OSHA Announces Focused Inspections in Nursing Homes Treating COVID (SNF)

On Monday, March 7, 2022 the United States Occupational Safety & Health Association (OSHA) released a memo outlining plans to initiate focused infection control surveys in hospital and skill nursing facility settings caring for COVID patients. The intent behind the uptick in these surveys is to verify compliance and the readiness to address any ongoing or future COVID surges, as well as preparation for any potential pandemic situations in the future. 

Facilities likely to receive an OSHA targeted survey include those who:

• Received a prior OSHA inspection and received a COVID related citation
• Received an OSHA Hazard Alert Letter (HAL)
• Has COVID complaints on file with OSHA, with or without a Rapid Response Investigation (RRI) by OSHA
• Randomly selected, remote-only inspections

Further information and details of OSHA COVID Focused Inspection surveys can be found HERE.