Chapter 22 - Safety Flashcards
1
Q
Safety
A
- Safety is a basic need and right.
- Clients and residents are at great risk for accidents and falls.
- Common sense and simple safety measures can prevent most accidents.
- You must protect patients and residents, visitors, yourself, and co-workers.
- The risk of falling increases with age.
- A history of falls increases the risk of falling again.
- Falls are the most common accidents
- Facilities and community care agencies try to create and maintain a safe environment
- Employer must provide training to staff to update knowledge about lifts, WHMIS, fire safety, smoking, and other related topics
2
Q
In a safe setting:
A
- A client has little risk of illness or injury.
- The client feels safe and secure physically and mentally
- The risk of infection, falls, burns, poisoning, and other injuries is low
- Temperature and noise levels are comfortable
- Smells are pleasant
- There is enough room and light to move about safely
- The client and the client’s property are safe from fire and intruders
- The client is not afraid
3
Q
Accident Risk Factors
A
- Impaired Awareness
> Unconscious, confused, disoriented – unable to
> recognize, react or respond to dangers. - Preoccupied, tired, under the influence of alcohol – affects reflexes, vision, balance, coordination
- Vision and hearing loss
- Impaired taste, smell and touch
- Impaired mobility
- Medication
- Age – young and old are at risk
Think About Safety Box : Risk Factors (p. 316)
4
Q
Causes and Risk Factors
A
- Most falls occur in patient and resident rooms and in bathrooms.
> Causes include:
- Poor lighting, cluttered floors, throw rugs, and out-of-
place furniture
- Wet and slippery floors, bathtubs, and showers
- Needing to use the bathroom, usually to urinate, is a
major
cause of falling.
> Most falls occur between 1800 and 2100
- They also are more likely to occur during shift changes.
Most falls occur in patient and resident rooms and in
bathrooms.
5
Q
Preventing Falls
A
- Risk of falls increase with age and illness
- Falls may result in death, serious injuries, or changes in the older person’s quality of life.
- May lead to dependency on others.
- Important to identify a client who is at risk for falls
> Think About Safety Box: Safety Measures to Prevent Falls
(p. 319)
6
Q
Restraints
A
- Any device, garment, barrier, furniture, or medication that limits or restricts freedom of movement or access to one’s body.
- Every effort is made to protect clients without resorting to the use of restraints.
- Restraints can cause emotional harm and serious physical injury.
- Restraints require a physician’s order and are rarely used
Support workers never decide if restraints are to be used. - Legal Issues:
> Threatening a client with applying a restraint is
considered an assault.
> Using a restraint on a client without doctor’s orders is
> considered a battery
> Unnecessary restraint is false imprisonment - Restraints:
> Are never used to discipline a client
> Are never used for staff convenience
> Require informed consent before applying
7
Q
Complications of Restraint Use
A
- Injuries occur as the client tries to get free of the restraint.
> Injuries occur from using the wrong restraint, applying it
wrong, or keeping it on too long.
> The most serious risk is death from strangulation.
> Restraints affect dignity and self-esteem.
> Depression, anger, and agitation are common.
> Embarrassment, humiliation, and mistrust are common.
8
Q
Restraint Safety Guidelines
A
- Restraints are used for as short a time as possible.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Apply restraints with enough help to protect the person and staff from injury.
- Observe the client at least every 15 minutes, or more often as required by the care plan.
- Remove or release the restraint, reposition the client, meet basic needs every 2 hours.
> Follow the care plan. - Report and record the following:
> The type of restraint applied
> The reason for the application
> Safety measures taken
> The time at which you applied the restraint
> The time at which you removed or released the restraint
> The client’s vital signs
> The care given when the restraint was removed - Report and record the following:
> Skin colour and condition
> Condition of the limbs
> The pulse felt in the restrained part
> Changes in the client’s behaviour
> Report at once any complaints of discomfort:
- a tight restraint;
- difficulty breathing
- pain,
- numbness
- tingling in the restrained part
9
Q
Types of restraints
A
- Physical Restraints
> Garments or devices to restrict movement of the whole
body or parts of the body
- Leather restraints are applied to the wrists and ankles.
- Wrist restraints (limb holders) limit arm movement.
- Hands are placed in mitt restraints.
- They prevent finger use.
- The belt restraint is used:
- When there is risk of injury from falls
- For positioning during medical treatment - Environmental Restraint
> Near the body but not directly attached to it
Confine the client to a specific place
Geriatric chairs or chairs with attached trays
Bed rails, locked rooms - Chemical Restraint
> Medications used only to control behaviour or movement
> Must not be used for discipline or staff convenience
10
Q
Bed Rails
A
- Supervisor or care plan directs when to raise the bed rails
> Confused, unconscious, sedated, or personal wish, may
have bed rails raised
> Bed rails can be a safety hazard – client feels trapped;
tries to climb over the rails
> The need for bed rails must be noted in client’s chart and
care plan
Check client frequently when bed rail raised
One rail may be left raised for assistance in bed
11
Q
Preventing Poisoning
A
- Common adult poisoning include eating or drink contaminated food / water and overdosing on medication
- Causes:
> Carelessness, confusion
> Difficulty reading medication labels
> Confusion or disorientation
> Some are suicide attempts
12
Q
What to Do if You Suspect Poisoning
A
- Suspect poisoning if:
> You find empty pill bottles, hazardous products lying around
> Client suddenly collapses, vomits, or has difficulty breathing - Contact emergency medical services (EMS) in your area
> Gather evidence of poisoning, remain with the client and stay calm
13
Q
Preventing Burns
A
- Burns can severely disfigure or disable a person
- Caused by:
> Dry heat – fire, stove heaters
> Moist heat – hot liquids, steam
> Chemicals – oven cleaner, drain cleaner
> Electricity – faulty equipment, live wires, lightning
> Radiation – sunlight
> Careless smoking, unattended cigarette butts
> Loose-fitting sleeves or clothing
14
Q
Burns
A
- Require emergency help when burns are
> On the head, face, neck, hands, feet, or genitals
> Are spread over a large area of the body
> The client is under the age of 2 or over 50, with pre-existing medical conditions - The size and depth of the burn also affect its severity
15
Q
First Aid for Burns
A
- Minor Burns
> Immediately cool the injured area to reduce pain,
swelling,
blistering and tissue damage – use cool water
> Cover burn with dry, clean cloth
> Do NOT apply oil, butter, salve, or ointments - Chemical burns
> Brush off any loose chemical powder
> Flush area with large amounts of cool water
> Seek medical assistance – activate EMS - Electrical burns
> Secure your own safety first
> Do not touch the person until power source has been
turned off – use an object
> Do not apply water – may increase the risk of shock - Heat source burns
> Roll the person in a blanket, coat, etc to stop the burning
process
> Remove burned clothing that is not sticking to the skin
> Cool the skin with cool water
> Keep burn covered
> Seek medical assistance
