OSHA fines Boston-area hospital for unsafe conditions

Melrose-Wakefield Hospital fined for mishandling of medical waste


The Melrose-Wakefield Hospital in Melrose, Mass., was fined $28,000 by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration after a complaint about possible violations of blood borne pathogen standards which protects workers from health hazards, according to an article on the Boston CBS website.

The OSHA report that surgical employees were placing open or loosely covered basins containing hazardous medical waste (excess blood, tissue, bone, feces, fat, etc.) and contaminated instruments into utility carts that leaked these contaminated fluids during handling.

“I think the fact that there might be bodily fluids that are spilling out of containers and contaminating floors and possibly contaminating workers is very disturbing,” WBZ’s medical editor, Dr. Mallika Marshall, said in the article.

“The first priority has to be patient and worker safety. That is why we have representatives meeting with hospital management right now pressing them for information on this situation,”  said Jeff Hall, Local 1199 SEIU union.

Read the article.

 

 



August 25, 2014


Topic Area: Maintenance and Operations


Recent Posts

Designing for Distraction: Benefits for Children, Families

Designers who can incorporate distractions into pediatric healthcare facilities can help children and families successfully navigate healthcare journeys.


Staffing and Consolidation Reshape Outpatient Facility Strategies

Labor shortages and health system consolidation are driving new approaches to outpatient facility planning.


Adams Health Network Falls Victim to Phishing Attack

Adams Health Network does not have any evidence that the attacker was seeking patient information.


Ventilation and Filtering for Infection ControlĀ 

Poor IAQ can be deadly in healthcare facilities, so maintaining proper air conditioning and filter systems is key in controlling the spread of infection.


ChristianaCare Opens Aston Campus Neighborhood Hospital

The hospital is expected to care for approximately 15,000 patients each year.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.