[MCOH-EH] Annual Fit testing requirements

[Darlene Sims]

Good afternoon,
Infection Prevention and Employee Health works together to decide which departments require fit testing based on patient interaction/care. Currently, all clinical areas and several ancillary/non-clinical  areas in that grouping. We currently fit an average of 280-320 employees monthly throughout our system. This is includes physicians on our payroll system.
Employees are fit tested annually during their birth month. Our policy states employees are required to complete by the last business day of the employee's birth month or they suspended until completed. We have had compliance results with the policy change where out of 300, an average of 2 typically are suspended.
Please do not hesitate to contact for questions.

Thank you,

Darlene Sims MSN,FNP-C
Director Infirmary Employee Health Services
Locations at MIMC, Thomas Hospital ,NBI &ACH
185 Mobile Infirmary Blvd
Mobile, Al 36607
MIMC office (251)435-3377 opt 3 fax (251)435-3067
Thomas Hospital (251)279-1605 fax (251)279-1606
NBI (251)937-5521 ext 1860
ACH (251)368-6314
darlene.sims at infirmaryhealth.org




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Today's Topics:

   1. Re:  Annual Fit testing requirements (Cockrum, MD David S)


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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2018 16:53:18 +0000
From: "Cockrum, MD David S" <dcockrum at frhs.org>
To: MCOH/EH <mcoh-eh at mylist.net>
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Annual Fit testing requirements
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We apply mask-fit testing to all those who might have direct patient interaction with a potentially contagious patient. This could include such "cats and dogs" as registration, nutrition, etc. So we as Employee Health, in coordination with Infection Control, identify which sections or departments need to wear a mask.

We leave it to the department heads to determine which exact employees in their department need to be fit tested. The department chair knows who does the direct patient care, vs who is in a low risk job with little chance of exposure.

As for program employment, departments are spread out throughout the year, with 1 or 2 departments assigned a specific month. That way, each department is re-fitted in the 12th month from last fitting. It could allow a "slippage" of a couple of weeks from the 12-month standard (fitted Day 5 last year and Day 20 this year), but it certainly meets the intent. The department head decides whether to have us come over to a staff meeting or similar event and knock out as many as we can, or let employees come to us on their own. We send regular compliance updates to the department head with cc to the appropriate senior leader (vice president level) if non-compliance becomes an issue.

It's not a perfect program, and we have discussed doing the entire hospital in one month, but this would require 1-2 dedicated individuals to do nothing but masks for that entire month. That is still under consideration.

David


DAVIDCOCKRUM, MD
Physician
Faith Regional Physician Services
Occupational Health
(402) 844 8300
2024 Pasewalk Avenue, Suite 2, Norfolk, NE 68701 Click on the logos to learn more about our services.
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Subject: [MCOH-EH] Annual Fit testing requirements


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Good Morning,

How does your organization identify which departments are required to complete annual fit testing?  Are there clear guidelines from OSHA.  For those hospitals that do have a routine for annual fit testing, do you have a seamless approach to get everyone checked off each year?

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