Health Care


Penn State Medical Center Adds Worker Safety Measures

The new safety measures are intended to help hospital workers distinguish between patients and visitors experiencing health-related stresses and those who are purposely aggressive.

Solutions for Improving Arc Flash Safety in Health Care

The dangers of arc flash events in health care are amplified by the possibility for downtime resulting from arc flashes. Downtime in the health care environment is simply not acceptable.

Cal/OSHA to Require Electronic Form 300As from Many Employers

The agency submitted the regulation to the state Office of Administrative Law on Oct 25; interested parties have until Oct. 30 to submit comments on it, and OAL has until Nov. 5 to review and adopt or deny the regulation.

Study Supports Pharmacies' Dispensing of Vaccine During Flu Epidemics

During a more severe epidemic, adding pharmacies averted up to 23.7 million symptomatic cases, prevented up to 210,228 deaths, and saved $2.8 billion in direct medical costs, $97.1 billion in productivity losses, and $99.8 billion in overall costs.

Task Force Members Selected to Advise on NY's HCV Elimination Plan

The work of the task force will be supplemented by five work groups: Prevention; Testing and Linkage to Care; Care and Treatment; Surveillance, Data and Metrics; and Social Determinants.

FDA Steps Up Actions on e-Cigarettes

FDA remains committed to the potential benefits e-cigarettes offer in helping adult smokers transition away from combustible cigarettes, "but we cannot allow that opportunity to come at the expense of addicting a whole new generation of kids to nicotine," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb.

Nonprofits Receive $620,000 in MIOSHA Grants

The MIOSHA CET Grant Program funds additional options for health and safety education and training for employers and employees, focusing particularly on hazard recognition and prevention for high hazard industries.

State Agency Funds New EARN Maryland Partnerships

The 15 partnerships receiving funding consist of more than 80 employer partners and will train nearly 600 Marylanders in in-demand careers, including cybersecurity, health care, and the construction trades.



HHS Selects Pilot Projects to Show Better Path to Disaster Medical Care

Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Neb., and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston received $3 million grants from ASPR's Hospital Preparedness Program to conduct pilot projects that show the potential effectiveness and viability of a Regional Disaster Health Response System.

DOL Proposes Change in HO 7 on Patient Lifts

The NPRM points out that some members of Congress have sought this change for several years, contending that the current HO 7 discourages health care employers in their states from employing 16- and 17-year-olds, which deprives the teens of training opportunities and causes staff shortages in health facilities, particularly those located in rural areas.

FDA Releases New Guidance on Drug Compounding

Anna Abram, deputy commissioner for Policy, Planning, Legislation and Analyis, said FDA frequently finds insanitary conditions during its inspections of compounding facilities, "such as vermin, insects, and microbial growth in areas where drugs required to be sterile are produced."

UN Prioritizes Tuberculosis Prevention for High-Risk Occupations

"The UN General Assembly is taking an important step in highlighting the need for governments and global health funders to invest in primary prevention to reduce silica dust hazards in high-risk workplaces. This UN action recognizes that we can take action to prevent TB, and not just treat it," said Perry Gottesfeld, executive director of OK International.

John Hancock Adding Wellness Component to All Life Insurance Policies

"We have smart phones, smart cars, and smart homes. It's time for smart life insurance that meets the changing needs of consumers. We believe offering Vitality on all life insurance policies, at no additional cost, is the right thing to do for our customers, our business, and society," said Brooks Tingle, president and CEO of John Hancock Insurance.

'Boston Med' Filming Results in HIPAA Settlements

Three health care organizations are paying $999,000 in this case, which is the second HIPAA case involving an ABC medical documentary television series. OCR reached a settlement in April 2016 with New York-Presbyterian Hospital in association with the filming of "NY Med."

HHS Agencies Award $1 Billion in Opioid Grants

"Addressing the opioid crisis with all the resources possible and the best science we have is a top priority for President Trump and for everyone at HHS," said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. "The more than $1 billion in additional funding that we provided this week will build on progress we have seen in tackling this epidemic through empowering communities and families on the front lines."

Two States Investigating Outbreak of Psittacosis at Poultry Plants

According to CDC, the latest data suggest the outbreak is only affecting people who work at the identified poultry slaughter plants, but public health officials are investigating whether other people exposed to chickens that were shipped to the affected plants got sick.

Wisconsin Reports 16 More Cases of Severe Bleeding from Synthetic Cannabinoids

The cases have ranged in age from 16 to older than 50, and there has been one death in Wisconsin associated with the outbreak. "Synthetic cannabinoids are not safe, and we urge people not to use them," said Karen McKeown, State Health Officer. "This outbreak shows how hazardous they can be to your health."

WTC Health Program Seeks Nominations for Advisory Committee

Appointments to the STAC may last up to 3 years. The STAC makes recommendations to the WTC Program Administrator on eligibility criteria and other health conditions based on scientific and medical evidence.

Global Preparedness Monitoring Board Holds First Meeting

"There's no substitute for preparedness, and investing in it should be a top priority for the entire global community," said Dr. Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank Group. "It is important that countries are beginning to take pandemic preparedness much more seriously."

Trial of Anti-Malarial Drug Enrolling Subjects

"The increasing problem of drug resistance demands that we continue to find new and effective treatment options for malaria infection," said NIAID Director Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.

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