Chapter 13 Promotion of Safety

Safety for Healthcare workers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CVkEpXp7ho&feature=youtu.be

13:1 Using Body Mechanics Body Mechanics refers to the way you move your body and keep your balance Good body mechanics keeps you safe and prevents injury Your Muscles work best when they are used correctly Correct use of muscles makes lifting, pulling, and pushing easier Prevents unnecessary fatigue and strain and saves energy Prevents injury to self and others Body Mechanics refers to the way you move and keep your balance . Using body mechanic correctly keeps you safe and prevents injury.

Rules of Good Body Mechanics Maintain a broad base of support A broad base would be your feet shoulder length apart and 1 foot slightly in front and keep your back straight Bend from the hips and knees to get close to an object Always use the strongest muscles to do the job (shoulders, upper arms, hips, and thighs) (the back is one of the weakest) Use the weight of your body to help push or pull an object Carry heavy objects close to the body A broad base would be your feet shoulder length apart and 1 foot slightly in front. Keep your back straight to prevent strain. The strongest muscles are the shoulders, upper arms, hips, and thighs. Your back muscles are one of the weakest (continues)

Rules of Good Body Mechanics (continued) Avoid twisting your body as you work Avoid bending for long periods of time Get help if a patient or object is too heavy to lift alone Use assistive equipment when needed (e.g., mechanical lifts, transfer [gait] belts, wheelchairs)

13:2 Preventing Accidents and Injuries Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Establishes and enforces safety standards in the workplace Two main standards that affect health care: The Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Standard This means that employers must inform their employees of hazardous chemicals in the workplace and provide Material Safety Data Sheets (safety information for each chemical) see pg. 337 The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard Protection from exposure to body fluids (What would be one easy way to protect yourself from body fluids?) Body fluids can carry Hepatitis B and C, and AIDS (continues)

Preventing Accidents and Injuries (continued) Both of these standards affect health care workers: The Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Standard Health care workers often work around hazardous chemicals The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard Health care workers come in contact with body Fluids regularly What are some body fluids you may come in contact with as a health care worker?

Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals The Standard requires employers to inform employees of all chemicals and hazards in workplace All manufacturers must provide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with any hazardous product they sell Specific information has to be provided on the MSDS

Bloodborne Pathogen Standard Contains mandates to protect health care providers from diseases caused by exposure to body fluids Diseases that can be contracted by exposure to body fluids include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and AIDS

Ergonomics Applied science to promote the safety and well-being of a person by adapting the environment and using techniques to prevent injuries In more simple terms, this is setting up your room/desk/work space so that you can work more easily. “work smarter not harder” (ex. If your job requires a lot of typing, you could use a wrist support)

Components of Ergonomics Correct placement of furniture and equipment Training in muscle movements Efforts to avoid repetitive motions An awareness of the environment to prevent injuries (continues)

Components of Ergonomics (continued) Use Ergonomics to Prevent accidents or injury Centers around people and the immediate environment Health care worker must follow safety regulations Remember, health care workers have a legal responsibility to also protect the patient from harm and injury. Ex. Setting up the patients room so they are able to get to the restroom easily

Lab Safety Carefully handle all sharps Dispose of Sharps in the correct sharps container Do not handle anything without gloves Wash your hands immediately after touching lab materials No Running/ long hair must be put up

Equipment and Solutions Regulations Do not operate or use any equipment until you have been trained on how to use it What are some examples of healthcare equipment? Read and follow operating instructions Report any damaged or malfunctioning equipment immediately Do not use frayed or damaged electrical cords (continues)

Equipment and Solutions Regulations (continued) Observe all safety rules If there is a chemical spill a healthcare worker would read the MSDS before cleaning. Never use solutions that are from unlabeled bottles (why is this?) Read labels at least three times Do not mix solutions together unless instructed to do so (why not do this?)

Patient/Resident Safety Regulations Healthcare workers do not perform any procedures on patients unless instructed and properly authorized Provide privacy for all patients Identify their patients Explain the procedure (continues)

Patient/Resident Safety Regulations (continued) Healthcare workers observe the patient closely during any procedures Check all areas for safety hazards Observe all safety checkpoints

Personal Safety Regulations Responsible to protect yourself and others from injury Use correct body mechanics Wear the required uniform Walk; do not run Report any injury or accident Unsafe situations need to be reported (continues)

Personal Safety Regulations (continued) Keep all areas neat and clean Wash hands frequently Dry hands thoroughly before handling electrical equipment Wear eye protection or safety glasses when appropriate Observe all safety precautions (continues)

Personal Safety Regulations (continued) If any solution comes in contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with cool water and report If particle gets in eyes, report immediately, do not try to remove or rub eye

13:3 Observing Fire Safety Fire requires Oxygen—found in the air Fuel—any material that will burn Heat—sparks, matches, flames Causes of fires Carelessness Overloaded circuits Frayed electrical wires Smoking Intentional

Classes of Fire Extinguishers Classified and labeled according to kind of fire they extinguish Main classes: A, B, C, and D Class A: for combustibles such as paper, cloth, plastic, or wood Class B: for flammable or combustible liquids which include gasoline, paint, grease, or cooking fat (continues)

Classes of Fire Extinguishers (continued) Class C: for electrical fires such as fuse boxes, appliances, wiring, and electrical outlets (the C stands for non-conductive) Class D: for burning or specific combustible metals

Types of Fire Extinguishers The main types include: Have you ever wondered what was in a fire extinguisher? Water Carbon dioxide Dry chemical Halon

Rules in Case of Fire Remain calm; do not panic RACE R: rescue anyone in immediate danger A: activate the alarm C: confine the fire E: extinguish the fire

Operating a Fire Extinguisher PASS P-Pull the pin A-Aim S- spray S-sweep

Preventing Fires Be alert to causes of fires Correct situations that lead to fires Obey “no smoking” signs Extinguish matches, cigarettes, and any flammable items completely Dispose of all waste materials in proper containers (continues)

Preventing Fires (continued) Handle electrical equipment carefully Store flammable materials in proper containers and in a safe area If flammable liquid spilled, clean up immediately Do not allow clutter to accumulate When oxygen is in use, observe special precautions (keep away from open flame)

Summary Health care workers are legally responsible for familiarizing themselves with disaster policies Preventing fires is everyone’s concern Be alert to causes of fires and take measures to prevent them Know policies to follow in case of fire

Demonstration of Proper Body Mechanics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq97LFOSbVI&feature=youtu.be

Usage of Gloves Gloves are a valuable safety tool for health care workers. Gloves protect from contact with body fluids There is a proper way to take gloves off to ensure that fluids do not come in contact with your skin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyLEd9cng5U&feature=youtu.be