Internal Policy Applying Law

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You have been tasked by your manager to draft an organizational policy in line with a state or federal policy. You will have the option of choosing one of three health policies and applying it to the health organization of your choice. Remember, you will use the policy of choice for your Signature Assignment in Week 7.
For this assignment, you will choose one of the following laws to implement:
• OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). Detail your organizational policy on how to properly deal with these requirements and keep your employees safe.
• Each state has their own law regarding disease that must be reported at the state level. Locate your state law regarding disease that must be reported and apply that law to your organizational policy.
• Section 7(r) of the Fair Labor Standards Act – Break Time for Nursing Mothers Provision

Sample Solution

Organizational Policy on Bloodborne Pathogens

This policy applies to all employees of [Organization Name] who are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease through contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). These pathogens include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The purpose of this policy is to protect employees from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This will be accomplished by implementing the following procedures:

  • All employees who are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens will be trained on the hazards of bloodborne pathogens and the appropriate safety procedures.
  • All employees who are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens will be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, gowns, and masks.
  • All work areas where there is a potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens will be designated as “sharps areas” and will be clearly marked.
  • All needles and other sharps will be disposed of in puncture-resistant containers.
  • All spills of blood or OPIM will be cleaned up promptly and according to the established procedures.

Employees who are exposed to bloodborne pathogens will be evaluated by a healthcare professional and will be offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if necessary.

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary.

By following these procedures, we can help to protect our employees from exposure to bloodborne pathogens and prevent the spread of disease.

In addition to the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, health organizations should also be aware of their state’s specific laws regarding disease reporting. For example, in California, all healthcare providers are required to report cases of certain communicable diseases to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). These diseases include, but are not limited to:

  • HIV
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Tuberculosis
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Chickenpox
  • Meningitis
  • Lyme disease

Healthcare providers who fail to report a reportable disease can be subject to fines and other penalties.

By following the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and their state’s specific laws regarding disease reporting, health organizations can help to protect their patients and employees from infectious diseases.

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