Patient and Employee

Safety
Marianas
Health Service

Safety

Freedom from danger,

risks, and injury.
Quality health care begins
with the safety of the
patient and the health care
worker.
You must know how to
respond if an emergency
occurs.

SAFETY FIRST!

Safety
QUESTIONS:
What

are some personal safety practices

that you do everyday?

That

looks like an accident waiting to

happen.

Causes of common accidents can be prevented.

Prevention

The best way to control

accidents and injuries is to
prevent them.
Regular safety training is
required of health care
workers.
Report unsafe practices to a
charge nurse or supervisor.
Learn how to modify your
environment to create safe
working conditions.

Governing Agencies
Occupational

Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA)

Oversees safety in the workplace.

Centers

for Disease Control & Prevention

(CDC)

Set standards for accidental transmission of

diseases.

Food

and Drug Administration (FDA)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

OSHA Standards

Employees have the right to know what hazards are

present in their environment.
Employers are required to train and offer
immunizations to high-risk employees in the first 10
days of a new job.
Health care agencies and facilities must address:

Ergonomic program
Injury & illness program
Hazard communication program
Exposure control plan

Material Safety Data Sheets

Required by OSHA all

employees must be told
about all hazards and
chemicals in the workplace.
Manufacturers are required
to provide a copy of the
MSDS for all products they
sell.
Formats are not standard,
however the information
that must be covered in an
MSDS are standard.

Material Safety Data Sheets

The

MSDS should contain:

Manufacturers name and address.

Chemical information & formula.
Physical appearance and how to recognize it.
Health hazards.
Fire and explosion data.
Reactivity level (stability, decomposition).
Personal protective equipment (PPE) required
when handling the chemical.
Leak/spill disposal procedures.
Hazard rating for the chemical.

Material Safety Data Sheets

Health hazard information

Methods

of exposure.

First

aid.
Personal protective equipment required.

Occupational control measures

Exposure

limits.

Storage & special information

Hazard rating for the chemical

0 = no hazard
4 = extreme hazard

Material Safety Data Sheets

Labels

All chemicals must be properly labeled.

If a label is not readable or is missing, it must be
replaced or the chemical disposed of.
Must include chemical name, hazard warning, and
manufacturers information.

Failure

to comply can result in large

fines for health care institutions.

Waste Handling
Huge

fines are also given for improper medical

waste disposal.

Sharp instruments
Must

be disposed of in sharps containers,

securely affixed to a wall or counter to avoid
tipping.
Containers cannot be emptied & re-used.

Biohazardous materials
Red

bag with biohazard label.

Waste Handling

Chemotherapy wastes
Yellow

bag with chemotherapy label.

Radioactive wastes
Handled

only by nuclear medicine or by

radiological health.

Chemical wastes
Bagged

with clearly identifiable label as to the

material contained.

Spill Response

The general spill response is to:

1.
2.
3.

Isolate the area to prevent personnel exposure

and spreading of material.
Notify supervisor and other appropriate
departments.
Utilize Body Substance Precautions when
cleaning up blood or other potentially infectious
materials.

Preventing Accidents
All

members of the health care team must

commit to safety.
Every accident/injury must be documented and
reviewed to help prevent future accidents.
Poor judgment, physical limitation, and lack of
training are a few of the causes of accidents.
Education is the key to a safe facility.

Preventing Accidents
Accidents

can be divided up in to two

main categories:

Accidents related to the physical

environment and equipment.
Accidents related to patient care.

Preventing Accidents
Guidelines

for preventing
and reacting to accidents
and emergencies:

Know the environment,

including the location of
exits, stairs, fire alarms and
extinguishers, call signals,
paging systems, and
emergency lights.

Preventing Accidents

Know the safety policies and procedures for

your facility.
Operate only the equipment you are trained to
use.
Report accidents, spills, and damaged or
malfunctioning equipment immediately.
Do not use frayed or damaged electrical cords
or ungrounded equipment.
Wash your hands frequently.

Preventing Accidents

Never use any product that does not have a

readable label.
Read all labels at least three times before
using the product.
Read the MSDS for any product you will be
using.
Wear personal protective equipment when
handling hazardous or unknown chemicals.
Never mix solutions or chemicals.

Preventing Accidents

Know how to report an accident or obtain

emergency assistance.
Use the right side of the hallway and stop at
intersections.
Allow others to exit before you enter
stairways, doorways, or elevators.
Wipe up spills and place litter in containers.
Report any injury to yourself or others to
your supervisor immediately.

Preventing Accidents
Guidelines

for patient safety:

Ensure that the patient knows how to

operate call signals, emergency call
lights, handrails, safety rails, and how to
locate the bathroom.
Identify patient and explain a procedure
before beginning.
Perform only those procedures for
which you have been trained.

Preventing Accidents

Report safety hazards, such as spills,

loose carpet, or extremely hot food or
drinks.
Be aware of any changes in the
patient and report them to your
supervisor immediately.
Ensure the privacy, safety, and
comfort of your patient.

Fire Safety
Fires

are one of the dangers

most feared by health care
providers.
A fire or threat of fire can be
extremely frightening to
patients who may be unable
to leave a facility on their
own.

Fire Safety
Fire

can occur in any

setting when three
elements are
present.

Fuel: something that

will burn.
Heat: enough to
make the fuel burn.
Oxygen: to feed the
fire.

Types of Extinguishers
5

types are available, with ABC

being the most common.
Fire Extinguishers
Class

Application

A (Water)
B (Carbon Dioxide)
C (K bicarbonate)
D
ABC (Chemical)

Common combustibles
Flammable liquids
Electrical
Combustible metals
All ABC fires

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Remember

the key word PASS:

P = Pull the pin.

A = Aim at the base of the fire.
S = Squeeze handle.
S = Sweep nozzle from side to side to
displace oxygen away from the fire.

Stand

about 6-10 feet away from

the fire.

Putting Out Fires

If

your clothes are burning, immediately drop to

the ground and roll back and forth quickly.

Stop, drop, and roll.

Do

not use water for grease or electrical fires.

Use an ABC or C only fire extinguisher or throw
baking soda over the flames.

If

Shut off the main power supply for electrical fires.

the fire is small, you can try to put it out.

However, if the flames begin spreading,
evacuate immediately and call 911.

When a Fire Emergency Occurs

Remember

the key word RACE:

R = Rescue.
A = Alarm. Assign someone to
pull the alarm.
C = Contain. Close the windows
and doors.
E = Evacuate.

Emergency Fire Rules

Be prepared! Know your

responsibilities.
Know when and how to
evacuate.
Know where the fire alarms are
located and how to activate
them.
Keep fire extinguishers in plain
view and readily accessible.
Practice fire safety and safe
evacuation with patients and
staff.

3rd Floor Plan

Elevators

301

302

Conference
Room
303

Nurses
Station

Storage

Staff
Room

308

304

307

306

305

Emergency Fire Rules

Keep areas uncluttered.
Evacuate ambulatory patients first, then the wheelchair bound, then the bed-bound.
If possible, never leave a patient alone in a fire
emergency.
Never use an elevator in a fire situation.
Never open windows.
Never open a door that feels hot.
Follow your facilitys procedures when a fire is
discovered.

Rules for Oxygen Use

Post

a No Smoking Oxygen in Use sign.

Remove all smoking materials, candles,
lighters, and matches from the room.
Avoid the use of electrically operated
equipment whenever possible.
Do not use flammable liquids such as
alcohol, nail polish, and oils.
Avoid static electricity by using cotton
blankets, sheets, and gowns.

Disaster Preparedness
In

addition to fires, other types of disasters may

occur.
Examples include tornadoes, hurricanes,
earthquakes, floods, and bomb threats.
In any type of disaster:

Stay calm.
Follow the policy of the facility.
Provide for the safety of yourself and the
patients.

Disaster Preparedness

All health care facilities are required to have a disaster

plan.
You are legally responsible for knowing the plan and
responding when a disaster occurs.
Rules to remember when a disaster strikes:

Assess the situation, stay calm.

Be sure that you are not in danger.
Remove those who are in immediate danger, if it is safe
to do so.
Notify others of the emergency according to policy.
Use the stairs, not the elevator.

Body Mechanics
Positions

and movements used to

maintain proper posture and avoid
muscle and bone injuries.
Back injury is the number one injury
experienced by health care workers
while they are on the job.

Lift, transfer, or position patients.

Principles of Body Mechanics

Body

alignment
depends on the
correct positioning
of the head, back,
and limbs.

Principles of Body Mechanics

The

body performs better when it is in

alignment.
Preserve the natural curves of the back.
Proper standing position

Feet flat on floor, about 6-10 inches apart.

Back straight, knees flexed slightly.

Body Mechanics Failure

Causes

back problems
including acute strains,
sprains, disc strain and
bulge, disc herniation,
and fatigue.
Prevention is the best
cure for back pain.

Key Components of Body

Mechanics
Keep feet a shoulder-width apart wide base of
support.
Always use two hands to move someone or
something.
Face the direction in which you intend to move.
Never twist.
Avoid unnecessary reaching.
Keep your chin up and look straight ahead.
Keep your shoulders back.

Key Components of Body

Mechanics
(cont.)

Bend at the hips and knees.

Keep your back straight.
Keep the object you are lifting
close to your body.
Exhale when you are lifting or
exerting force.
Tighten your abdominal
muscles.
Lift with your legs, not your back.

Key Components of Body

Mechanics
(cont.)

Push, pull, or slide instead of lifting.

Pushing is the best technique for moving
something large.
Use the weight of your body to help you
push or pull.
Always ask for help whenever needed.
Tell the patient what you are going to do
and ask for the patients help.

Ergonomics
Promote

the safety and well-being of a

person by adapting the environment and
using techniques to prevent injuries.

Correct placement of furniture and

equipment.
Training in required muscle movements.
Efforts to avoid repetitive motions.
Awareness of the environment to prevent
injuries.

Ergonomics
You

spend a large portion of your day in the

work environment.
You should be comfortable, use good posture,
and learn exercises to prevent getting stiff and
sore.
Your chair, desk, and computer
must be adjusted to fit your
needs.

Standard Safety Precautions

Standard

precautions are appropriate for all

patients receiving care or service in a health
care environment, regardless of their
diagnosis.
These precautions provide protection from
contact with blood, mucous membranes,
non-intact skin, and all body fluids.

Standard Safety Precautions

Three

diseases that can be contracted

by exposure to body fluids include:
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
AIDS/HIV

Standard Safety Precautions

Personal

protective equipment

Gloves: wear when in contact with any body

fluids or non-intact skin; wear when you have a
rash, open sores, or chapped skin.
Nonpermeable gowns: wear during
procedures that are likely to expose you to any
body fluids.
Mask, protective eyewear, face shield: wear
when splashes or droplets are likely (i.e. patient
coughing continuously).

Patient Safety
When

you work directly with a patient you must

always identify the patient to avoid mistakes.
Ambulation devices must be structurally safe
and covered with rubber tips to prevent
slipping.
Transporting devices (wheelchairs and
gurneys) brakes should be locked except
when you are moving, secure straps or put up
side rails, never leave patients unattended.

Patient Safety
Postural

supports/restraints a physicians
order is required by law, only used when a
patients safety is in jeopardy. Check patients
frequently.
Side rails falls from beds are a common
cause of injury.

Always in place at night.

Small children, heavily medicated patients, and
confused or restless patients require side rails at all
times.

Patient Safety

Make sure you have the proper authorization to perform

any procedure on a patient.
Use correct and approved methods while performing any
procedure.
Provide privacy for all patients. Ask for permission to enter.
Always identify the patient. Also identify yourself.
Explain the procedure so the patient knows what you are
going to do informed consent.
Answer any questions.
Be alert to the patients condition at all times.
Observe all safety checkpoints before leaving.

Its Your Responsibility!

Every

health care worker must

accept the responsibility for using
good judgment in all situations,
asking questions when in doubt, and
following approved policies and
procedures to create a safe
environment.
The health care worker has a legal
responsibility to protect the patient
from harm and injury.

Questions:
If

a glass bottle of medicine falls on

the floor and breaks, what should you
do?
Why should yearly safety training be
conducted at a health care facility?
Which type of fire extinguisher is
most commonly used and why?