hazard/safety terms Flashcards
Hazard
Something that presents a danger or risk of injury
Hazardous material
A substance that has the potential to cause harm
Biohazard
A biological substance, such as blood or another bodily fluid, that has the potential to transmit disease
Carcinogen
A substance known to cause cancer
Other potentially infective materials (OPIMs)
A category of possible biohazards other than blood, including tissues and bodily fluids, such as semen, vaginal secretions and spinal fluid, that have been defined by OHSA
Accident
Any unplanned occurrence that has potentially negative consequences
Infectious disease
An illness caused by an infectious particle that can be transmitted from person to person
Healthcare-associated infection
An infection that a patient acquires while being treated at a healthcare facility for a different ailment
Side effect
An unintended, often problematic outcome for a treatment
Adverse effect
An unintended harmful effect of a medical treatment
Laboratory medicine
The analysis of samples, such as bodily fluids, tissues or chemicals, for diagnostic or research purposes
Drug
A substance used to treat a symptom (complaint) or to treat/prevent a disease
Sharps
Medical equipment, such as needles or scalpels, that can puncture or cut healthcare workers; used sharps may transmit biohazards.
Sharps container
A rigid, well-labeled plastic container designed to safely hold sharp objects for disposal.
CT scan
A computed tomography scan; a scan that uses X-rays to create 2-D and 3-D images of parts of the body.
Radiation
A form of energy characterized by the passage of particles or waves through a medium (e.g. light, heat, radio waves and X-rays)
X-ray
A form of electromagnetic radiation that can be used for medical imaging and therapeutic purposes.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA)
A division of the US Department of Labor whose mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions.
Material safety data sheet (MSDS)
A document that provides information on the hazards, handling procedures and safe disposal of a chemical.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
A category of clothing that protects the wearer from coming into contact with infectious material.
Safety procedure
A series of steps put into place to prevent accidents
Standard precautions
A set of practices used to help prevent the transmission of infections, including assuming that everyone is potentially infectious, wearing PPE and disposing of sharps properly.
