chapter 12 Workplace safety Flashcards
alignment
Good posture the a in the ABCs of good body mechanics
balance
stability produced by the even distribution of weight the b in the ABCs of good body mechanics
body mechanics
the efficient and safe use the body
coordinated body movement
using the weight of the body to help with movement the C in the ABCs of good body mechanics
disaster
a sudden unexpected event causes injury to many people
major damage to property
or both
grounded
an adjectives used to describe electrical equipment that has a way of returning straight electrical current to the outlet
so that the risk of electric shock is reduced
post-procedure actions
steps that are routinely performed before each patient or resident care procedure called getting ready actions in this book
procedures
a series of steps followed in a particular order when providing care to a patient or resident that helps to ensure that the care provided is safe and correct
RACE fire response plan
the general actions that are taken in the event of a fire emergency remove to safety activate the alarm contain the fire extinguisher evacuate
safety data sheets
SDS A document that summarizes key information about a chemical such as its composition which exposures may be dangerous what to do if an exposure should occur and how to clean up spills
workplace violence
violent Acts including physical assault and threats of assault directed persons at work or on duty
Ergonomics
the practice of Designing equipment and work tasks to conform to the capability of the worker
What can stress the body
same action over and over again
Moving large awkward or heavy objects
What hazards does OSHA recognize in healthcare setting
exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious diseases
Hazardous chemicals
Unsafe walking surfaces
Threat of violence from combative patients residents and visitors
Physical demanding nature duties such as manual lifting and transferring and repositioning patients increases risk of injury
risk of injury for nursing assistants
Twice as likely to be injured on the job
what are MSDS
musculoskeletal disorders muscle strains and tears Ligament sprains Joint and tendon inflammation Pinched nerves Herniated discs in the spinal column
Ergonomics
And OSHA
OSHA’s guidelines focused on preventing MSD injuries
adjusting the work environment and how workers perform work-related practices so injuries are prevented
Work-related practices
1 Force, which is the amount of physical effort that is required to perform a task such as during heavy lifting for repositioning a patient
2 repetition, we’re the same motion or series emotions are performed continually or frequently
3 awkward postures, where person assumes positions that place stress on the body such as reaching above the shoulder height kneeling squatting leaning over bed or twisting the Torso while lifting
OSHA guidelines
1 ergonomics training
2 manual lifting minimized and eliminated when possible
what are the ABCs of good body mechanics
a equals alignment
B equals balance
C equals coordinated body movement
alignment
good posture
No excess strain placed on joints and muscles
Back neutral
Balance
stability produced by even distribution of weight
holding center of gravity close to your base of support
Standing= base of support is feet center of gravity is torso large is a face the more balanced
spread your feet further or Bended Knees so torso is closer to your feet
coordinated body movement
use weight of body to help with movement
use momentum
Strong muscles of the body to work do the work of lifting
Use your legs not your back to lift
What is the most common work-related injury in the nursing field
back injuries
Consequences
Painful costly
And career
Prevent you from participating in other activities
You may have to be cared for instead of being the one caring for
back support
use it properly
Improper prolonged use weakens back muscles
procedures
series of steps followed in a particular order
Steps or procedures May differ depending on where you work and what state you receive your training in
Always follow policies of the facility or the state where you work
pre procedures
promote efficiency safety courtesy and respect to the patient of the residents rights
Always begins with checking the patient for the residents care plan
The care plan will tell you the specifics about providing care for each individual person Uline care plans change sometimes frequentl
Weaver’s
pneumonic for getting ready
wash Equipment Announce Verify Explain Respect Safety
also wash and documents pneumonic for finishing up
alignment Light Safety Open Wash Document
finishing up / post-procedure actions
promote Comfort safety communication among members of the healthcare team
what are factors increasing chances of falling
moving too quickly Wet floors Objects in path Lighting Helping weak, unsteady or uncooperative people
how do you prevent Falls
move only as quickly as you can
If you see water fluids on the floor stop immediately and dry the area failure to do so puts you your patients residents visitors and co-workers have risk
Be aware of objects like electrical cords and Furniture
Night Lights are helpful in healthcare settings
Better to get someone to help you than go It Alone when transporting or transferring
what chemicals are at the facility
Cleaning Solutions disinfectant sterilizing agents chemotherapy drugs
Harmful if inhaled swallowed and absorbed through the skin splashed in the eyes
safety data sheets
Sheets saying what the chemical is how to protect themselves
Kept on file and be readily available for each unit in the healthcare facility
Renew the SDS every 3 years
Summarizes key information about the chemical what it’s made from what exposures may be dangerous what to do if there’s an exposure how to clean up spills
Container labels provide information about chemicals and container all containers must be clearly labeled your responsibility to know the chemicals
preventing electrical shock
know how to safely operate and maintain electrical equipment
Precautions such as grounding appliances and power strips
grounding is achieved through three prong plug or safety only with a ground fault breaker
don’t use extension cords
don’t have more than two items plugged into an outlet
look around the room at Radio televisions table lamps
look at electrically controlled hospital beds and call like controls
follow procedures to have items sent for repair
fire safety
fire to occur three elements must be present
fuel or something that burns heat
something to ignite the fuel and oxygen
common sources of fuel in healthcare setting
cloth such as bed linens mattresses and paper
Paper
substances that easily catch fire and burn quickly such as cooking oil nail polish remover
common sources of heat
electric Spark
smoking materials such as cigarettes cigars are matches
lighted candles
heating elements
oxygen
is everywhere
in healthcare facilities many patients receive oxygen therapy which increases the content of the oxygen in the air and the immediate area
small fires
Can sometimes be dealt with without people even knowing it happened
large-scale fire
aulty electrical wiring in the walls
Gas leak
Terrorist attack
equals large-scale evacuation
race fire response plan
remove any patients or residents were in immediate danger to safety
Escort people who can walk
Used wheelchairs for unsteady people
To prevent a confused or disoriented person from accidentally wandering back into the fire area a sign another alert patient or resident or visitor to attend to the first
Bedridden people move on their beds
If that’s can’t be moved cool to safety using Linens
ACE part of plan
Activate the alarm
Follow facilities policy for reporting a fire
contain the fire by closing doors and windows
extinguish the fire if possible
evacuate the building
extinguishing fires
move one of the three elements fuel heat or oxygen
Fires are classified as a type B type or C type
Fire extinguisher
most common type is a b c extinguisher used for all types of fires
Use carbon dioxide to remove the oxygen from the air new line Smothers the fire
All facilities must have easily accessible fire extinguisher you are responsible for knowing where it is
You’ll be trained and how to use it
p a s s
how to use the fire extinguisher Pull the safety pin out Aim the hose toward the base of the fire Squeeze the handle Spray the contents of the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire sweeping from side to side
evacuate the building
if large uncontrollable fire breaks out you’ll need to know how to get patients to safety
Disaster preparedness
any disasters a sudden unexpected event causes injury too many people major damage to property or both
can be caused by accident nature explosion accidents War terrorism
Acts of terrorism
use of explosives Use of Rapid Fire automatic guns Release of chemicals Radiation exposure Biological agents Agency will have disastrous preparedness plan that will direct the actions of the team in the event of an
workplace violence
can be large number of people at one time or one-on-one violence
National Institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH)
includes acts of terrorism
new guidelines are intended to advised employers of the risks of violent acts that may occur in specific types of work environments and how to train their employees to recognize and respond to these risks
48% of all non-fatal injuries in the workplace of current Healthcare and Social Service settings
NIOSH
national institute for Occupational Safety and Health
external sources of violence
robbers are muggers walking to the parking lot
internal parties inflict violence toward co-workers patients and residents
why is the risk of workplace violence so high for healthcare settings
people who are sick injured or disabled and their families may become very emotionally stressed which causes them
to seek Health Care Services patients are confused or agitated for medications medical conditions for dementia
factors that increase the risk of workplace violence in the healthcare setting
prevalence of handguns among patients families and friends
Increase use of hospitals for criminal holds and care of acutely disturbed
Number of acute and chronically mentally ill patients being released from hospitals with a follow-up care
Availability of drugs or money at hospitals clinics in pharmacies making them likely robbery Target’s
unrestricted movement of the Publican clinics and hospitals and long waits in emergency or clinical areas that lead to frustration
Prevalence of gang members drug or alcohol abusers trauma patients to stress family members
Low staff levels during times of increased activity such as meal plans visiting times and transportation
Isolated work with clients during examinations are treatments
Solo work often in remote locations with no backup a way to get assistance
Lack of Staff training in recognizing in managing escalating Hospital in the south of Behavior
Fully lit parking areas
