Environmental Safety in Healthcare: Hazards and Guidelines

1. Chapter 11 Environmental Safety

2. Environmental Safety • Identify and correct potential hazards • Health care workers must understand and follow policies and procedures • OSHA

3. Health Care Hazards • Chemical • Environmental • Ergonomic • Infectious • Physical • Psychosocial • Workplace violence

4. Question • Inadequate equipment maintenance is what type of hazard? • Chemical • Infectious • Environmental

5. Answer • C. Environmental • Environmental hazards • Unsafe conditions in workplace • E.g., inadequate maintenance of equipment

6. Answer • C. Environmental • Chemical hazards • May have toxic effects through inhalation, absorption, ingestion, or skin contact • Infectious hazards • May cause infection

7. Safety Guidelines • Focus on prevention • Move safely • Dress for safety • Work safely with patients • Protect self and others • Report for safety

8. Increased Risk with Physical and Mental Changes • Changes in vision • Changes in hearing • Altered neurological function • Changes in blood vessels (continued)

9. Increased Risk with Physical and Mental Changes • Slowed reflexes • Changes in mental function • Weakness from illness or injury • Taking of medications

10. Question • Which of the following is the best approach when asked to perform a procedure on a patient that you are not trained to do? • Do the best you can • Have someone explain it to you • Do not agree to do it

11. Answer • C. Do not agree to do it • Do not perform any procedure on patients until having received adequate training

12. Workplace Violence • Health care professional risk • Offensive or threatening language • Psychological trauma • Actual injuries • Homicide • Can result in negative organizational outcomes

13. Question • A patient is very upset about the care she received. She begins to escalate in volume and curse at you. What should you do? • Take her to a private area to avoid disturbing others • Acknowledge her feelings • Tell her to calm down, or you will call security

14. Answer • B. Acknowledge her feelings • When confronted with angry patients, acknowledge feelings and avoid getting defensive or matching hostility

15. Answer • B. Acknowledge her feelings • Avoid isolating yourself with potentially violent people by taking them to a private location • Avoid giving orders and threatening them with security

16. Prevent or Decrease Violence • Environmental designs • Administrative controls • Behavior modification

17. Fire and Electrical Hazards • Fire requires oxygen, item that will burn, and source of heat • Know location of fire alarms and extinguishers • Know emergency evacuation routes

18. Fire Triangle

19. Fire Procedures • RACE • Remove patients • Activate alarm • Contain the fire • Extinguish the fire or Evacuate the area

20. Fire Extinguisher Usage • PASS • Pull the pin • Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire • Squeeze the handle • Sweep back and forth along the base of the fire

21. Four Types of Fires • Class A • Ordinary combustibles • Class B • Flammable and combustible liquids (continued)

22. Four Types of Fires • Class C • Electrical fires • Class D • Burning metals

23. Question • True or False: • RACE is an acronym for putting out a fire with a fire extinguisher.

24. Answer • False • PASS • Acronym for putting out fire with fire extinguisher • RACE • Acronym for what to do when you discover fire

25. Chemical Hazards • Numerous chemicals used in health care • Labeling and compatibility • Avoid contact • Wear PPE • Follow material safety data sheet (MSDS) • Clean up and treatment

26. Radiation Hazards • X-rays and radiation therapy • Monitoring radiation exposure • Safety guidelines • Disposal of radioactive waste

27. Infectious Waste • Any item or product with potential to transmit disease • Follow policies and procedures • Report accidental exposures

28. Oxygen Precautions • Post sign “Oxygen in Use” • Avoid all sources for sparks • Never use flammable liquids • Secure oxygen tank • Do not smoke • Do not use wool or synthetics

29. Question • Which of the following is the best first step if a chemical comes in contact with the skin? • Rinse under cool water for at least 5 minutes • Immediately go to the emergency department • Cover the area with antibiotic ointment and dressing

30. Answer • A. Rinse under cool water for at least 5 minutes • First step to take when chemical comes in contact with skin: • Immediately rinse under cool water for at least 5 minutes

31. Bioterrorism • Extends back in history to earliest human records • Biological exposure readiness plan (continued)

32. Bioterrorism • Most likely weapons: • Anthrax • Smallpox • Botulism • Plague

33. Emergency Code System • Communication method for employees • Prevents patients and visitors from becoming overly concerned

34. Emergency Preparedness Plan • Follow OSHA requirements • Follow policies and procedures • Remain calm

35. Triage System • Guidelines to assess patients’ conditions • Determine where they should be sent • Determine what treatment they should receive • Used during disasters • Used daily in emergency departments