Safety Tutorial for Physical Therapist Aids

1. Safety TutorialforPhysical Therapist Aids Theresa Carr Utopia High School

2. Clean and organize work area Disinfect equipment after treatment Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment Transport patients to and from treatment areas Record treatment given and equipment used Perform clerical duties Maintain equipment and furniture to keep it in good working condition Training Tasks for Physical Therapist Aid

3. Pre-Test • Can assist in therapeutic massage? • Cannot secure patients into therapy equipment? • Allowed to disassemble equipment? • Fills out forms on patients? • Coordinates patients treatment?

4. Pre-Test Answers • Can assist in therapeutic massage? TRUE • Cannot secure patients into therapy equipment? FALSE • Allowed to disassemble equipment? TRUE • Fills out forms on patients? TRUE • Coordinates patients treatment? FALSE

5. Appropriate Clothes • Physical therapist aid uniform • Hair is to be worn away from the face and secured if necessary • White or black soft sole shoes

6. Safety Equipment • Medical gloves and face protection • Wheelchairs in proper working order • Chairs and tables sterilized and secured • Physical rehabilitation machines inspected

7. Tools • Massage instruments • Physical rehabilitation tools • Measuring tools for flexibility • Sanitizers • Tools to repair equipment

8. Equipment/Machinery • Massage equipment • Physical rehabilitation machines • Heat and cold therapy • Elastic physical therapy bands • Ultrasound machines • Wheelchairs • Tables

9. Electrical • Ultrasound • Message • Wheelchairs • Repair equipment • Computer system

10. Floors, Doors, Exits • Floors must be clean and sanitized • There cannot be things on the floor which would cause a patient to fall • Doors must be identified • Exits are clearly marked • Doorways and exits must be unobstructed

11. Chemical Hazards • Cleaning fluids • Sanitizers • Ultrasound gel • Massage creams

12. Ergonomic training will be provided Proper lifting of patients is required to prevent injury Knowledge of safe movement of equipment Ergonomic Hazards - Lifting

13. Infectious diseases • Gloves must be worn during ALL patient contact • Face masks are required if patient has an infectious disease • These patients are separated from others • Everything must be sterilized

14. Where are the fire extinguishers? At every entrance/exit In all separate physical therapy rooms Secured on the wall in the main therapy room In the hallways and restrooms All employees will participate in fire drills and will learn how to use extinguishers Fire

15. Robbery, Bomb Scares • In case of an emergency that threatens the patients and staff: • The staff will move patients to a previously identified “safe” site • Designated staff member calls 911 • Emergency care is delivered, if necessary

16. Angry/threatening Customers • Remain calm and non-threatening • Physical Therapist Aid will summon their supervisor • Make sure other patients are safe

17. HOW and to WHOM DO YOU REPORT AN INJURY • Secure immediate care from qualified staff member for injured patient • Report injury to supervisor • Fill out accident report

18. Lifting patients can cause injury? Fire procedures are not required? PT Aids must know how to disassemble equipment. Wearing high heel shoes is allowed. PT Aids should administer CPR to an accident victim. Exits must be clearly marked. All employees will participate in fire drills. Protective gloves are optional when handling patients. If a patient becomes upset, the PT Aid should summon their supervisor. In the event of a bomb scare, continue assigned job until the threat is over. Post Test

19. Lifting patients can cause injury? TRUE Fire procedures are not required? FALSE PT Aids must know how to disassemble equipment. TRUE Wearing high heel shoes is allowed. FALSE PT Aids should administer CPR to an accident victim. FALSE Exits must be clearly marked. TRUE All employees will participate in fire drills. TRUE Protective gloves are optional when handling patients. FALSE If a patient becomes upset, the PT Aid should summon their supervisor. TRUE In the event of a bomb scare, continue assigned job until the threat is over. FALSE Post Test Answers

20. Safety Web Resources • American Physical Therapy Association http://www.apta.org • New York Physical Therapy Association http://www.nypta.org • Journal of American Physical Therapy Association http://www.ptjournal.org • OHS Physical Therapy Safety Committee http://www.udel.edu/OHS/safetycomm/ptsc.html • http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100410