Perform OSHA Nursing & Long-term Care Covid-19 Checks Assessment using eAuditor
OSHA Nursing & Long-term Care COVID-19 Checks refer to inspections and evaluations conducted to ensure that nursing homes and long-term care facilities comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for preventing COVID-19 transmission. These checks focus on infection control measures, staff and resident safety, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, cleaning protocols, ventilation, and emergency preparedness.
The goal of these checks is to protect healthcare workers, residents, and visitors by ensuring compliance with OSHA’s COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and other relevant guidelines. Regular audits help facilities mitigate risks, improve response protocols, and maintain a safe healthcare environment.
Performing an OSHA Nursing and Long-term Care COVID-19 Checks Assessment using eAuditor ensures that nursing homes and long-term care facilities comply with OSHA’s COVID-19 safety standards to protect residents, healthcare workers, and visitors. The assessment helps facilities evaluate infection control measures, PPE usage, sanitation procedures, ventilation, and emergency preparedness to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
By using eAuditor, organizations can conduct structured inspections, track compliance issues, document deficiencies, assign corrective actions, and generate automated reports to enhance workplace safety.
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Preparation Stage
Objective:
Establish the scope of the assessment, ensure alignment with OSHA’s COVID-19 guidelines, and prepare necessary checklists.
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Select an Inspection Template:
- Use or customize an eAuditor checklist aligned with OSHA’s COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and CDC recommendations.
- Ensure the checklist covers infection prevention, PPE usage, facility sanitation, social distancing, and emergency protocols.
- Define the Scope:
- Assess resident rooms, staff workspaces, common areas, and isolation zones to identify key areas for evaluation.
- Include all healthcare personnel, including nurses, caregivers, and support staff, in the evaluation.
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Review OSHA’s COVID-19 Requirements:
- Understand key OSHA guidelines on respiratory protection, worker training, vaccination policies, and exposure reporting.
- Ensure compliance with state and federal health regulations for long-term care facilities.
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On-Site Data Collection (Assessment Execution)
Objective:
Evaluate facility compliance with OSHA’s COVID-19 safety measures and identify areas requiring improvement.
2.1 Infection Prevention & Control Measures
- Hand Hygiene Compliance:
- Verify that handwashing stations with soap and sanitizer are accessible in key areas.
- Ensure staff and residents follow hand hygiene protocols before and after patient interactions.
- Screening & Testing Procedures:
- Verify that staff and residents undergo daily health screenings.
- Ensure COVID-19 testing protocols are in place for symptomatic individuals and new admissions.
- Isolation & Quarantine Measures:
- Confirm the conduction of respiratory protection fit testing for N95 masks and other respirators.
- Ensure that quarantine protocols are aligned with CDC and OSHA guidelines.
2.2 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Compliance
- PPE Availability & Usage:
- Check if masks, gloves, face shields, and gowns are readily available to staff.
- Ensure correct PPE usage according to exposure risk levels.
- PPE Training & Fit Testing:
- Verify that healthcare workers receive proper training on PPE donning, doffing, and disposal.
- Confirm that respiratory protection fit testing is conducted for N95 masks and other respirators.
2.3 Facility Cleaning & Disinfection
- Surface & Equipment Disinfection:
- Ensure that high-touch surfaces, medical equipment, and communal areas are disinfected regularly.
- Verify that EPA-approved disinfectants are used according to OSHA and CDC recommendations.
- Linen & Waste Management:
- Assess whether contaminated linens and waste are handled and disposed of safely.
- Confirm that biohazard waste disposal procedures meet OSHA’s hazardous waste standards.
2.4 Social Distancing & Ventilation
- Workplace & Resident Area Spacing:
- Check if social distancing measures (6 feet apart) are maintained in common areas.
- Ensure that visitor access is regulated to prevent unnecessary exposure.
- Ventilation & Airflow Control:
- Verify that HVAC systems are properly maintained to improve airflow and reduce airborne transmission.
- Ensure that air filtration systems (HEPA filters) are used in high-risk areas.
2.5 Emergency Preparedness & Reporting
- COVID-19 Outbreak Response Plan:
- Confirm that facilities have a documented outbreak response plan for handling infections.
- Ensure that staff know the proper procedures for reporting exposure incidents.
- Employee Health & Sick Leave Policies:
- Verify that employees are encouraged to stay home if they show symptoms.
- Assess whether sick leave policies align with OSHA’s COVID-19 workplace guidelines.
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Inspection Report Generation
Objective:
Compile assessment findings, document safety gaps, and generate compliance reports.
- Automated Report Generation:
- eAuditor compiles audit data into detailed reports highlighting compliance levels and areas needing improvement.
- Export & Share Reports:
- Generate PDF, Excel, or cloud-based reports to share with facility administrators, compliance officers, and health inspectors.
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Follow-up and Corrective Actions
Objective:
Address safety violations, implement corrective actions, and improve COVID-19 prevention strategies.
- Assign Corrective Actions:
- Assign responsible personnel to resolve non-compliance issues related to infection control, PPE shortages, and ventilation improvements.
- Set deadlines and use eAuditor to track action completion.
- Monitor Compliance Progress:
- Schedule regular reassessments to ensure continuous compliance with OSHA COVID-19 guidelines.
- Document training updates, policy revisions, and corrective actions taken.
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Continuous Improvement
Objective:
Enhance facility preparedness, staff awareness, and infection prevention measures.
- Regular OSHA Compliance Audits:
- Conduct periodic OSHA COVID-19 safety audits to ensure protocols remain effective.
- Update policies based on new COVID-19 variants, regulatory changes, and emerging best practices.
- Improve Staff Training & Awareness:
- Reinforce infection control training, PPE protocols, and emergency response drills.
- Educate staff on new OSHA and CDC guidance related to COVID-19 prevention.
- Strengthen Communication with Residents & Families:
- Ensure that residents and their families receive clear guidance on COVID-19 protocols and safety measures.
- Maintain open communication channels for reporting concerns and updates.
Summary
An OSHA Nursing and Long-term Care COVID-19 Checks Assessment using eAuditor helps facilities identify infection control gaps, improve compliance, and protect healthcare workers and residents. It ensures that PPE usage, social distancing, sanitation, and emergency preparedness align with OSHA and CDC guidelines. Regular assessments help mitigate risks, strengthen safety protocols, and enhance long-term care facility resilience against COVID-19.