SAFETY Objectives: Essential Questions: Explain how muscles, bones, and joints work together to provide movement Identify the principles of body mechanics Evaluate potential safety hazards for the Health Care Worker and how to correct them Evaluate potential safety hazards for the patient and how to correct them. Recognize fire safety hazards and the meaning of the acronyms RACE and PASS Compare and contrast types of fire extinguishers. Assess fire prevention and safety practices according to facility protocol Propose an emergency action plan How does proper body movement protect both the Health Care Worker and the patient? Why do health care workers need to be aware of and practice safety standards? What is required to prevent or respond to a fire in a health care facility?

Freedom from harm or danger General Safety Freedom from harm or danger

How Accidents Happen Individual behavior frequently cause of accident: Poor judgment Failure to recognize potential danger Physical limitation Not tall or strong enough Not enough training or experience

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration Outlines required safety and health standards ALL employers must conform Any worker may contact about unsafe working conditions

General Safety Rules Walk Use handrails on stairway Never run Walk on right hand side of hallway Use handrails on stairway

General Safety Rules No horseplay Wipe up spills/pick up litter Report any unsafe conditions

Develop a Safety Attitude A way of thinking or feeling about a situation

Needle/Sharps Safety Risk of contracting Hepatitis B or HIV from body fluids and blood All sharps disposed of in sharps container A red puncture-resistant container Never recap or manually remove dirty needles

Needle/Sharps Safety Never carry sharps from one location to another Never pass sharps across a patient Report any incidences to supervisor

Chemical injuries Acid, base or other chemical substance Causes injury: Direct contact on skin Inhalation of fumes Most common type of chemical injury is a burn

Chemical injuries Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided on every chemical Info about chemical Indications & uses Hazards First aid

Chemical Guidelines Always wear gloves when using solutions Always read label on container at least 3 times Do not use if label is illegible or missing Always use in a well-ventilated area Immediately clean up spills

Equipment Guidelines Do not use any equipment until you have been properly trained Do not use damaged or malfunctioning equipment

Patient Safety

Patient Safety https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeldVu-3DpM The health care professional is responsible for patient safety Patients are partly helpless Equipment presents safety problems Hazards in environment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXQhVzemLck

Ambulation Devices Used to assist patients walking by giving additional support Examples: Canes Crutches Walkers Structurally sound Areas touching ground must be covered by rubber tips

Transportation devices Devices to transport patients to other areas for treatment or procedures Examples Gurney Wheelchairs

Safety Precautions for Transportation Devices Always lock brakes when moving patient on or off Secure straps or put side rails up

Side Rails Uses: aid in turning or moving patients to keep patient from falling aid in turning or moving patients

Side Rails Precautions Always use at night Always use with: small children, heavily medicated or confused patient, elderly patients If taken down during a procedure, must be up when leaving

Bathroom May be most hazardous area in patient’s room Use handrails/grab bars to avoid falls Use rubber mats to prevent slipping

Slips, Trips & Falls These things can be done to promote safety awareness in the workplace: Work with employer to identify, report, and correct unsafe conditions & behaviors Develop an awareness of potential hazards Organize a safety committee

Slip, Trips & Falls These things can be done to promote safe behaviors: Stay focused Take short breaks Get plenty of rest Manage stress Control drug and alcohol use

Slips, Trips & Falls These things can be done to identify and remedy unsafe conditions: Wet or uneven surfaces Clean up spills Fix/report problems Poor lighting Change bulbs Create more lighting Bad weather conditions Wear slip resistant shoes Report problem areas

Slips, Trips & Falls These things can be done to identify and remedy unsafe conditions: Wrong tools Use proper tools Poor housekeeping Keep floor clutter free Big loads Get help Being in a hurry Slow down, take smaller steps

Slips, Trips & Falls Slips, trips, and falls account for 20% of all nonfatal injuries. True Slips, trips, and falls rank third as causes of lost workdays. Leaving an office file drawer open can be dangerous. True-someone can trip over it Carrying big loads puts one at risk for slips, trips, or falls. Synthetic rubber soles (neoprene) are safe for most working surfaces. True-not on oily surfaces

Slips, Trips & Falls Standing on a ladder to reach something is safer than using a chair. True-can also use safety stool 7. Wearing the right shoes can help me prevent slips, trips, and falls. True-types depends on facility Walking in poorly lit areas increases risk for serious injury, especially on stairs. True Getting only a few hours of sleep each night does not put me at risk for slips, trips, and falls. False-rest helps you stay focused Reporting hazards is not my responsibility. False-it is everyone’s responsibility

The End for Now