Surgical Center Faces Bloodborne Pathogen Citation
OSHA assessed 10 serious violations for alleged violations at CTO Management LLC, dba Health East Ambulatory Surgical Center in Englewood, N.J.
OSHA has cited CTO Management LLC, doing business as Health East Ambulatory Surgical Center, with 10 serious violations for alleged bloodborne pathogen hazards found at its Englewood, N.J., facility. According to the agency's news release, its August 2012 investigation was initiated after a complaint and resulted in $68,000 in proposed penalties.
The serious violations include failing to counsel an employee who was stuck with a contaminated needle, test the employee's blood in a timely manner, and provide appropriate medicine to the employee to prevent contracting a potential disease. "If an employee is stuck with a needle, they must be afforded appropriate follow-up medical care to minimize any potential effect," said Lisa Levy, director of OSHA's area office in Hasbrouck Heights. "All medical facilities have a duty to provide a safe and healthful workplace for their employees."
Information on bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html.