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To ensure compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), a dentist or any healthcare provider that has employees with the potential for exposure to blood or OPIM must take the following steps: Develop an Exposure Control Plan: This written plan must outline how the dental practice will protect employees from exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including procedures for handling sharps, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other safety measures. The plan must be reviewed and updated at least annually. Implement Universal Precautions: Treat all blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) as if they...

Sterilization and the Packaging and Storing of Wrapped Instruments Sterilization is a method that eradicates, eliminates, or inactivates all types of life, especially microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, spores, and other biological agents like viruses found on a surface or object. Unlike disinfection or sanitization, which only reduce the presence of these life forms and biological agents, sterilization ensures their complete removal.  Items used in patient care are classified based on the risks associated with their use and the ability to transmit infection. Critical items enter soft tissue or bone and carry the highest infection transmission risk; they must always undergo...

 Most of us already know that OSHA plays a major role in setting and enforcing standards that protect employees from all sorts of workplace hazards. In healthcare and dentistry there are several standards that apply and by identifying them hopefully we can help you understand your responsibilities to help maintain a safe workplace. One of the most obvious OSHA regulations for healthcare and dentistry is the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). This standard aims to protect employees from health hazards related to exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Key components of this standard include: Exposure Control...

Dr. Monzer K. Al-Dadah, a dentist based in Peoria, IL, faced scrutiny when he terminated a dental assistant of over 20 years who raised concerns about the risk of coronavirus infection at the workplace. The assistant, upon feeling endangered by a particular work assignment potentially leading to exposure to the virus, refused it. Additionally, the assistant voiced concerns regarding workplace safety protocols with her employer. Investigations by OSHA revealed that Dr. Al-Dadah had acted upon learning about a safety complaint lodged with OSHA in March 2020. He sought to identify the whistleblower and subsequently terminated the dental assistant. This action led...

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has settled potential violations of HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules with Kentucky-based iHealth Solutions (also known as Advantum Health). The settlement centers around a data breach in which the protected health information of 267 individuals was left unsecured on the internet, a clear violation of HIPAA rules that demand stringent protection of health information. OCR Director Melanie Fontes Rainer emphasized the importance of HIPAA business associates protecting the privacy and security of health information they handle, ensuring it's not freely accessible on the internet.In August 2017, the...