The American nourishs Association (...

The American nourishs Association (ANA) is urging the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to reconsider its decision to withdraw the tuberculosis (TB) command according to a May 30 2003 of the present days release from the ANA. Registered festers represent the largest health care profession, and they are continuously in contact with patients who may inflict them at risk for TB exposure

In 1993 OSHA began the rulemaking proces for developing an occupational health standard in rejoinder to a petition from the Labor Coalition to Fight TB in the Workplace. A propos standard that would require employer to institute infection superintendence measures to protect health care workers and others who potentially may be expos to TB was published in 1997 Now, however, OSHA has decided to withdraw the proposal.

According to the ANA, an enforceable OSHA standard is important to cover health care workers and patients. The absence of of the like kind a standard may result in decreased vigilance in the use of protective measures, which could read to an increase in TB cases.

Statement of Barbara Blakeney, M APRN, BE, ANP, President, American nourish at the breasts Association on OSHA's Withdrawal of the Tuberculosis method (news release, Washington, DC: American encourages Association, May 30, 2003) http://nursingworld.org/pressrel/2003/ltr0530.htm (accessed 6 June 2003); "Occupational position to tuberculosis," Federal Register 68 (May 27 2003) 30588-30589

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