The Real Talk article series includes real customer questions and our answers. Since these are questions directly from actual clinics, practices, hospitals, and businesses, we thought you might have these questions too. We hope that you find this format helpful. Stay tuned for more Real Talk - your question might even be featured!
Question: Do you have an update for CA OSHA's ATD standard that they released on 9/28/2022 in regards to monkey pox?
The California DOSH guidance on MPX issued in September 2022 does not represent a change to the ATD plan already included in our Cal/OSHA Documentation Kit materials. To briefly summarize, the guidance includes measures to:
- Maintain a written procedure for environmental cleaning/disinfection and handling contaminated laundry - this is in the bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan
- Ensure source control - this is in your ATD plan
- Implement a screening and referral procedure for suspected and confirmed cases of MPX - screening/referral measures are already in your ATD plan for any airborne infectious disease (AirID) including MPX
- Ensure appropriate respiratory protection and PPE - this is in your ATD plan
- Respond to exposure incidents - this is in your bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan
In short, you'll continue to follow your ATD plan when establishing preparedness and response measures for MPX.