CHA recently submitted a letter to Cal/OSHA to provide feedback on its June 12 guidance that focuses on severe respirator shortages and some changes under consideration. The letter expresses hospitals’ concerns with the guidance, which would destabilize rather than enhance employee safety.
CHA is urging Cal/OSHA to adopt an approach that allows hospital teams, including infection preventionists, front-line staff, and materials management experts to work together to protect their colleagues and the patients entrusted to them. Our concerns fall into four categories:
- Clarity of definitions of terms and processes
- Clarity of guidance for alternative options
- Need to address operational/patient safety challenges
- Supply shortages
More details as well as CHA recommendations are detailed in the letter.