Equipment
Patient/Resident Safety Regulations
- Do not perform any procedures on patients unless you have been instructed to do so and have proper authorization
- Provide privacy for ALL patients
- Knock on door before entering any room
- Speak or call out to a patient before going behind closed privacy curtains
- Close the door and/or draw curtains for privacy before beginning a procedure on a patient
- Observe your patient closely during any procedure
- If you notice any change, report it immediately
- Be alert to patient's condition at all times
- Check the patients area, waiting room, office rooms, bed areas, or home environment for safety hazards
- Report all unsafe situations immediately
- Correct a safety hazard as soon as possible
Equipment cont...
- Do not operate or use any equipment until you have been instructed on how to use it
- Read and follow the operating instructions for all major pieces of equipment
- Report any damaged or malfunctioning equipment immediately and make no attempt to use it
- Do not use frayed or damaged electrical cords
- Do not use a plug if third prong has been broken off
- Third prong is used for grounding
- Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) before using any hazardous chemical solutions
- Never use solutions from bottles that are not labeled
- Never use solutions from bottles that are not labeled
- Read the labels of solution bottles at least three times
- Read before using, during use, and after using
- Make sure you have the correct solution
- Do not mix any solutions together unless instructed to do so
- Some solutions can be poisonous or cause injury
- Avoid contact with your skin and eyes
- Use only as directed
- If you break any equipment or spill any solutions, report it immediately
Patient/Resident Safety Regulations cont...
- Identify your patient
- Be 100% positive you have the correct patient
- Methods of identifying
- Check ID wrist bands
- Repeat the name at least twice
- Check the name on the patient's bed or record
- Explain the procedure
- Let the patient know what you are doing
- Answer any questions
- Make sure you have the patient's consent
- Never do a procedure if the patient refuses
- Observe all safety checkpoints before leaving a patient or resident in bed
- Patient is positioned for comfort
- Side rails raised
- Bed is at lowest level to the floor
- Wheels on bed are locked
- Call signal within reach
- Open privacy curtains
- Leave area neat and clean
Health Science Safety
Observing Fire Safety
Classes of Fire Extinguishers
- Three things are needed to start a fire
- Oxygen: found in the air
- Fuel: any material that will burn
- Heat: sparks, matches, flames
- Rules in case of fire:
- Remain calm and do not panic
- If fire is small, confined to one area and personal safety is not endangered
- If endangered, evacuate area according to stated method and sound the alarm
- R--rescue anyone in immediate danger
- A--activate the alarm
- C--confine the fire
- E--extinguish the fire
- Class A
- Contains pressurized water
- Used on combustibles such as paper, cloth, and wood
- Class B
- Contains carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Used on gasoline, oil, paints, burning liquids, and cooking fats
- Smothering action
- Leaves a "snowlike" residue
- Class C
- Contains a dry chemical
- Potassium Bicarbonate
- Potassium Chloride
- Used on electrical fires
- Can be used on burning liquids
- Class ABC
- Contains graphite-type chemical
- Multipurpose extinguisher
- Leaves residue that is damaging to skin and eyes
Maria Knox, RN BSN
Ergonomics
- An applied science used to promote the safety and well being of a person by adapting the environment to prevent injury
- Prevention of accidents and injury centers around people and the immediate environment
- Healthcare workers must follow safety regulations
- must be conscious of personal and patient/resident safety
- Exercise care while handling equipment and solutions
- Must accept the responsibility for using good judgment in all situations
- Ask questions when in doubt
- Follow approved policies and procedures to create a safe environment
Personal Safety Regulations
Personal Safety Regulations cont...
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Standard
- Dry your hands thoroughly before handling any electrical equipment
- Wear safety glasses when instructed to do so and in any situations that may result in eye injury
- If any solution comes into contact with your skin or eyes
- Immediately flush the area with water
- Inform the instructor or immediate supervisor
- If a particle gets in your eye
- Inform the instructor or immediate supervisor
- Do not try to remove the particle or rub the eye
- Division of the Department of Labor
- Establishes and enforces safety standard for the workplace
- Two main standards that affect health care workers
- Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Standard
- Bloodbourne Pathogen Standard
- Use correct body mechanics while performing any procedure
- Use the weight of your body to help push or pull an object. Whenever possible push, slide, or pull.
- Correct body mechanics is needed to use the strongest muscles
- Feet should be 8-10 inches apart for the broadest base of support
- To get close to an object bend from the hips and knees
- Back braces can be loosened when not doing strenuous work
- Wear the required uniform
- Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your face, eyes, and mouth
- Requires that employers inform employees of all chemicals and hazards in the workplace
- All manufacturers must provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) with any hazardous products they sell
Bloodbourne Pathogen Standard
- Contains mandates to protect health care providers form diseases caused by exposure to body fluids
- Examples of body fluids
- Blood and blood components
- Semen and vaginal secretions
- Cerebral spinal fluid
- Saliva, mucus, and other similar fluids
- Two diseases that can be contracted by exposure to body fluids
- Hepatitis B; caused by the HBV or Hepatitis B virus
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by human immunodeficiency virus