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Oregon Health Licensing Agency

Oregon Health Licensing Agency's Licensing Line
March 4, 2009

Connecting the Regulatory Dots at OHLA
At first glance, the Oregon Health Licensing Agency's (OHLA) participation in a panel discussion at the first annual Northwest Environmental Health Conference on February 6 focused only on the potential risks of toxic chemical exposure in nail salons.
 
However, due to OHLA's regulatory oversight of multiple helath and related professions, the agency's participation highlighted the connections among OHLA-regulated professions.
From addressing toxic chemical exposure in nail salons................................................
OHLA's involvement was directly related to its participation in the Oregon Collaborative for Healthy Nail Salons (OCHNS), a group of government agencies, non-profit organizations and other groups concerned with reducing nail salon workers' exposure to toxic chemicals.
 
OHLA is part of OCHNS due to the agency's licensure of approximately 15,000 nail salon technicians in the state.
 
..............................................................To registering environmental health specialists
OHLA also registers approximately 250 of the state's environmental health specialists, who help to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks and other public and environmental health problems by monitoring health and safety standards related to food, water and consumer products, among other areas.
 
One of the conference topics was "Chemicals of Concern in the Healthcare Setting," which focused on such potentially harmful substances as phthalates, which make the tubing used by respiratory therapists, another OHLA-regulated profession, more flexible, and are still found in many consumer products, including nail polish.
 
 
To adding value to the regulatory experience for respiratory therapists.......................
The conference was one more example of how OHLA can make connections among its regulated professions to add value to the regulatory experience.  OHLA staff presented the information on phthalates in flexible tubing at the Respiratory Therapist Licensing Board meeting the following week.
 
By "connecting the dots," OHLA can identify and act upon common concerns and issues that affect the agency's regulated professions and the health and safety of the public.

OHLA Issues $5000 Citation for Unlicensed Tattooing in Lakeview
tattoo
In a case involving the state Office of Disease Prevention and Epidemiology, Lake County Public Health Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) has cited a Lakeview resident $5000 for operating a tattoo facility without a license.
 
On February 10, 2009, OHLA was contacted by the state Office of Disease Prevention and Epidemiology, part of the Public Health Division of the Department of Human Services, to identify an individual providing tattoo services in Lakeview, located east of Klamath Falls in Lake County. 
 
According to OHLA Regulatory Operations staff, the individual’s girlfriend had sought treatment for what was diagnosed as a staphylococcus aureus infection at Lake District Hospital.  The hospital contacted Lake County Public Health, which then informed the Office of Disease Prevention and Epidemiology.
 
OHLA requested assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to collect biological samples from the individual’s residence for testing at the State Public Health Laboratory.  At the residence, OHLA staff found five custom tattoo machines, approximately 30 bottles of ink, hundreds of new and used tattoo needles, and several thousand dollars worth of items allegedly stolen from the local hospital.
 
Officials from Lake County Public Health seized multiple items for biological testing and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office seized tools, equipment and other items allegedly stolen from the hospital as part of a criminal investigation.  Lab results confirmed the presence of staphylococcus aureus on some of the equipment and tattoo ink tested.
 
"We issued the maximum fine partly due to the presence of a three-year-old at the residence who had access to used needles, unsterilized tools and materials contaminated by biological fluids and chemicals," says OHLA Regulatory Operations Manager Tim Molloy.
 
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested the individual for tattooing without a license.  Another person who remains unidentified is still at large and the investigation remains open.

OHLA Legislation Moves Forward While Assessment Continues
Capitol
OHLA is working in cooperation with the Governor's Office and Oregon State Legislature officials and staff to move proposed agency legislation forward as the agency's workplace assessment by the Department of Administrative Services and Department of Justice continues.
 
Proposed legislation includes:
  • Agency Budget, Fee Ratification – Senate Bills 5525, 5526

  • Legislative Concept 2880, OHLA's overarching agency bill, is planned to be introduced by the House Health Care Committee.

  • Direct Entry Midwifery – House Bill 2242
    Creates new category of and definitions and qualifications for licensed direct entry midwife and unlicensed direct entry midwife. Prohibits licensed direct entry midwife from practicing midwifery if license suspended or revoked under certain circumstances.
     
  • Nursing Home Administrators – House Bill 2243
    Changes name of Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators to Nursing Home Administrators Board. Establishes OHLA as provider of administrative and regulatory oversight and centralized service.

  • Orthotics & Prosthetics – Senate Bill 290
    Establishes Orthotics and Prosthetics Board of Examiners within OHLA. Requires that persons who practice orthotics or prosthetics be licensed.
Interested stakeholders should check the OHLA Web site at www.oregon.gov/OHLA for updates during the 2009 Oregon Legislative Session.

OHLA Marks 10th Year as Oregon Celebrates 150 Years of Statehood
OHLA montage
As Oregon celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2009, OHLA marks 10 years as a state consumer protection agency.
 
For highlights of the agency's first 10 years as well as highlights of OHLA-regulated professions, visit www.oregon.gov/OHLA.  The agency's 10-year report includes regulatory timelines and central issues of regulated professions.
 
OHLA is saving thousands of dollars by producing and distributing the report online rather than printing and mailing the report.
 
To learn more about the state's sesquicentennial celebration, visit http://www.oregon150.org/.

Previous Issue of Licensing Line Inadvertently Distributed Again
If you received the December 24, 2008, issue of Licensing Line last Friday, you don't need to read it again.  Due to the sometimes mysterious innerworkings of computer programming, the last issue was inadvertently sent again to our nearly 2000 subscribers.
 
We apologize for the redundancy!

Visit www.oregon.gov/OHLA to Learn about OHLA, Regulated Professions
OHLA Web
OHLA's Web site at www.oregon.gov/OHLA offers numerous features and extensive content for licensees, consumers and other agency stakeholders.
 
OHLA encourages licensees to access our online resources to assist with understanding and complying with state regulations to promote public health and safety and consumer rights.
 
Consumers and other agency stakeholders can use our Web site to learn more about the agency's efforts and developments in multiple health and related professions.
 
OHLA's mission is to put qualified Oregonians to work while protecting Oregon consumers.  In addition to our Web site, we also can assist you via phone (503) 378-8667, e-mail ohla.info@state.or.us and in person at 700 Summer Street NE in Salem.

Licensing Line Reader Feedback: We Want to Hear from You
Comments, suggestions and questions about Licensing Line and the issues we cover are appreciated.  Contact OHLA Communications Coordinator Kraig Bohot at kraig.bohot@state.or.us or call 503-373-1939.