Infection control and preventing infection are some of the most important wound care services that we provide. Always, we follow OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations when doing so. These protect both healthcare providers and patients by mandating safe practices in medical environments.

These regulations can serve as part of the foundation for infection prevention protocols across healthcare settings. At West Coast Wound Care, we follow OSHA regulations closely to maintain safe, hygienic environments wherever care is delivered, incorporating these standards into our patient-centered services.

physical therapist checking a patient’s wound dressing

Why OSHA Standards Matter in Wound Care

Open wounds, especially those that are deep, draining, or slow to heal, unfortunately, create opportunities for microbial entry. When combined with underlying conditions like diabetes or compromised circulation, wounds can quickly become infected if protocols aren’t followed.

OSHA’s regulations are not optional—they are mandatory for all healthcare employers, including us. These regulations are designed to:

  • Protect patients from healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs)

  • Safeguard staff against exposure to bloodborne pathogens

  • Standardize procedures for handling infectious materials

  • Ensure the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Reduce risk across care settings, including outpatient and mobile environments

Because we work in patients’ homes, long-term care facilities, and dedicated clinics, these regulations help us maintain consistent infection control standards wherever we provide care.

Core OSHA Regulations Related to Infection Control 

The most applicable OSHA rule to wound care is the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). This regulation requires healthcare employers like us to implement practices that reduce occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Since wound care often involves direct contact with bodily fluids, complying with this standard is essential.

Key OSHA-mandated infection control practices include:

  • Exposure Control Plan: We maintain a written plan outlining how we minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens. We update this plan annually and ensure it’s accessible to all staff.

  • Universal Precautions: We treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, regardless of patient diagnosis. This applies to every treatment, including dressing changes, debridement, and cleaning procedures.

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): We provide appropriate PPE such as gloves, gowns, face shields, and masks and ensure our team uses them properly during all relevant procedures.

  • Hand Hygiene Protocols: We align with CDC guidelines for handwashing and alcohol-based sanitizers before and after patient contact.

  • Sharps Disposal: We use OSHA-approved sharps containers to dispose of needles, scalpels, or anything that may puncture the skin.

  • Engineering and Work Practice Controls: We apply no-touch techniques and barrier strategies to reduce exposure, even in mobile care environments like patients’ homes.

  • Training and Recordkeeping: We provide annual training on infection control and document all incidents and follow-ups as required.

All these practices are part of our services and help reduce infection risks. (OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard – OSHA.gov)

Recent Developments in OSHA Infection Control Standards

While the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard remains central, several recent developments have deepened the importance of infection control:

  • COVID-19 Response: Temporary standards introduced during the pandemic emphasized PPE and ventilation. Although some emergency measures have expired, many of these protocols remain part of our infection control routines.

  • Focus on Mobile Healthcare: With mobile healthcare growing, regulators are more attentive to infection control outside clinical settings. We’ve documented how we meet OSHA standards during home visits.

  • Agency Alignment: OSHA, the CDC, and CMS now work closely to ensure healthcare providers like us maintain strict infection control measures in all settings.

These shifts underscore the need for infection prevention strategies tailored to every patient, whether at a clinic or in the field.

How We Ensure OSHA Compliance

We’ve embedded OSHA compliance into everything we do at West Coast Wound Care. Whether we’re seeing a patient in one of our clinics or visiting them at home, we follow the same rigorous safety standards.

Here’s how we do it:

  • Staff Training: Every member of our team completes OSHA training annually, covering PPE, exposure responses, and proper infection control techniques.

  • PPE Availability and Usage: We make sure our staff always has access to—and uses—the correct PPE for each procedure.

  • Sanitization Practices: We thoroughly disinfect all instruments between uses. For mobile visits, our clinicians carry sterilized equipment and set up clean, safe environments in each patient’s home.

  • Sharps Disposal: We use approved containers to manage sharps and work with licensed disposal providers, including when we’re on the road.

  • Incident Reporting: We follow OSHA’s guidelines for reporting and addressing any potential exposure events.

  • Environmental Safety in Mobile Care: We evaluate each mobile care setting and adapt infection control protocols as needed to maintain a sterile workspace.

By keeping these systems in place, we protect both our patients and our staff while delivering high-quality care.

Services We Provide at West Coast Wound Care

We specialize in providing a wide range of wound care services, and we do so in a way that prioritizes safety, infection prevention, and patient comfort. Our care team is trained to treat:

  • Diabetic foot ulcers

  • Venous leg ulcers

  • Arterial ulcers

  • Pressure injuries across all stages

  • Surgical wounds

  • Traumatic injuries

  • Infected wounds

  • Wounds complicated by other medical conditions

Our treatments include:

  • Wound cleansing and dressing

  • Sharp or conservative debridement (when necessary)

  • Use of advanced antimicrobial dressings

  • Compression therapy for venous ulcers

  • Pressure offloading strategies

  • Ongoing patient and caregiver education on care practices

Everything we do is supported by documentation and safety protocols that meet OSHA standards, ensuring continuity and excellence in care.

If you or someone you know is in need of reliable, skilled, and infection-conscious care—delivered either in a clinic or right at home—we’re ready to help. At West Coast Wound Care, we combine safety with compassion to help wounds heal the right way. Reach out for more information or to schedule an appointment to see how we can treat infection and more.