Chapter 21 Patient and Employee Safety Pages 778

Chapter 21 Patient and Employee Safety Pages 778 -803

OSHA Standards �Occupational Safety and Health Administration �Part of the US Department of Labor �Establishes guidelines for a safe work environment for all employers and their employees. �Employers must offer training and immunizations within the first 10 days of a new job

OSHA Compliance �Employers must comply with 4 safety areas: 1. Ergonomic program 2. Injury and Illness prevention programs 3. Hazard Communication Program 4. Exposure Control plan

Ergonomic Program �Ergonomic: An object or practice designed to reduce injury �Your chair, desk and computer should be adjusted to fit your needs. �If lifting is required (patients or objects), procedures and equipment should be in place to facilitate these activities. (more later… body mechanics)

Stretching to Reduce Injury From Repetitive Activities… lets try it! � Deep breathing – close eyes, in nose/out mouth, x 4 � Change focus – Look away from computer, focus on something far away, then on something close x 4 � Arm and hand shake – Arms at sides, relax, shake � Finger stretch – Grab desk with palms up, stretch, palms down, stretch repeat � Ankle stretch – Rotate feet right and left � Body stretch – Hands behind head, arch back � Shoulder shrug – Shoulders to ears, hold x count of 3, drop shoulders Repeat X 4

Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) � OSHA mandates that employers establish, implement and maintain an effective IIPP. � Part of this program is to offer immunizations such as Hepatitis B, and screening for exposure to Tuberculosis (Mantoux test). 48 -72 hours later…

Hazard Communication Program �Employers must inform employees of… ◦ Chemicals or hazards in the environment ◦ Where chemicals are stored ◦ How to read chemical labels and hazard signs ◦ Methods and equipment for cleaning chemical spills ◦ Location of personal protection equipment

Hazard Symbols

Biohazardous Material �Biological materials or infectious agents that may cause harm to human, animal or environmental health. �Examples: ◦ Viruses (HIV, Influenza) ◦ Bacteria (E. coli, ) ◦ Plant toxins ◦ Allergens (pollen)

Preventing Spread of Biohazards �Sterilize equipment between patients �Personal Protective Equipment �Needles disposed of in designated sharps containers �Clothing /linens exposed to body fluids stored and labeled unit properly washed �Laboratory samples of body fluids must be carefully labeled and stored

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) �Forms that provide the information needed to handle chemicals safely. �Created by the chemical manufacturers �MSDSs must be made available to employees

Green Cleaning �Many traditional cleaning supplies are toxic and come with warnings. May cause blindness, vomiting or death if swallowed �Is this what we should be using around sick people? �Green can mean using more natural non-toxic cleaners, or just using less of the traditional cleaners �Green cleaners can cost more up front, but require less regulation and create fewer injuries.

General Safety AKA, common sense rules! �Walk in the hallways ◦ Reduces injury and creates a calm atmosphere �Walk on the right side of the hallway, no more than 2 people across ◦ No traffic jams �Use the handrails when using the stairs ◦ No falls �Watch out for swinging doors. ◦ Is there someone on the other side? �No horseplay! ◦ Disrespectful and disturbing

More Safety �Always check labels ◦ If there’s no label, don’t use it! �Wipe up spills and pick up your trash ◦ Slipping and tripping can be a problem �Dispose of sharps in designated containers ◦ Needles, broken glass etc. �Follow instructions carefully ◦ Get help when needed! �Report injuries immediately ◦ The person gets help and the hazard gets corrected.

Even More Safety Tips! � Check electrical cords for damage ◦ Frayed/damaged cords can cause shocks, burns or fires � If you receive a shock from electrical equipment, report it immediately! � Do not use malfunctioning equipment � Secure all medical supplies and equipment ◦ Sharps, drugs and chemicals can cause injury to patients and visitors. Lock them up! � Report anything unsafe… Immediately � Follow Standard Precautions

�Identify the patient Patient Safety ◦ Right room, check name on identification band, double check the order, ask the patient their name. �Ambulation devices (Canes, crutches and walkers) ◦ Check for structural damage ◦ Areas touching the ground must have rubber tips to prevent slipping ◦ Clean and free of body fluids

Gurney and Wheelchair Safety � Lock Breaks (except when moving) � Back a patient down a hill � Back over indented or raised doorways � Keep clean! � Lock Breaks (except when moving) � Back a patient down a hill � Secure straps and/or put up side rails � Back a patient headfirst into an elevator � Never leave a patient unattended � Keep clean! Wheelchairs Gurney

Postural Supports (AKA soft restraints) � Used to restrict a patient’s movements � Most common are vests, wrist and ankle supports � Used more often in extended care facilities � Doctor must order them… required by law! � Good when the patient is at high risk of injuring self or others � Leave at least 2 fingers of space between patient and support to maintain circulation � Must be checked every 2 hours � Side rails alone are NOT a good choice. Confused patients will just climb over them and fall from an even greater height

Disaster Preparedness �As a healthcare worker, be aware of the disaster plan. Know… ◦ Floor plan of the facility ◦ Nearest exit ◦ Location of alarms and fire extinguishers ◦ How to use alarms and fire extinguishers ◦ Your role as a health care worker when a disaster occurs

In an Emergency, Remember: �Assess the situation, count to 10 (or less) to calm yourself �Make sure that YOU are not in danger �Remove those who are in immediate danger… if you can safely do so �Notify others of the emergency �Use the stairs

Fire? Remember: RACE and PASS Rescue Alarm Contain Extinguish Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep

Fire causes and prevention � 3 elements must be present before a fire can start ◦ Oxygen ◦ Heat ◦ Fuel

Fire Prevention � Most fires can be prevented � Everyone must be observant and careful! � Restrict smoking to designated areas and monitor garbage containers � Check electrical equipment for proper functioning and frayed cords � Caution with flammable (catches fire easily or burns quickly) liquids. Use only the amount you need and keep them in approved containers

Fire extinguishers � Class A � Class B � Class C � Class D � Class ABC ◦ Most common. Good for ordinary fires like wood, paper, cloth and plastics ◦ Good for flammable liquids like grease, gas and oil ◦ For electrical equipment ◦ For combustible metals like sodium, titanium and magnesium ◦ Will put out all things that AB or C extinguishers will, but the chemical can be irritating to the skin.

Principles of Body Mechanics � Body Mechanics: Coordination of body alignment, balance and movement � Good body mechanics needed in healthcare ◦ Moving patients ◦ Moving equipment ◦ Performing daily tasks (vital signs, charting, administering medications etc. ) � Can ◦ ◦ ◦ get help in moving patients with Wheelchairs Walkers Canes Hydraulic lifts Gait belts

Gait Belts

Principles of Body Mechanics � To lift an object: ◦ If it is too heavy, get help! ◦ Stand close to the object ◦ Create a solid base of support by placing feet apart with one foot slightly forward ◦ Bend at hips and knees, and keep back straight. ◦ Bring hands down to the object ◦ Keep the load close to your body and centered at hips ◦ Use large muscles in your legs to return to standing… not your back muscles! ◦ Do not twist, move your feet ◦ When possible, push or pull rather than lift