OSHA Compliance for Hospice Care: Regulations & Immunization Requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires specific trainings and guidelines for businesses and industries whose employees may be exposed to blood and other body fluids. Hospice workers provide medical care and services to people suffering from a terminal illness, usually within the patient's home.

Immunization Requirements

• OSHA requires up-to-date immunization records on all hospice employees. Additionally, employees receive the Hepatitis B vaccine and annual tuberculosis, or TB, skin tests.

Training Requirements

• Annual training requirements include blood-borne pathogens, universal precautions, CPR and first aid. Blood-borne pathogens training covers disease transmittal through blood and other body fluids where blood may be present and how to prevent that transmittal. Taking universal precautions includes using personal protective equipment.

Policies and Procedures

• Hospice facilities are required to have written infection control plans and waste management plans. Infection control plans outline the chain of events to occur when a person or employee has potentially been infected with a blood-borne pathogen or other disease. Waste management plans delineate how to handle biohazard waste, such as bandages, needles and pharmaceuticals.