[theresamoorelyn]

Is their any OSHA law that says that there is no food or drink allowed in areas where patients are seen. No blood or other OPIM involved in this area.
Thank You

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes I can't quote it off the cuff, but since they are there with various illness, many could be air borne, and of course from a company rule it is very very unprofessional to have it there.

[LearningAsIGo]

Food and drink can be allowed were patients are seen. Otherwise, we'd never feed patients in their hospital rooms! ;)

What you might be thinking of is storage areas. Refrigerators reserved for use in drugs/blood, etc cannot be used for food as well. Also, areas used for procedures or to keep pathogens, etc. such as the sterile lab environment should be free from food/drink.

General patient areas have no such restrictions.

[LearningAsIGo]

yes I can't quote it off the cuff, but since they are there with various illness, many could be air borne, and of course from a company rule it is very very unprofessional to have it there.

Unprofessional, yes. OSHA standard, no.

[jenniepepsi]

Sorry I'm still in school (phlebotomy) , but we covered this in my last modular, and I got this from my book
OSHA's Sanitation Standard - 29CFR1910.141
“(g) Consumption of food and beverages on the premises.. .
(2) Eating and drinking areas. - No employee shall be allowed to consume food or
Beverages in a toilet room nor in any area exposed to a toxic material.”

So I would assume, if it is simply a patient exam room, or a room where the patient is accually residing in (living in) then yes its fine. But any lab, testing area, bathroom, or any other area where you may come in contact with any toxic materials, no.

[bleusong52]

Why would you be in a patient's room, consuming liquids or eating solids?

[jenniepepsi]

Why would you be in a patient's room, consuming liquids or eating solids?

Perhaps the patient asked you to share a meal with them? And osha standards are for everyone, patients included.