/ en Fri, 25 Apr 2025 22:51:22 -0500 Mon, 13 Jan 25 17:06:44 -0600 /news/headline/2025-01-13-osha-ends-efforts-establish-covid-19-safety-standard <p>The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Jan. 13 <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2025-00632/occupational-exposure-to-covid-19-in-healthcare-settings">announced</a> that it terminated efforts to establish a final COVID-19 safety standard to protect workers in health care settings. The agency said it halted its efforts due to the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, adding that any ongoing risk of COVID-19 faced by health care workers would be better addressed in an OSHA rulemaking effort that addresses infectious diseases more broadly. <br><br>The AHA previously <a href="/news/headline/2022-04-27-aha-testifies-osha-hearing-covid-19-emergency-temporary-standard">urged</a> OSHA not to finalize the rule, saying it was unnecessary and would cause confusion.</p> Mon, 13 Jan 2025 17:06:44 -0600 Environmental Hygiene /career-resources/certification-center/chesp <div> /* Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar */ .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar { position: relative; display: block; overflow: hidden; max-width: 1170px; margin: 0px auto 25px auto; } .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { position: absolute; bottom: 40px; color: #003087; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, .8); width: 100%; padding: 20px 40px; font-size: 3em; box-shadow: 0 3px 8px -5px rgba(0, 0, 0, .6); } @media (max-width:991px) { .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; font-size: 2.5em; } } @media (max-width:767px) { .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { font-size: 2em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; padding: 10px 20px; } } @media (max-width:530px) { .Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar h1 { position: relative; background-color: #63666A22; } } <header class="Banner_Title_Overlay_Bar"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-04/aha-cc-chesp-banner-image-1170x250.png" alt="Banner Image"><div><h1>Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional (CHESP)</h1></div></header></div><div class="row"> p.center_Lead { color: #63666A; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 21px; margin-bottom:25px; } <div class="col-md-9"><p class="center_Lead">Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professionals (CHESP) demonstrate mastery of maintaining the environment of care.</p><p class="center_Lead">Showcase your vast and verified knowledge and expertise of the health care environment, including sanitation, waste and textile management, compliance, finance and administration. This certification will help you gain professional distinction and expand employment opportunities.</p><p class="center_Lead">Learn about how to get certified or how to renew your <a href="#Certifications" title="Jump to Health Care Certifications For Professional Development">certification below</a> or visit <a href="https://www.ahe.org/designations/chesp" target="_blank" title="Visit Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE)">Association for the Health Care Environment</a> (AHE).</p></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4 class="text-align-center"><a href="/career-resources/certification-center" title="黑料正能量 Association Certification Center (AHA-CC)">黑料正能量 Association Certification Center (AHA-CC)</a></h4><img src="/sites/default/files/2023-08/CHESP-logo_250x250.png" alt="Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional (CHESP) Logo"><ul><li><a href="#Resources" title="Here you will find links to forms, documents, and other relevant content"><strong>Program Resources</strong></a></li><li>P: <a href="(312) 422-3702" title="Call the Certification team">(312) 422-3702</a></li><li>E: <a href="mailto:certification@aha.org?subject=Info%20about%20the%20AHA%20Certification%20Center:%20CHESP" title="Email the Certification team">certification@aha.org</a></li></ul></div></div></div><div class="row" id="Certifications"> /* PFLmenu */ .PFLmenu { margin: 20px auto; padding-bottom: 5px; color: #afb1b1; letter-spacing: 1.5px; font-weight: 400; font-size: .9em; width: 100%; } .PFLmenu .PFLMenuBar { border: 1px solid #5fa1d0; padding: 5px 10px; overflow: auto; width: fit-content; margin: auto; } .PFLmenu .PFLMenuBar .PFLmenuGroup a:after { content: "|"; padding: 0 3px 0 6px; color: #9d2235; font-weight: 700; } .PFLmenu .PFLMenuBar .PFLmenuGroup a:last-child:after { content: ""; } .PFLmenu a.PFLmenuHome { text-transform: uppercase; color: #63666A; font-weight: 700; } .PFLmenu a.PFLmenuHome:hover { color: #9d2235; } .PFLmenu .PFLmenuGroup { float: right; } .PFLmenu .PFLmenuHome, .PFLmenu .PFLmenuParent { text-transform: ; color: #63666A; opacity: .9; } .PFLmenu .PFLmenuParent { float: ; font-weight: 700; } .PFLmenu .PFLmenuChild {} .PFLmenu .PFLmenuCurrent { opacity: .7; } .PFLmenu .PFLmenuHome:hover, .PFLmenu .PFLmenuParent:hover { text-transform: ; color: #9d2235; } .PFLmenu .PFLmenuActive { font-weight: 500; color: #9d2235; } /* PFLmenu // */ <div class="PFLmenu"><div class="PFLMenuBar"><div class="PFLmenuGroup"><a class="PFLmenuParent" href="#Qualify" title="Jump to: Do I Qualify for Certification">Do I Qualify for Certification</a> <a class="PFLmenuParent" href="#Logistics" title="Jump to: Testing Logistics">Testing Logistics</a> <a class="PFLmenuParent" href="#Process" title="Jump to: Recertification Process">Recertification Process</a> <a class="PFLmenuParent" href="#Study" title="Jump to: Study Resources">Study Resources</a></div></div></div></div> .SessionWrapper { border: solid 1px #aaa; margin-bottom: 20px; } h2.SessionTitle { font-weight: 700; background-color: #003087; color: #fff; padding: 15px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 33px; } .SessionEvents { margin-bottom: 30px; } .SessionEvents br { margin-bottom: 10px; } .SessionEvents h3 { font-size: 30px; } .SessionEvents h4 { color: #9d2235; } .SessionEvents ul { list-style: none; /* Remove default bullets */ padding-left: 25px; margin-bottom: 25px; } .SessionEvents ul li { margin-bottom: 7px; line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 16px; } .SessionEvents ul li::before { content: " "; font-size: 1em; margin-right: 10px; display: inline-block; height: 12px; background-color: #9d2235; width: 12px; position: relative; top: 0px; } .SessionEvents ul li { padding-left: 23px; text-indent: -23px; } <div class="row SessionWrapper" id="Qualify"><h2 class="SessionTitle">Do I Qualify for Certification?</h2><div class="SessionEvents"><div class="col-md-1"> </div><div class="col-md-10"><h3 id="Researchers">Eligibility for the examination requires <span>ONE</span> of the following:</h3><ul><li>Baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university plus three (3) years of environmental services experience*in a health care setting** of which two (2) of those years must have been in a management/supervisory/administrative role.</li><li>Associate degree or equivalent from an accredited college plus four (4) years of environmental services experience* in a health care setting** of which three (3) of those years must have been in a management/supervisory/administrative role.</li><li>High school diploma or equivalent plus five (5) years of environmental services experience* in a management/supervisory/administrative role in a health care setting**.</li></ul><p><em><small>* Environmental services experience refers to work experience in operations related to environmental sanitation, waste management and textile management.</small></em></p><p><em><small>** Includes experience with a provider of environmental services or products to a health care facility (e.g., Consultants, Manufacturers, Vendors, Contract Services Providers, etc.)</small></em></p></div><div class="col-md-1"> </div></div></div><div class="row SessionWrapper" id="Logistics"><h2 class="SessionTitle">Testing Logistics</h2><div class="SessionEvents"><div class="col-md-1"> </div><div class="col-md-10"> <img alt="medical staff with hand to head" src="/sites/default/files/2022-09/spg_job_stressor_400.png"> </div>--><p>The 黑料正能量 Association Certification Center contracts with PSI to administer its certification exams.</p><p>Eligible candidates <a href="http://ams.aha.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=AHACertApply&ct1_credential=CHESP&ct2_process=CHESP_APP" title="Apply">must apply</a> to take the exam with the 黑料正能量 Association Certification Center. Once the candidate purchases their exam, they can schedule their exam with PSI through the <a href="https://ams.aha.org/eweb/dynamicpage.aspx?webkey=c2d2b8a9-0b78-4ff4-88c2-1fd4ebbd2302" title="AHA Certification Portal">AHA Certification Portal</a>. Candidates can schedule their exam with PSI at an approved <a href="https://home.psiexams.com/#/test-center?p=NGH9CHWN" title="Find an Exam Center">testing center</a> or they can schedule a <a href="https://www.psiexams.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/PM-Online-Proctoring-Full-Guide.pdf" target="_blank" title="PSI | Testing Excellence: Online Proctoring Guide">live-remote proctored</a> exam with PSI.</p><p>If you need to reschedule an exam, log in to the <a href="https://ams.aha.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=AHACertApply&ct1_credential=CHESP&ct2_process=CHESP_APP" target="_blank" title="Online Certification Management Portal">Online Certification Management Portal</a>.</p><h3>Exam cost:</h3><ul><li>$275 for AHE members</li><li>$425 for non-members</li><li>Eligible veterans can have the cost of their <a href="https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/test-fees/" target="_blank" title="U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs| Get paid back for test fees">exam reimbursed</a></li></ul><p>Candidates that pass their exam can expect to receive their official certification from the 黑料正能量 Association Certification Center two to four weeks after their testing date. Please contact the <a href="mailto:certification@aha.org?subject=Info%20about%20the%20AHA%20Certification%20Center:%20CHESP" title="Email the Certification team">黑料正能量 Association Certification Center</a> if you have questions about a certification or need the receipt for the exam for your records.</p></div><div class="col-md-1"> </div></div></div><div class="row SessionWrapper" id="Process"><h2 class="SessionTitle">Recertification Process</h2><div class="SessionEvents"><div class="col-md-1"> </div><div class="col-md-10"><h3>Certificants can renew their certification in <span>two</span> ways:</h3><ul><li><strong>Option 1:</strong> Track and renew your CE credits by logging into your <a href="https://ams.aha.org/eweb/dynamicpage.aspx?webkey=c2d2b8a9-0b78-4ff4-88c2-1fd4ebbd2302" target="_blank" title="Certification Portal">Certification Portal</a> and <a href="/system/files/media/file/2019/05/AHA_CC-CHESP-QualifyingActivities.pdf" target="_blank" title="AHA CC CHESP Qualifying Activities">documenting 45 qualifying contact hours</a> over your three-year certification period.</li><li><strong>Option 2:</strong> Successfully pass the CHESP exam.</li></ul><p>Certificants may submit their renewal <span><strong>one year</strong></span> before the current expiration date. However, if you submit your application early, that will not change the expiration date or extend the next renewal cycle. Your 45 contact hours must fall within the three-year certification dates.</p><h3>Renewal fees:</h3><ul><li>$135 for AHE members</li><li>$225 for non-members</li></ul><p><em><small>Additional $50 if renewing in the 30 days after your expiration date.</small></em></p><p><em><small>You can submit your certification renewal up to 30 days after your expiration date with a $50 late fee. However, you cannot submit CECs you earned during this 30-day extended grace period. If you do not submit your renewal by the end of the 30-days, you will have to retake and successfully pass the exam to reinstate your credential.</small></em></p><p><em><small>The 黑料正能量 Association Certification Center may grant an extension of time to a certificant to complete the number of Continuing Education Credits (CECs) required for a recertification cycle. An extension of time shall not relieve the applicant of the responsibility for completion of the recertification requirements for the cycle in which the extension period falls. A certificant with a credential in Revoked status is NOT eligible to request an extension.</small></em></p></div><div class="col-md-1"> </div></div></div><div class="row SessionWrapper" id="Study"><h2 class="SessionTitle">Study Resources</h2><div class="SessionEvents"><div class="col-md-1"> </div><div class="col-md-10"><ul><li>Review the <a href="https://www.ahe.org/designations/chesp" target="_blank" title="AHE | Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional (CHESP)">AHE resource page</a> to see a list of materials and classes offered for CHESP exam preparation.</li><li>Take the <a href="https://www.psionlinestore.com/aha/" target="_blank" title="psi Testing Excellence | AHA (黑料正能量 Association Certification Center)">SAE-Self Assessment Exam</a>, an online test that parallels the actual certification exam.</li></ul></div><div class="col-md-1"> </div></div></div> .y-hr3 div:nth-child(2){ border-top: solid 2px lightgrey; margin: 25px 0px } <div class="row y-hr3"><div class="col-md-3"> </div><div class="col-md-6"> </div><div class="col-md-3"> </div></div><div class="row"><div class="col-md-12" id="Resources"><div class="col-md-12"><h2>Program Resources</h2></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"><h3>Quick Links</h3><ul><li><a href="http://www.ahe.org/" target="_blank">AHE</a></li><li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2019/05/AHA_CC-CHESP-Handbook.pdf" target="_blank" title="AHA CC CHESP Handbook">Candidate Handbook</a></li><li><a href="https://ams.aha.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?site=aha&WebCode=runreports&RedirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fams.aha.org%2Feweb%2FReports%2FReportStart.aspx%3FReportKey%3Dc61e4e61-dc4e-4cc3-a20c-790963bebfd3%26cpg_code%3Dchesp%26new_certs%3Dno&_ga=2.180516007.1619578656.1508702991-352981974.1508351712" target="_blank" title="Credential Verification">Credential Verification</a></li><li><a href="https://ams.aha.org/eweb/dynamicpage.aspx?webkey=c2d2b8a9-0b78-4ff4-88c2-1fd4ebbd2302" target="_blank" title="Certification Portal">Certification Portal</a></li></ul></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6"><h3>Forms</h3><ul><li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2023/11/AHA-CC-W9.pdf" target="_blank" title="View the W9">W9</a></li><li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2023/02/AHA_CC-Pin-Cert-form.pdf" target="_blank" title="View the Certificate/Pin Order Form">Certificate/Pin Order Form</a></li><li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/05/AHA_CC-Logo-form.pdf" target="_blank" title="View the Logo Order Form">Logo Order Form</a></li></ul></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-12"><h3>Health Care Certifications</h3><ul><li><a href="/career-resources/certification-center#PatientSafety" title="Patient Safety Professionals">Patient Safety Professionals</a></li><li><a href="/career-resources/certification-center#EnvironmentalServices" title="Environmental Services Professionals">Environmental Services Professionals</a></li><li><a href="/career-resources/certification-center#Facilities" title="Facilities Professionals">Facilities Professionals</a></li><li><a href="/career-resources/certification-center#Construction" title="Construction">Construction</a></li><li><a href="/career-resources/certification-center#SupplyChain" title="Supply Chain">Supply Chain</a></li></ul></div></div></div> Mon, 08 Apr 2024 16:40:27 -0500 Environmental Hygiene <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-8"> <p>The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 11 <a href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-new-standards-protect-public-health-reduce-exposure-ethylene-oxide" target="_blank">proposed new standards</a> for commercial sterilization facilities and certain health care organizations that use ethylene oxide (EtO). This Special Bulletin reviews the highlights of these proposals and provides additional background and insight on the issue and potential impact for hospitals and health systems.</p> <div class="panel module-typeC"> <div class="panel-heading"> <h3 class="panel-title">Key Highlights</h3> </div> <div class="panel-body"> <p>The proposals would:</p> <ul> <li>Establish new mitigation requirements focused on protecting and keeping safe individuals working in an EtO setting.</li> <li>Require health care facilities that use EtO sterilization devices to implement certain engineering controls to reduce worker exposure.</li> <li>Require EPA to work with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure that the new standards do not negatively impact the medical device supply chain.</li> </ul> <p>The EPA estimates these proposals would lead to an 80% reduction in EtO emissions from commercial sterilizers.</p> </div> </div> <h2>AHA Take</h2> <p>Providing high-quality patient care, and protecting, strengthening and advancing the health of communities, are top priorities for America's hospitals and health systems. Medical devices are essential in providing many types of services to patients, and effective sterilization significantly mitigates the risk of infections. As the EPA takes steps to update important environmental controls and reduce the levels of EtO in the medical device sterilization process, we are encouraged by the agency鈥檚 ongoing collaboration with the FDA, CDC and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Working together, we hope that each of these agencies will contribute valuable insight and expertise that is focused on ensuring the new requirements protect workers and local communities while not disrupting an already fragile medical supply chain.</p> <p>Moving forward, the AHA remains committed to supporting short-term and long-term solutions that allow for the safe and effective sterilization of vital medical equipment. In the short term, this means achieving the lowest possible level of emission of EtO while still sterilizing essential medical equipment. Longer term, this will require additional options for effective sterilization of equipment and strategies for reducing and ultimately eliminating harmful emissions, as well as the development of new devices that can be sterilized in different, less risky ways.</p> <h2>What You Can Do</h2> <ul> <li>Share this information with your leadership team and supply chain professionals.</li> <li>Confirm whether or not your organization uses EtO in any in-house sterilization process.</li> <li>Reach out to the AHA with any questions, including regarding engagement on this issue.</li> </ul> <h2>Proposed Ethylene Oxide Standards</h2> <h3>Background</h3> <h4>What is Ethylene Oxide?</h4> <p>EtO is a flammable, colorless gas that is used in a variety of ways, including the sterilization of medical supplies that cannot be effectively sterilized using other methods, like steam. EtO currently is used to sterilize about 50% of the medical devices used in the U.S., which equates to approximately 20 billion devices annually. These devices include essential equipment for care delivery, like various types of tubing, heart valves, surgical kits, pacemakers, syringes and catheters. While some hospitals still use EtO in a limited capacity, most have adopted other methods of in-house sterilization, meaning the bulk of EtO-based sterilization of medical supplies is performed by the 86 commercial sterilization facilities across the country.</p> <h4>What is EPA鈥檚 Role in Regulating Medical Supplies?</h4> <p>The EPA is charged with protecting the health and safety of the public by appropriately regulating the public鈥檚 exposure to toxic chemicals. In this instance, the EPA is focused on reducing the exposure to potential harmful levels of EtO emissions found in the air in communities near sterilization facilities, as well as properly mitigating exposure in workplaces that use EtO. According to the agency鈥檚 analysis, heightened levels of exposure to EtO for both workers and local communities can lead to elevated cancer risks. Given the heightened potential risk to those communities and workers, the agency is utilizing authorities under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require a reduction in EtO emissions from commercial sterilizers with a focus on ensuring local communities are not subjected to unnecessary levels of EtO in the air. Further, because EtO technically is classified as a pesticide, the agency is using the authorities provided under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to strengthen worker protection requirements with the goal of ensuring that workplaces using EtO are safe for employees.</p> <h3>Proposed New and Updated Standards under the Clean Air Act</h3> <p>Under the CAA, the EPA is proposing new and updated requirements for all commercial sterilization facilities that use EtO. Once fully implemented, the proposals are slated to reduce EtO emissions for commercial sterilization facilities by about 80%. In addition to the targeted emissions reductions, EPA anticipates that the new and updated standards will reduce local community risk levels related to EtO to levels at or below the benchmark for lifetime cancer risk set out in the CAA.</p> <p>Specifically, if finalized, the agency鈥檚 proposal would require commercial sterilizers to:</p> <ul> <li>Install pollution controls within 18 months of release of the final rule;</li> <li>Continuously monitor air pollution at the facility to ensure that control equipment is operating effectively;</li> <li>Revise and establish standards for sterilization chamber vents and aerating room vents and establish standards to specifically address EtO emissions from chamber exhaust vents and room air;</li> <li>Revise standards for emissions during startup, shutdown and malfunction; and</li> <li>Require electric reporting of pollution control monitoring data.</li> </ul> <p>Moving forward, the EPA estimates that the capital costs associated with the proposed rule would be $220 million with annualized costs projected to be $68 million. <em>While some commercial sterilizers already have made these investments, the increased cost associated with compliance could create challenges for facilities that have yet to invest in new emissions reduction-focused equipment and technology.</em></p> <h3>Requirements Included in the Proposed Interim Decision under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act</h3> <p>EtO can be designated as a pesticide when used to sterilize certain equipment, including some medical devices when those devices cannot be sterilized using alternative methods such as steam or radiation. Given this designation, the EPA has authority under FIFRA to take actions to ensure the safety and protection of individuals who may use EtO in the workplace to limit exposure to the sterilizing agent over long periods of time given the potential cancer risks.</p> <p>To achieve its stated goal, the EPA is proposing to require <strong>new engineering controls for health care facilities that use EtO.</strong> Those requirements are:</p> <ul> <li>Separating EtO sterilization spaces from other work areas to reduce the broader circulation of EtO;</li> <li>Implementing negative air pressure in rooms containing EtO sterilization devices to ensure that air will not flow to other areas in the health care facility;</li> <li>Using abatement devices to remove EtO from exhaust air and reduce discharge to the environment; and</li> <li>Discharging exhaust air from EtO sterilization devices through exterior ventilation stacks after passing through abatement devices to reduce the amount of EtO re-entrained into the building.</li> </ul> <p>In addition to new requirements for health care facilities that use EtO, the proposal would require a series of engineering controls for worker protection in commercial sterilization facilities. Among other requirements, the proposal calls for ventilation of storage areas, requiring sterilization and aeration to occur in the same EtO chamber, and automation and HVAC updates. Further, commercial sterilization facilities will have to implement real-time monitoring capable of detecting levels at or below 10 parts per billion (ppb) of EtO in the air. In instances where levels surpass 10 ppb, the agency鈥檚 proposed personal protective equipment requirements must be met. Moving forward, the agency intends to use the data that is collected to advance additional worker protections in the future.</p> <h2>AHA Actions Related to the EPA Proposals</h2> <p>The AHA is planning to comment on these proposals. Our prior comments have emphasized the need to balance the important goal of keeping the air we breathe safe with ensuring our medical devices are sterile so that we can safely provide needed care for patients. We continue to speak with representatives from various group purchasing organizations, device manufacturers and commercial sterilizers to better understand any implications that these proposals may have for the medical device supply chain. Should members have concerns, we would appreciate hearing from you. Comments are due June 12, 2023.</p> <h2>Further Questions</h2> <p>If you have further questions, please contact Mark Howell, AHA鈥檚 director of policy and patient safety, at <a href="mailto:mhowell@aha.org?subject=Special Bulletin: EPA Proposes New Standards for Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilization Facilities">mhowell@aha.org</a>.</p> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2023/04/Special-Bulletin-EPA-Proposes-New-Standards-for-Ethylene-Oxide-Commercial-Sterilization-Facilities.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Special Bulletin: EPA Proposes New Standards for Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilization Facilities PDF."><img alt="Special Bulletin: EPA Proposes New Standards for Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilization Facilities page 1." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b02d6cf2-3475-40c0-82fe-1fac15169e07" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Special-Bulletin-EPA-Proposes-New-Standards-for-Ethylene-Oxide-Commercial-Sterilization-Facilities.png" width="695" height="900"></a></p> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:39:04 -0500 Environmental Hygiene /news/headline/2023-04-07-epa-proposal-could-have-major-impact-chemical-widely-used-throughout-health-care <p>The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a tightening of standards regulating the manufacturing of several toxic chemicals, including ethylene oxide, which is widely used for sterilizing PPE and other medical equipment. The EPA on April 6 said its proposal to reduce toxic air pollution from the synthetic organic chemical manufacturing industry and the polymers and resins industry is intended to reduce air toxics-related cancer risks for people who live near approximately 200 plants across the country that make synthetic organic chemicals. In connection with this proposed rule, the EPA also is expected to release another proposal focused on emission standards for ethylene oxide鈥檚 use in commercial sterilization facilities. AHA will update members on any potential impact of these proposals as more information becomes available. Read EPA鈥檚 <a href="https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/PROPOSED.%20HON.PR_OVERVIEW.Fact%20Sheet.FINAL_.4.6.23_0.pdf">fact sheet</a> for more information. </p> Fri, 07 Apr 2023 15:05:13 -0500 Environmental Hygiene /news/headline/2023-02-09-groups-update-best-practices-hand-hygiene-prevent-infection <p>The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology, in collaboration with AHA and other organizations, yesterday published updated <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology/article/sheaidsaapic-practice-recommendation-strategies-to-prevent-healthcareassociated-infections-through-hand-hygiene-2022-update/FCD05235C79DC57F0E7F54D7EC314C2C">best practice</a>s for hospitals to prevent healthcare-associated infections through hand hygiene based on the latest evidence. Originally published in 2014, the guidance offers recommendations to help acute care hospitals prioritize and implement hand hygiene strategies, engage frontline personnel and monitor performance. <br />  </p> Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:05:00 -0600 Environmental Hygiene