California hospital fined after workers stabbed by waste needles
Hospital Safety Insider, December 10, 2015
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Hospital Safety Insider!
Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Vallejo, California was recently cited and fined almost $150,000 by California's OSHA for safety violations after inadequate safety practices resulted in workers being stabbed by needles on multiple occasions, according to a December 8 report from Healthcare Finance News.
The report said at least three custodial employees over the past three years have been stuck by needles while emptying the hospital's collection box for biomedical waste, and that the box was prone to overflowing and preventing the lid from closing properly. Two of those incidents occurred this year, prompting a call to OSHA in June.
Kaiser was cited for five workplace safety violations of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard, and at least two violations were classified as "willful serious," meaning evidence showed the hospital was aware of an issue but essentially did nothing to fix it, the report said.
Investigators found that the box was typically cleaned using a broom and dustpan. When those tools proved inadequate, employees had to reach into the box to remove spilled waste, even though needles were often deposited without a protective cap, the report said. The hospital reportedly replaced the kiosk with two larger disposal units after the inspection and the units are now monitored every 30 minutes.
Read more here.
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Hospital Safety Insider!
Related Products
Most Popular
- Articles
-
- CMS seeks comment on quality measures
- Practice the six rights of medication administration
- Don't forget the three checks in medication administration
- Note similarities and differences between HCPCS, CPT® codes
- CMS creates web portal for questions about 1135 waivers, PHE
- Nursing responsibilities for managing pain
- Q&A: Primary, principal, and secondary diagnoses
- ICD-10-CM coma, stroke codes require more specific documentation
- OB services: Coding inside and outside of the package
- TJC seeks input on new requirements for workplace violence prevention, resuscitative services
- E-mailed
-
- Coronavirus vaccination: 4 best practices for communicating with patients
- Sneak peek: Evidence-based practices can help improve, enhance case management skills
- Q&A: Pressure ulcer POA code confusion resolved
- Neurological checks for head injuries
- Keyes Q&A: Generator lighting, fire dampers, eyewash stations, ISLM fire drills
- Including 46600 in E/M leveling systems
- How to get reimbursed for restorative nursing
- Fetal non-stress tests represent important part of maternal and fetal health
- Coding, billing, and documentation tips for teaching physicians, interns, residents, and students
- Coding Clinic reiterates guidelines for provider documentation
- Searched