Health care association calls for respiratory protection for workers

Pittsburgh – The Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare is calling for effective respiratory protection for health care workers, according to a new position statement.

AOHP emphasizes the need for strong respiratory protection against diseases such as tuberculosis, rubeola, varicella and severe acute respiratory syndrome. The position statement also states that “there have been and will be future emerging infectious diseases” such as Ebola that will require reliable personal protective equipment and proper training.

“Building the respiratory protection competence of OHPs and frontline healthcare workers will better equip healthcare to be prepared for any airborne illness,” AOHP Executive President Dee Tyler said in a press release. “AOHP supports training strategies that promote the proper use of PPE, and AOHP will continue to advocate for and participate in national efforts that build a culture of safety in healthcare.”