has released “A Roadmap to OSHA Requirements,” a comprehensive resource designed to simplify OSHAregulations for providers.
This roadmap is a practical guide, offering detailed insights into relevant OSHA standards and how they intersect with CDC guidelines and CMS requirements. The roadmap doesn’t just cover existing regulations; it also provides previews of upcoming OSHA changes that could impact long term care. This preview is essential for staying abreast of future regulatory requirements and maintaining a safe environment for your staff.
AHCA/NCAL’s roadmap is an invaluable tool for long term care providers seeking to navigate the complexities of OSHA compliance. It also underscores the long term care communities commitment to maintaining high standards of workplace safety and health.
Explore “A Roadmap to OSHA Requirements” to enhance your organization’s compliance and safety practices. Access this vital resource on the AHCA/NCAL website: A Roadmap to OSHA Requirements.
A common misperception that exists is that COVID-19 is no longer a serious virus, and some may even believe that it’s less serious than influenza. While the rates of serious illness, hospitalizations, and death from COVID-19 are significantly lower than during the height of the pandemic in early 2020 and 2021, recent data indicates that COVID-19 remains more serious than influenza.
#GETVACCINATED RESOURCES
Now more than ever, we need all members to build a resilient defense against the ongoing threat of respiratory viruses, especially COVID-19.
Download and share the latest information to encourage vaccinations in AHCA/NCAL’s #GetVaccinated toolkit at getvaccinated.us/.
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Explore other resources at getvaccinated.us/.
Most long term care (LTC) centers had no need for respirators before the pandemic because any patients with airborne infectious diseases were transferred and cared for in appropriate and capable alternate facilities. Moving forward, however, respirators and the compliance obligations that come with them are now part of the expected infection control and employee safety programs in most LTC centers. Importantly, OSHA has an entire standard devoted to respirators, the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). While the OSHA standard can be complicated and is highly dependent on the type of hazard and respirator used, the following highlights the basic requirements that affect most LTC centers.
Read more at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Respiratory-Protection-in-Long-Term-Care.aspx
Is 2024 the year you’ve decided to become ANCC board certified? If so, take the proven path to preparing for the gerontological board certification exam – AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep!
Find out more at https://www.geronurseprep.com/
From the faculty and staff of the AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep program.
With winter and holiday gatherings right around the corner, it’s important to be well-prepared against respiratory viruses.
For the first time, vaccines are available to help protect against severe illness caused by all three of the major fall and winter respiratory viruses—flu, COVID-19, and RSV. People may choose to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit if they are eligible, making it easier to stay up to date with CDC-recommended vaccines, while others may prefer to get their recommended vaccines at separate visits.
For those people, there is no need to wait a specific amount of time after receiving one vaccine to get the next one. Getting all three vaccines at the same visit can help protect people who are at higher risk of getting seriously sick from flu, COVID-19, or RSV or who may not be able to return to their provider.
Scientific studies during the last three years indicate that it is safe to get both a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit. Additionally, coadministration of flu vaccines and the new RSV vaccines was found to be safe in clinical trials. While there are no clinical trial data on getting all three vaccines at the same time, CDC is continuing to monitor the safety of RSV vaccines, as it does for all vaccines. Getting multiple vaccines at the same visit may increase the risk of some side effects from vaccination. When side effects do occur, they are typically mild to moderate, like arm pain, swelling, headache, and fatigue. These side effects are usually short-lived.
Whether individuals choose to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit or at separate visits, the most important thing is that they get all vaccines recommended to protect themselves against these and other potentially serious illnesses this fall and winter.
Additional Resources Available on #GetVaccinated Website.
National Influenza Vaccination Week, which runs from December 4-8, is the perfect time to get a flu shot. This week highlights the importance of flu vaccines which are crucial in reducing the risk of illness, hospitalization, and even death.
Senior care facilities place a high priority on person-centered care and attending to the body, mind, and spirit of the whole resident. One critical facet of that care is skin health and wound management. The good news is that there are more technologies and treatments, as well as certification and training programs, to help maximize outcomes and quality of life.
Find out more by going to https://www.providermagazine.com/Issues/2023/Winter/Pages/Strengthening-the-Chain-of-Wound-Prevention-and-Care.aspx
