Safety in Healthcare

1. Safety in Healthcare If you’re going to work in healthcare, maintain your own health. Be safe!

2. 2 big occupational hazards • Needle stick injuries • Back injuries

3. Needle sticks • 8 million healthcare workers in US • 600,000 to 800,000 needle stick or percutaneous injuries • Transmission risks • HIV • HBV • HCV

4. HIV • 1985-1999, 191 probable exposures- HIV transmission rate 0f 0.3% • HBV- transmission rate of 6-30% • 1983 17,000 cases of healthcare worker HBV • 1995 400 cases • Vaccination program has been incredibly successful

5. Back injuries • 46% of all injuries/illness among healthcare workers • 1.7 billion in claims • Indirect costs 4x above amount

6. One word- Ergonomics • Use proper body mechanics • Don’t bend at the waist • Use your large muscle groups • Broad base of support

7. Chemical solutions • OSHA requires all employers inform employees of all chemical hazards • MSDS- Material Safety Data Sheets

8. Equipment and solutions • Do not operate equipment you have not been trained on • Check chemical labels three times • Be aware of safety violations

9. Patient/Resident safety Identify your patient- number one -Use medical record number Fainting/falling Hazards in the immediate vicinity

10. Personal Safety • Use correct body mechanics • Wear appropriate clothing- especially shoes • Wash hands frequently • Wear personal protective gear

11. Fire • 3 types of fire extinguishers • Class A- water • Class B- flammable liquid • Class C –electrical; • ABC- for all

12. RACE • Rescue • Alarm • Contain • Extinguish

13. PASS • Pull the pin • Aim the nozzle at base of fire • Squeeze the handle] • Sweep from side to side

14. Disasters • Call in- your part of the disaster plan