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Making A Difference… THE newsletter for occupational health professionals who are making a difference in the workplace lives of our nation’s healthcare employees.

J anuary 2015

Message from Executive President

Greetings, AOHP! For most of us, business is booming and many are struggling to keep their heads above water. Remember that your AOHP professional association is here to help you navigate the stormy waters of occupational health. There are number of resources available to you on the AOHP website at www.aohp.org. Also, the AOHP listserv is a useful tool in helping with your most challenging issues by polling your AOHP colleagues. If you are not already signed up, do so at discuss@LISTS.AOHP.ORG. Should there be anything that AOHP can do to assist you, please don’t hesitate to contact me at dtyler@coverys.com or AOHP Headquarters at info@aohp.org. And the WINNER is…..! Members who renewed their AOHP Membership by December 31, 2014 were eligible to be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a free 2015 AOHP National Conference registration. The winner is (drum roll please): Paula Labonte, MSN, RN-BC, CNML of Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA! Congratulation, Paula! Next year, earn a chance to win a conference registration by renewing your membership before December 31, 2015. Conflict of Interest Policy Statement AOHP has had a Conflict of Interest Policy for the AOHP Executive Board Members for years. The AOHP Board became aware that this policy needs to be extended beyond the Executive Board to committee members and local chapter officers to ensure transparency. Conflicts of interest do not necessarily exempt participation as a board member, committee member or chapter officer, but must be reviewed

AOHP Headquarters, 125 Warrendale Bayne Road, Ste. 375, Warrendale, PA 15086 Tel: 800-362-4347 Fax: 724-935-1560

Email: info@aohp.org www.aohp.org

Dee Tyler, RN, COHN-S, FAAOHN

Executive President

Special points of interest:

Photo Campaign

Call for Volunteers

AOHP Listserv Benefit ROC

AOHP 2015 Conference

Exposure to Bloodborne Viruse in HWs

New Recordable Medical Treatment Call for Posters

Beyond Getting Started

Telephone Evaluation of Patients with Possible Influenza

Table of Content

Message from Executive President………….......1-6 OHN Review Course…………………………………………….6

AOHP Membership Renewal………………………...…….6 We Need Your Photo…………………………………………..7

CE Committee –Call for Volunteers……………..…….7 Beyond Getting Started Strategic Initiative……….7

The Benefit of Listserv……………………………………..…8 Grant Funding Offer……………………………………….…..8

Recruit Our Colleagues…………………………………..….9 2015 National Conference………………………………..10

Bloodborne Virus in Healthcare Workers……11-12 Travel Health Notice……………………………………….…12

Free National Conference Registration…………….13

OSHA Graduate Nurse Internship Program……..13

Chapter Corner…………………………………………….14-15

Congratulations Are in Order…………………..……….15 New Recordable Medical Treatment…………..16-17

Call for Posters……………………………………………..….17 Telephone Evaluation of Patient with Possible

Influenza…………………………………………………………..17

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Each officer, regional director, and committee or task force member (“volunteer leader”) at the national and/or local chapter levels should avoid both actual and apparent conflicts of interest that would interfere with their ability to discharge their responsibilities to AOHP. AOHP encourages its volunteer leaders to follow ethical standards, to be in compliance with all laws, and to avoid any conflict of interest or appearance of such, including having their titles or affiliation used to publicize personal or company activities, programs or events (especially those conducted for private profit.) This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflicts of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations. All volunteer leaders will be bound by this Conflict of Interest Policy. Any individual who may have a conflict of interest shall be required to complete the CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM in connection with the selection process. VIEW CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY DOWNLOAD CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM

AOHP Headquarters Changes On January 1, 2015, AOHP Executive Director Judy Lyle retired, and Annie Wiest has assumed the responsibilities of Executive Director. Judy and Annie were co-owners of KAMO Management Services, AOHP's management company. Jeff Longmore has been hired to serve as the new AOHP Account Coordinator at Headquarters.

Annie Wiest Bio: Annie Wiest has been providing administrative services since 1989 and has held leadership positions in the finance, relocation, personal development and customer services industries in Asia, Canada and the United States. Her association management experience began in 2001 when she combined association administration and meeting planning responsibilities. Her design ability and advanced computer skills provide clients with the best in creativity service. Ms. Wiest works directly with association officers and volunteers to consistently provide value to the association's membership. She has a broad range of experience in the meeting industry and has supported various sizes of client meetings that range from board meetings to conferences with an attendance of 50 to 750 over several days. She has worked with AOHP since 2001. Annie Wiest, Executive Director, 724-935-1531 a.wiest@kamo-ms.com Jeff Longmore Bio: Jeff graduated from Robert Morris University in Coraopolis, PA with a Bachelors in Management. He started off as an accounting major but soon moved to management as he found the field more interesting and conducive to his thinking. His primary field of work has been in Human Resources, but in many different industries. Hospitality, Excess and Surplus Insurance and Personal Injury Law. Along the way he has “dabbled” in other interests such as starting his own tree business with a business partner called A Tree Service. He sits on the board of Women’s Choice Network that offers counseling and support to women and their partners with unplanned pregnancy.

Last but not least, Jeff is married to his wife of 16 years, Michelle, and they have 3 children, Paige (11), Colin (9) and Luke (7). Jeff’s wife, Michelle is a Dietician and has worked in a rehab hospital for over 15 years. He has been a member of SHRM for over 15 years. Jeff Longmore, Account Coordinator, 724-935-6612 info@kamo-ms.com

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Tools to Help You Spread the Word About AOHP Whether it is management within your organization or you are trying to recruit a colleague, AOHP has tools to help you to clearly and concisely tell others about AOHP. We term this our “elevator speech.” AOHP printable business card templates and post card templates are available for your use at our website. AOHP Elevator Speech – Business Cards Front AOHP Elevator Speech – Business Cards Back AOHP Elevator Post Card Renew Your AOHP Membership If you haven’t already renewed your AOHP membership, it’s not too late to renew today! Don’t let the wonderful value of AOHP lapse for even a moment. For more information, contact AOHP Headquarters at info@aohp.org. COMING SOON…..EXPO-S.T.O.P. Survey 2013 and 2014! AOHP plans to conduct its signature EXPO-S.T.O.P. Survey by the end of February 2015 for the calendar years of 2013 and 2014. Survey questions will be similar to those you have seen in the past. Below is a preview of the survey questions so that you can begin preparing to take the survey.

What is your healthcare setting?

Number of sharps injuries from your 2013 and 2014 calendar years OSHA Form 300.

Number of mucocutaneous blood or other potentially infectious material exposures (including bites) in 2013 and 2014 calendar years.

Number of sharps injuries in surgical procedures (i.e. OR + procedure rooms + Labor and Delivery) in 2013 and 2014 calendar years.

Number of sharps injuries reported by nurses in 2013 and 2014 (e.g. RN, LPN/LVN.)

Number of sharps injuries reported by doctors in 2013 and 2014.

Are your NON-EMPLOYEE medical staff included in the OSHA Form 300 exposure data?

(Hospital only) What is your hospital size (number of staffed beds in the hospital from which exposure data was derived)?

(Hospital only) How many hospitals were included in your exposure data? Note: Separate data for each hospital is preferred.

(Hospital only) Average daily inpatient census (i.e. average daily occupied beds) for calendar years 2013 and 2014.

Number of full-time equivalents (FTE) as reported on your 2013 and 2014 calendar years OSHA Form 300A.

Number of NURSING full-time Equivalents (FTE) in 2013 and 2014 (i.e. RN, LPN/LVN.)

(Hospital only) Adjusted Patient Days for 2013 and 2014 (Available from your Finance Department.) Adjusted Patient Days = (Total Revenue / Inpatient Revenue) x Total Inpatient Days

(Hospital only) Is your hospital a teaching hospital? (“Teaching” = Affiliated with a medical school and serving as a practical education site for medical students, interns and residents.)

In what state is your facility located? 2015 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week to be Celebrated May 3-8 Make plans to celebrate this week within your facility to promote what you do to support quality patient care by keeping employees healthy and safe. Again this year, AOHP will celebrate by offering members a letter that can be shared with your organization’s management, as well as the AOHP Occupational Health Week poster. Watch for details! You can also visit the North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week web page at http://www.naosh.org/english/ for ideas on how to celebrate, and you can also post your events related to the weeklong celebration on the NAOSH website.

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AOHP Announces Position Statement on Standards for Adult Immunization Practice As the national leader for occupational health in healthcare, the Executive Board of Directors for AOHP recently adopted a new position statement on Standards for Adult Immunization Practice. AOHP encourages its members and their organizations to adopt the Standards for Adult Immunization Practice and implement the following steps to ensure that adult patients are fully immunized: 1. Assess immunization status of all patients in every clinical encounter. 2. Share a strong recommendation for vaccines that patients need. 3. Administer needed vaccines, or refer to a provider who can vaccinate. 4. Document vaccines received by the patients in state vaccine registries. http://aohp.org/aohp/Portals/0/Documents/NewsAndEvents/Press%20Release/PressRelease-AdultImmunizatrionStandardsDec2014.pdf Speakers, Exhibitors and Sponsors Needed for 2015 AOHP National Conference AOHP is seeking speakers, exhibitors and sponsors for the 2015 AOHP National Conference. By featuring quality speakers, the conference draws a strong attendance, and the exhibitors and sponsors help us to keep the AOHP conference affordable. We ask that all AOHP members become engaged in helping to support the National Conference in this way, even if you are unable to attend. Each AOHP

member can make a difference! Contact info@aohp.org for ideas, suggestions and referrals, or volunteer yourself TODAY! ANA Collecting Stories from Nurses Regarding Potential Impact of the Affordable Care Act AOHP, as an American Nurses Association (ANA) Organizational Affiliate, received word from the ANA that the week of January 19, the ANA began collecting stories from nurses regarding how they might be impacted by pending federal legislation which would change the current definition of full-time work under the Affordable Care Act (ACA,) raising it to 40 hours per week from the current definition of 30 hours. A request was made of ANA members, and they have almost 600 people (an unprecedented number in such a short period of time) responding with stories about how this legislation would affect them. These stories are a powerful tool in ANA's advocacy efforts. ANA is asking its Organizational Affiliates to reach out to their members for comment. Below is the background information if you are interested in responding.

Background: The House of Representatives passed the Save American Workers Act of 2015, H.R. 30, and now the Senate is considering the Forty Hours is Full Time Act of 2015, S.30. ANA sent letters to the House and Senate opposing this bill because the legislation could negatively impact those in jobs where full-time work involves less than 40 hours per week. This would include the 1.69 million RNs and APRNs who are employed by general medical and surgical hospitals, other specialty hospitals, and psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals. Typically, RNs who work in a hospital setting work a three-day, 12-hour shift, with a workweek of 36 hours. If enacted, employers subject to the employer mandate would no longer be required to offer health insurance benefits to those working the regularly scheduled 36-hour workweek. The legislation has passed the House and is now in the Senate. We need your help! Would this law affect you? We need your stories so we can demonstrate the negative impact this bill would have on nurses. Follow RN Action on Facebook for updates on this legislation, and feel free to share this link with your members if they would like to participate and share their story!

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Get Involved Today! AOHP Needs Volunteers AOHP has a number of needs for volunteers at both the local chapter and national levels. Make a difference by giving back to YOUR association! Please volunteer by contacting AOHP Headquarters at info@aohp.org or me at dtyler@coverys.com. Government Affairs Chair AOHP needs a Government Affairs Chair. If you have an interest in public policy and legislative activities as they impact healthcare, especially in relationship to occupational health professionals in healthcare, this may be a good fit for you. This position tracks happenings with the government that could affect the organization and occupational health professionals in healthcare. Qualifications include: being an active AOHP member and actively employed; articulate and knowledgeable with regard to the issues that face the discipline and the association; able to problem-solve while developing creative approaches for the accomplishment of the association’s strategic plan; excellent written and verbal communication skills, and critical thinking skills; and a commitment to working within established timelines. Knowledge and experience with the legislative process is preferable. If you are interested in this position, contact Vice President Dana Jennings at JenningsD@craighospital.org or AOHP Headquarters at info@aohp.org. Strategic Initiative Committee Ad Hoc Member An Ad Hoc Member is needed to serve on the AOHP Strategic Initiative Committee. This person will be responsible to facilitate the Strategic Initiative Work Groups, keep the groups on task and promote the identified association strategic initiatives. Strategic planning experience is important to this position. If you think this is a fit for you, contact Vice President Dana Jennings at JenningsD@craighospital.org or AOHP Headquarters at info@aohp.org. Leadership Opportunity as a Work Group Leader We still need Strategic Initiative Work Group Leaders for Goal #3 Member Communication, Engagement and Volunteerism and Goal #4 Industry Authority. The AOHP Board is looking for strong leaders for these groups. No strategic planning experience is needed, just a willingness to get involved at the national level with AOHP. Develop your business skills and career by volunteering for AOHP in this way. Please contact AOHP Headquarters at info@aohp.org or Dee Tyler, Executive President, at dtyler@coverys.com.

Be an AOHP Guest Lecturer at a Nursing School Near You As part of the AOHP Strategic Plan, one of our action items is to connect AOHP members with nursing schools and facilitate AOHP members as guest lecturers to inform and educate nursing students about occupational health as a nursing specialty with differential skill sets. Nursing students can learn from the AOHP guest lecturer about occupational health and how nurses in this specialty contribute to quality patient care by healthy endeavors such as immunization compliance and safe patient handling. Guest lecturing allows us to impact the workforce before new nurses present for their pre-placement exam, informing students about one of their critical roles in quality patient care by attending to healthy behaviors and preventive strategies. The work group assigned to this objective is developing a letter that AOHP will send to local schools in your area. The team is also preparing a “ready-to-go” presentation for AOHP member volunteers to utilize. We need many volunteers to participate in this program. In the beginning, AOHP will focus on geographical areas where AOHP members volunteer. It is time for you to consider giving back to your profession by helping to prepare a new generation of nurses! For more information, please respond to dtyler@coverys.com or to info@aohp.org.

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Don’t Forget To Renew Your AOHP Membership Don’t Let This Newsletter Be Your Last Issue

AOHP Annual Membership Renewal Have you renewed your AOHP 2015 membership? You can check your membership status by going to My Profile on the AOHP Web site. Log in with your user id and password, if your membership expired on 1/1/2015, you will need to renew now. You can renew online or contact Headquarters at info@aohp.org or call 800 362-4347 for a renewal form or your log in information.

Renew Today to Continue to Enjoy The Benefits Of AOHP Membership!

Note: You may have seen this information in prior eBytes and eNewsletter articles, as development continues in this area. Even though you may have volunteered some time ago, we haven’t forgotten about you! Our goal is to develop all of the standard materials first so volunteers can essentially plug-in and go, while ensuring all guest lecturers are delivering a similar message. Warm Regards, Dee Tyler, RN, COHN-S, FAAOHN AOHP Executive President

OHN Review Course

Member: $599.00 Nonmember: $779.00 AOHP's 2015 Conference Committee would like to offer a two and half-day OHN Review Course at the 2015 National Conference. We are taking a survey of our membership to see who would consider attending because the first day of the course falls on Labor Day, September 7. Please participate in this two questions survey to help us in our planning. We value your feedback. Please click here to start the survey.

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We Need Your Photo AOHP is planning for the celebration of Occupational Health Professionals in April 2015. Once again, we would like to celebrate by including pictures of AOHP members performing tasks that they do on a daily basis. AOHP is asking members to submit quality photos (Photos should be in high resolution

jpg or tif files with a minimum 300 dpi) to AOHP Headquarters by Feb 27, 2014. For each individual picture submitted, the member who submitted will be entered into a drawing. Four winners will each be awarded $25.00. A committee will select the pictures that will be featured on the Occupational Health calendar that will be distributed to all members. Please submit your photos to info@aohp.org, and be sure to include any caption you feel describes the picture.

Continuing Education Committee - Call for Volunteers The Continuing Education Committee is a small but energetic group that works behind the scenes so Chapters and the AOHP National Conference can be awarded nursing contact hours for providing quality educational content to members. We are in need of a few more members to assist our committee. The time commitment can be more in-depth in the summer while preparing for our Conference, but is typically minimal the rest of the year, depending on the number of requests submitted. We have great resources to help new participants learn the process. Mary Cox and I are also always available to assist you, and Annie at Headquarters is tremendously supportive in making the process as easy as possible. Minimal requirements: RN-bachelor’s degree preferred but not mandatory. Previous continuing education experience is helpful, but we do offer on-the-job training. Please contact Mary Cox at mary.m.cox@kp.org or Denise Knoblauch at denise.knoblauch@erieinsurance.com with any questions.

Beyond Getting Started Strategic Initiative The Illinois Chapter will serve as a beta testing site for Beyond Getting Started: Business Skills Development. Denise Knoblauch will present the inaugural program on February 18 from 9:30 am - 11:30 am CST. Teleconferencing is available by contacting Clint Parram, IL Chapter President, at cparram@ihastaff.org . FMLA/ADA is the next Beyond Getting Started topic under development and is nearing review by the committee. Denise Knoblauch, BSN, RN, COHN-S/CM Co-Chair, AOHP CE Committee

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How Cool is This Benefit! The AOHP Listserv

Becoming a member of AOHP is one of the best benefits for your career and professional development. Each of you can probably attest to something you have gained from this fine organization. Our website, one of many helpful AOHP resources, contains a wealth of information and tools at your fingertips. If you haven’t taken a little time to peruse the entire site, do so when you have a moment – it won’t let you down! Another great resource for information is our listserv. Where else can you go for real time, live answers to your questions? Whether it’s information you need right away or you’re gathering data for a project, the AOHP listserv is available to you. Many of our members who participate on the listserv are certified, master's prepared, and experienced occupational health professionals, physicians, infection control practitioners, and other healthcare professionals. Responses are usually evidence-based and factual. The stories of work experiences add an element of practicality, realism and humor at times. The nationwide snapshot of what is occurring in our world keeps us close to the pulse of our industry. So, for those of you who are members but have not joined the AOHP listserv, come aboard! We would love for you to join us. You won't be disappointed. This is such a cool member benefit! Email Annie Wiest at info@aohp.org if you would like to join. Lydia F. Crutchfield, BSN, RN

Announcement

Grant Funding Now Available The NIOSH Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC) is offering

grant funding to support projects in occupational and environmental safety and health. This grant program supports scientific research projects and research-to-

practice (R2P) projects.

To apply for the Pilot Projects Program, download the application here. Projects will be funded up to a maximum of $15,000 for 1 or 2 years. Applications are due

February 28, 2015. Funding will be provided from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. For more information, please visit the MAP ERC website.

Please contact Brenda Thompson with any questions regarding the Pilot Projects Grant Program.

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A New Year and A New Opportunity to

ROC Someone’s World!!!

The “Recruit Our Collegues” (ROC) campaign has been successful for many years. The AOHP Board of Directors has approved continuing this valued incentive to help grow our organization. Suggested ideas for recruitment:

Contact your Chapter President for a list of “non” renewing members. Give them a call and encourage them to re-join.

Contact hospitals in your geographic area that do not have an AOHP member.

If you have a separate occupational health provider, talk with him or her about becoming a member of AOHP. MDs, NPs and PAs would benefit from many of our educational offerings; they could also potentially be National Conference speakers.

Grand Prize: "Whole Shebang" for the member who recruits 10 or more new members. This prize includes National Conference registration and four nights hotel. In the event that no member recruits 10 or more members, the member who recruits at least four new members will receive a National Conference registration at the conclusion of the annual campaign. Second Place: Annual membership fee for the year after the conclusion of the annual campaign. Chapter Award: The Chapter that recruits the most new members will receive a check for $250 to be used at their discretion.

Reach out and share the benefits of AOHP membership with your area colleagues.

Membership brochures are available through Headquarters, or encourage potential new members to visit the website: http://aohp.org/aohp/

Remember to have the new member that you recruit list your name as their recruiter!

Mary Bliss, RN, COHN AOHP Executive Secretary

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The 2015 AOHP National Conference is quickly approaching! Plan to attend and invite a colleague to join, too! Comprehensive employee, occupational and industrial health topics will be a core focus during this immersive learning experience!

Mark your calendar for September 9-13 in San Francisco, CA! Start planning now to attend the AOHP 2015 National Conference in San Francisco. It is never too early to make plans and to ensure that your time and expenses are budgeted to attend. If you need help to justify your conference attendance with your supervisor, you can find help in the guideline “Articulating AOHP Conference Attendance Value”. Articulating AOHP Conference Attendance Value Guideline Articulating AOHP Conference Attendance Value Quick Overview The downtown Hyatt Hotel is a spectacular venue and conveniently located near all the major areas of interest. Voted “Best U.S. City” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, San Francisco is known for its scenic beauty, cultural attractions, diverse communities and world-class cuisine. Measuring 49 square miles, this walk-able city includes landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Alcatraz and the largest Chinatown in the United States. A stroll of the city's streets can lead from Union Square and North Beach to Fisherman's Wharf, Japantown and the Mission District, with intriguing neighborhoods to explore at every turn. If you are a sports enthusiast (or have one thinking about joining you,) come see AT&T Park, home of the World Champion San Francisco Giants. Tour the brand new Levi Stadium, home of the 49ers, or catch a San Jose Earthquake soccer game. The views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay are often laced with fog, creating a romantic mood in this most European of American cities. The city has a colorful past, growing from a small village to a major city nearly overnight as a result of the 1849 Gold Rush. The writers of the “beat” generation, the hippies of the Summer of Love in the late 1960s and a diverse population have all contributed to making San Francisco the fascinating place it is today. The city is home to world-class theatre, opera, symphony and ballet companies and often boasts premieres of Broadway-bound plays and culture-changing performing arts. San Francisco is also one of America’s greatest dining cities. The diverse cultural influences, proximity of the freshest ingredients and competitive creativity of the chefs result in unforgettable dining experiences. Visit, and leave your heart in San Francisco. If you’re still not convinced, remember our Ghirardelli Chocolate! See you there!

Curtis Chow, FNP, PA-C, COHN-S, CEES, CSPHP Chair, AOHP 2015 National Conference

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Surveillance of Significant Occupational Exposures to Bloodborne Viruses in Healthcare Workers

The link below provides an excellent model for how one can analyze, understand and present BBP exposure information. The disparity between published and observed seroconversion risks is notable, and it supports the impression that Hepatitis C should receive special attention. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/385300/EoN_2014_-_FINAL_CT_3_sig_occ.pdf.

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Information provided by Andrew Vaughn, MD, MPH

Travel Health Notice

Travel notices are designed to inform travelers and clinicians about current health issues related to specific destinations. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters or other conditions that may affect travelers’ health. Current Notices

This is a great notice…interesting and useful. Information provided by Elaine B. Dawson, RN, COHN

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Want to attend AOHP National Conference for FREE?

AOHP Recruit Our Colleagues (ROC) - Reach out to the Occupational Health Professionals in your area and invite them to join the professional organization dedicated to Occupational Health needs in Healthcare. Share our Mission and Member Benefits to provide them with a glimpse of what membership offers. Grand Prize: "Whole Shebang" for the member who recruits 10 or more new members. This prize includes: national conference registration and 4 nights hotel. In the event that no member recruits 10 or more members, the member who recruits at least 4 new members will receive a National Conference registration at the conclusion of the annual campaign.

Visit http://www.aohp.org/aohp/MEMBERSERVICES/RecruitOurColleagues(ROC).aspx for more information. Apply for Sandra Bobbitt Scholarship - To provide annual continuing education scholarships to subsidize the educational efforts of members, consider applying for this scholarship to be considered for a complimentary attendance to the main conference plus 1 hotel night. For more information https://www.aohpconference.com/aohp/ABOUTAOHP/AwardsScholarships/SandraBobbittScholarship.aspx. Don’t miss this opportunity, mark your calendars today.

OSHA Graduate Nurse Internship Program- Apply by January 31.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS

The application period for the 2015 OSHA Graduate Nurse Internship Program is now open. Applications are due by January 31, 2015.

The Graduate Nurse Internship Program is designed for registered professional nurses pursuing a

graduate degree in either occupational health nursing or public health with an occupational health

focus. The internship blends current OSHA projects and issues with the theoretical bases of the intern's

academic study into a practical occupational safety and health experience at the national level.

Selected interns are assigned to the Office of Occupational Health Nursing (OOHN) in OSHA's National

Office in Washington, D.C., precepted by OOHN staff and assigned projects in support of the agency's

mission and goals. Internship rotations are a full-time consecutive eight-week educational opportunity

and typically take place between May and September for a time period mutually agreeable to the

intern and to OSHA.

Applicants are rated on academic status, professional presentation, qualifications, experience and

demonstrated technical writing skills. The Instructions to the Applicant outlines the application

process. The Program Outline provides other important information for the applicant.

Questions should be directed to Sheila Arbury at (202) 693-2547. All applications must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2015

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Chapter Corner

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Maryland Chapter Deborah Boggs is retiring and stepping down from her position as the Maryland Chapter Treasurer. The Chapter would like to thank Deborah for her support and hard work in this position and throughout the years. We appreciate all you have done!!! With heartfelt wishes, the Chapter hopes you enjoy relaxing days and a very enjoyable retirement! You have given to others for all these years, and now it is time to do for yourself. Wishing you the best always! Hiroko Takahashi has kindly offered to become our new Treasurer. Thank you for stepping up to this position as an officer of our Chapter. We are very grateful that you have volunteered to take on this role! We are in need of a Secretary. Interested members are encouraged to review the job description and join us. It is a very worthwhile opportunity. Reported by Chapter President Joyce Buckley, RN Michigan Chapter Due to unforeseen circumstances, Karen Karwowski will not be able to complete her term as President for the Michigan Chapter. I would like to thank Karen for serving as President for our Chapter. She has been a very active member, previously held the position of Vice President, presented at our National Conference and has been a strong advocate for our profession. Karen, we thank you for all that you have done for our association. We wish you the best of luck.

Reported by Chapter President Betty Kuschel-Rapaski, BSN, RN, COHN-S, CHSP Pacific Northwest Chapter Winter greetings from the Pacific Northwest Chapter. We continue with our monthly educational and business meetings. In August, we held a joint meeting with APIC and AAOHN where we heard Scott Lindquist, the State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases, speak on “Tuberculosis: Intricacies and Idiosyncrasies of IGRAs.” The event was a fundraiser for scholarships for our members to attend the AOHP National Conference. In September, we heard Washington Department of Health speaker Dan Kruger address Six Sigma Methodology, and in October, we brought in a panel of speakers who are all involved in the formation of Washington State’s groundbreaking Hazardous Drug Rule. In November, our members who received scholarships to the National Conference reviewed highlights of memorable presentations they’d heard there. In December, we held our annual holiday meeting, including a discussion of Washington’s Prescription Monitoring Program by Chris Baumgartner of the WA DOH and a Secret Santa gift exchange. In January, we heard our own member, Linda Beasley-Freeman, and Melissa Brown, Director of Legacy Health’s Employee Health Department, discuss their work in reducing employee exposure to anesthetic gases, a topic National Conference attendees viewed in the poster session, “DoG the WAGs: an innovative solution to reduce exposure to waste anesthetic gases.”

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Speaking of the National Conference, our Chapter was honored to be the recipient of the Ann Stinson Outstanding Chapter Award, and to have members Julie Nicholas receive the Extraordinary Member Award, Linda Beasley-Freeman receive the Sandra Bobbitt Scholarship and Past President John Furman be recognized for publication in the AOHP Journal about his work with impaired healthcare workers. The PNW Chapter supported the conference by sponsoring a breakfast, donating to general conference support, donating gift baskets and items that raised $315 in the silent auction, and having five members volunteer time to help with various functions. Our Chapter submitted two poster presentations, Linda Beasley-Freeman's "DoG the WAGs" and one from Tom Renne and WyEast Medical Corporation on the "Effects of Laundering Reusable Slide Sheets." We were also thrilled to have three new members attend the conference. Our chapter continues to increase its support of new members through revising the Elaine Carty Scholarship to enable more new members to qualify sooner for scholarships to attend the National Conference and the Getting Started Workshop. We had a changing of the guard with officer elections in October, which brought in Eric Shirey as President (to replace Nancy E Johnson as she moves up to Regional Director) and Rebecca Schirle as Treasurer. Reported by Chapter President Eric Shirey, BSN, RN Virginia Chapter The AOHP Virginia Chapter would like to recognize Elaine Dawson, RN, COHN, AOHP Executive Treasurer, and INOVA Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg, VA for hosting our Summer 2014 Conference. Thank You! As we head into 2015, we look forward to the next AOHP Virginia Chapter Conference on March 27, 2015 at Riverside Doctors’ Hospital in beautiful Williamsburg, VA. Our host is Donna Duerson, BS, RN. Save the date! Email nancyp.rn@comcast.net for additional information. Reported by Chapter President Nancy Pike, RN

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Congratulations are in order: AOHP would like to recognize the following members for enhancing their education. We applaud you for your efforts!

John Dyer, RN, COHN-S – Southampton Hospital, Southampton, NY – Nassau-Suffolk/New York Chapter passed his COHN-S exam.

Eileen Kantorik, RN, CEAS III – Excela Health, Greensburg, PA – PA Southwest Chapter is now certified in all 3 levels as a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist.

Sabita Singh, BSN, RN-BC, COHN – Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland, TX – Houston Area Chapter received her Bachelor’s in Nursing.

Susan Davis, MS, BSN, RN, CVRN-BC NE-BC, CCRN-K – Methodist Health System, Omaha, NE – Heart of America-Kansas City Chapter continues to add certifications to enhance her knowledge of critical care nursing.

Krisa Gigon, MS, BSN – Good Samaritan Med – Corvallis, OR – Pacific Northwest Chapter achieved her Master’s in Nursing.

Let us know of your achievement so that we can add you to this congratulation list!

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A "New Recordable Medical Treatment" from OSHA By Stephen A. Burt, MFA, BS

From OSHA in a Letter of Interpretation to Ms. Linda Ballas [12/10/14]: "Thank you for your recent letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding the recordkeeping requirements contained in 29 CFR Part 1904 - Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. You ask if kinesiology tape is considered medical treatment for OSHA recordkeeping purposes. We consulted with physicians in OSHA's Office of Occupational Medicine, and they inform us that kinesiology taping is designed to relieve pain through physical and neurological mechanisms. The lifting action of the tape purportedly relieves pressure on pain receptors directly under the skin, allowing for relief from acute injuries. The use of kinesiology tape is akin to physical therapy and is considered medical treatment beyond first aid for OSHA recordkeeping purposes." (See section 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)(M)).

Francis Yebesi, Acting Director, Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis Those of you who are active practitioners have probably already used kinesiology tape, also known as KT Tape or Kinesio Tape: the bright, neon-colored tape strips worn by runners, cyclists, athletes, tri-athletes and folks at the gym. KT Tape, originally known as Kinesio Tape, has been around since the mid-1970s. The product first gained widespread popularity when television viewers saw Olympic athletes, including Kerri Walsh, the professional beach volleyball player, wearing it in Beijing in 2008. Soon afterward, athletes, both amateurs and professionals world-wide, claimed the tape worked miracles on aches and sore muscles, improving circulation, preventing injury and enhancing performance. Another popular use of KT Tape is to apply it along muscles, ligaments and tendons (soft tissue) to provide a lightweight, external support that helps an employee remain active while recovering from injury. Therapeutic kinesiology tape is a type of strapping tape which is thin and stretchy. It is adhesive, which allows it to be applied to the body rather than being wrapped like an Ace® bandage. It mimics the properties of human skin in thickness and elasticity, and its uses include treating musculoskeletal injuries and inflammatory conditions. KT Tape creates neuromuscular feedback (called proprioception) that inhibits (relaxes) or facilitates stronger firing of muscles and tendons. Doctors and researchers say there is no clinically significant evidence to support claims that KT Tape can do any of these things. Recent studies have been inconclusive, and some physical therapy experts suggest the tape may create a placebo effect, doing little beyond boosting an athlete’s confidence. This lack of clinical evidence has not stopped OSHA from declaring the use of KT Tape to be medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes. In other words, if an employee grabs KT Tape from a company first aid kit to treat an ache or pain instead of aspirin or an Ace® bandage, it can create an OSHA-recordable event for the employer. Under 29 CFR Part 1904 – Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, treatment of an injury with first aid does not trigger the recordkeeping requirements. Section 1904.7(b)(5)(ii) defines what is considered “first aid,” which includes the use of “any non-rigid means of support, such as elastic bandages, wraps, non-rigid back belts, etc.” So, although using an ACE® bandage is considered first aid, OSHA has decided that KT Tape is materially different and its use “is akin to physical therapy,” which makes it medical

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treatment beyond first aid and therefore, its use for a work-related injury is recordable on the OSHA 300 log. The December 12, 2014 Letter of Interpretation may present a compliance trap for employers. How many times has an employee used KT Tape and not recorded it? Prior to the agency’s interpretation, it is doubtful that occupational health professionals would have suspected KT Tape use would be considered medical treatment.

CALL FOR POSTERS AOHP 2015 National Conference

September 9 – 12, 2015 Hyatt Regency San Francisco, CA

The AOHP 2015 National Conference provides occupational health professionals the opportunity to share their experiences, ideas, and research with others. In addition to platform presentations, workshops, networking and exhibits, conference participants may view posters prepared by their peers. Posters are an excellent, low stress venue in which to present your research and innovations. A poster is an opportunity to publish a very short article and discuss it with your peers. It may be an overview of a technical topic, problem, question, research, case study or success story. Your poster will be view throughout the conference, so the main ideas should be clear without explanation. Posters will be displayed nearby the registration area and exhibit hall. This will give all

conference attendees the opportunity to read your posters, and/or for your to discuss your posters with your colleagues. Poster authors are responsible for setting up and taking down their poster. All posters are judged and eligible for recognition. Download Submission Form here

Abstracts are due by April 17. We peer review all abstracts for relevance to force health protection and the author’s area of expertise. We will notify you by May 29, 2015 the status of your submission and will include information on our conference brochure. Please complete the “Call for Poster” submission below. For questions regarding the submission, please contact Annie Wiest at AOHP

Headquarters, phone 724-935-1531 email: info@aohp.org.

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CDC Medical Office Telephone Evaluation of Patients with Possible Influenza To improve the appropriate use of antivirals during this influenza season, CDC just released “Medical Office Telephone Evaluation of Patients with Possible Influenza“. This new tool was developed for medical office staff as they conduct telephone triage for patients who call with flu-like symptoms to help them identify when it might be appropriate to initiate antiviral treatment before an office visit. The tool can be accessed at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/office-evaluation.htm.