Objectives Discuss the assessment for environmental safety Identify physical and microbial hazards in the hospital environment, which interfere with patients’ safety Explain general preventive measures for safe environment for health team members and patient Using assessment, identify people at risk for safety dysfunction. Define Safety Safety means = Safe Definition:- Safety is the state of being “Safe” the condition of being protected from harm or other danger. *DEFINITION SAFETY AS A NURSE Safe environment reduces risk for illness and injury and reduces the cost of health care. Assessment of environmental safety The process of evaluating the potential risks and impacts of human activities or natural events on the environment, including air, water, soil, and ecosystems, to ensure they remain within acceptable limits to protect human health and the ecosystem’s integrity. This assessment typically includes: 1. Physical Hazards
2. Chemical Hazards
3. Biological Hazards
4. Fire Safety 5. Medical Equipment 1. Physical Hazards
Physical hazards are factors or conditions within the environments that
can harm your health. Such as slippery floors, uneven surfaces, loose wires etc. Types of physical hazards
High temperatu Noise Radiation Vibration Pressure Electricity re Physical hazards in the hospital environment:
1. Slippery Floors 2. Improperly Stored Equipment 3. Inadequate Lighting 1. Slippery Floors Spills, wet surfaces, or improperly maintained floors can lead to slips, trips, and falls, especially for patients with mobility issues or those recovering from surgery. 2. Improperly Stored Equipment:
Improperly stored equipment can lead to
various issues such as damage, deterioration, or safety hazards. It's essential to store equipment correctly to maintain its functionality, longevity, and safety standards. 3. Inadequate Lighting
Poor lighting in patient rooms, hallways,
or parking lots can increase the risk of accidents and falls, especially for elderly patients or those with visual impairments. 2. Chemical Hazards Assess the storage and handling of chemicals, including cleaning agents, disinfectants, and medications, to ensure they are properly labeled, stored, and disposed of according to safety regulations. Biological Hazards:
Evaluate the control measures in place to prevent
the spread of infectious diseases, including proper hand hygiene protocols, isolation procedures for contagious patients, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) . Microbial hazards : Microbiological hazard occurs when food becomes contaminated by microorganisms Found in the air, food, water soil, animals, and the human body. Types of Microbial hazards
Parasite Bacteria Yeasts Virus s Microbial hazards in hospital :
1. Improper Hand Hygiene
2. Contaminated Medical Equipments 3. Poor Environmental Cleaning 1. Improper Hand Hygiene Inadequate hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers can contribute to the transmission of infectious agents between patients, staff, and visitors. Contaminated Medical Equipments:
Improperly sterilized or inadequately cleaned medical equipment
can harmful microbes and contribute to the spread of infections. Poor Environmental Cleaning:
Ineffective cleaning and disinfection of patient rooms, equipment, and
common areas can allow microbial pathogens to persist and pose a risk to patients’ health.. General preventive measures General preventive measures for creating a safe environment for both health team members and patients include: 1. Effective Communication 2. Education and Training 3. Hand Hygiene 4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE 5. Environmental Cleaning Identifying Safety Risks: Why Assessment Matters Assessment helps find out what could go wrong and how bad it could be, so we can stop it before it happens. It’s like checking for bumps in the road before driving to avoid accidents. Summary
Safety is about identifying, assessing, and
minimizing potential dangers in order to keep people and environment safe. It involves recognizing hazards, evaluating and severity of accidents or incidents, and taking steps to reduce or eliminate those hazards
