Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1311112
36 CMO / CARE DELIVERY OSHA fines US hospitals, nursing homes for COVID-19 safety violations By Gabrielle Masson T he U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited more than 25 healthcare facilities for COVID-19 safety violations. From the onset of the pandemic to Oct. 7, OSHA has cited 37 estab- lishments for related violations. Notably, healthcare facilities in New Jersey account for at least 14 of these violations. Citations were issued if employers failed to implement a written respi- ratory protection program; provide a medical evaluation, respirator fit test or training on the proper use of personal protective equipment; report an injury, illness or fatality; or comply with OSHA guidelines. Listed in alphabetical order by state, the following facilities received pandemic-related citations and an associated fee. Facilities listed more than once received multiple citations. • Mansfield Center, Conn.-based Natchaug Hospital was fined $13,494 • Atlanta-based Arbor Management Services was fined $13,494 • Indianapolis-based Department of Veterans Affairs was not fined • Indianapolis-based Department of Veterans Affairs was not fined • Indianapolis-based Department of Veterans Affairs was not fined • Ridgewood, N.J.-based Valley Hospital was fined $8,675 • Waldwick, N.J.-based Valley Physician Services was fined $9,639 • Vauxhall, N.J.-based South Mountain Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center was not fined • Care One at Livingston (N.J.) Assisted Living was fined $13,494 • Wayne, N.J.-based Atrium Post-Acute Care of Wayneview was fined $22,555 • North Bergen, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health System was fined $25,061 • North Bergen, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health System was fined $13,494 • Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health was fined $25,061 • Jersey City, N.J.-based Hudson Hospital OpCo was fined $15,422 • Orange, N.J.-based Bell Medical Transport was fined $24,290 • Newark (N.J.) Beth Israel Medical Center was not fined • Jersey City, N.J.-based Hudson Hospital OpCo was fined $21,205 • Wall Township, N.J.-based HMH Residential Care was fined $13,494 • Monmouth Junction, N.J.-based 2 Deer Park Drive Ops was fined $13,494 • Belleville, N.J.-based Clara Maass Medical Center was fined $23,133 • Belleville, N.J.-based Clara Maass Medical Center was fined $23,133 • Amityville, N.Y.-based Massapequa Center was fined $13,494 • Arverne, N.Y.-based Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center was fined $9,639 • New York City.-based Ahava Medical & Rehabilitation Center was fined $8,675 • New York City-based Brooklyn Queens Nursing Home was fined $12,145 • Freeport, N.Y.-based Luis O. Herrera MD PC was not fined • New York City-based Jewish Home Lifecare, Home Assistance Per- sonnel was fined $13,494 • Laredo, Texas-based Crothall Healthcare was fined $2,121 n Kaiser cited over lack of COVID-19 airborne precautions By Mackenzie Bean C alifornia officials cited Kaiser Permante for failing to treat COVID-19 as an airborne disease at a psy- chiatric facility in Santa Clara, reported CALMat- ters, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health issued the citation Oct. 14 and recommended a $11,200 fine. Workplace safety officials say the psychiatric facility failed to provide N95 masks for workers, among other infection-control deficiencies. The citation is the first of numerous citations Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente will likely receive for fail- ing to acknowledge that COVID-19 can be spread via aerosols, a state employee who wished to remain anon- ymous told CALMatters. Kaiser said it respectfully disagrees with the citation and plans to appeal. Paul Thottingal, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Kaiser, said the health system fol- lows the CDC's droplet precautions guidelines and Cal- ifornia's aerosol transmissible diseases standards for all relevant procedures. Employees treating confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients also wear proper person- al protective equipment and work in isolated areas, ac- cording to Dr. Thottingal. "This approach is in line with CDC guidance, recom- mendations by the World Health Organization, and Cal/OSHA, and is consistent with the practices of other healthcare providers in California and around the coun- try," he said in a statement to Becker's. n