Safety and Injury Prevention

1. Safety and Injury Prevention Providence Health System - Oregon Environment of Care

2. Purpose All seven areas of the EOC (Environment of Care) focus around safe work practices. The overall purpose is to ensure the safety of employees, patients, and visitors. You need to: • Follow safe work practices • Report any unsafe conditions

3. Course Outline This course will review: • Providence Safety Policies/Procedures • How to report unsafe conditions • Providence safety committees • Latex reduction • Employee Health’s Injured Worker Hotline Number • Accident Investigation • How to prevent work place injuries • Proper methods for handling compressed gases

4. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: • Identify the different safety committees in hospitals. • Know who to contact for help. • List 3 symptoms of latex allergies. • Know Employee Health’s Injured Worker Hotline Number. • Identify several types of patient lifts used in the Providence Portland area. • List 4 hazard categories of gas cylinders. • List 3 safety systems to ensure proper selection of gases.

5. Hospital Safety Committees There are 5 different Safety Committees for hospitals: • Facility Safety Committee • Employee Safety Review Committee • Patient Safety Committee • Radiation Safety Committee • Laser Advisory Safety Committee The Safety Committees active in the Satellites are Department- or Building-based employee safety committees. Regular Department Meetings must include Safety.

6. Facility Safety Committee The Facility Safety Committee oversees the entire hospital safety program: • Committees meet monthly • Members are from multidisciplinary departments • Major safety issues are addressed • Committees report to leadership on performance issues Satellite Safety Committees function in a similar fashion, with the focus being the entire department of building.

7. Employee Safety Review Committee (ESRC) The Hospital’s Employee Safety Review Committee consists of a team of well-trained Department Safety Coordinators. Co-workers can identify them by a special Providence pin acknowledging their dedicated service and training. Their role is to: • Help support co-workers and department managers in safety issues • Meet monthly for specialized training and to address employee concerns as a team • Assist in Safety / Hazard Surveillance Rounds

8. General Safety Principles Your role in safety starts with basic work habits: • Focus on what you are doing • Follow policies and procedures • Get help when needed • Report concerns / accidents quickly • Participate in all drills and training opportunities

9. How to report an Employee Safety Concern If you see an unsafe situation, behavior, or have a patient safety concern it is your responsibility to: • Fix it yourself, if possible i.e. move a piece of equipment that could be blocking an emergency exit). • Discuss the issue with your supervisor or complete an Employee Safety Concern Form and turn it into your Safety Coordinator or Facility Safety Manager. • Follow up with your Safety Coordinator or Facility Safety Manager if you do not receive any feedback regarding your concern. • Safety Concern forms are available on the intranet, key link “Safety” or hard copies in your department. If you are not satisfied with the response you may also contact JCAHO or other external regulatory agencies, e.g. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, etc. There are no repercussions or disciplinary action for reporting concerns

10. General Safety: Allergens Avoid use of perfume, colognes, or after shaves. Some fragrances can produce allergic reactions in people that are sensitive to flowers. Follow Human Resources’ Appearance Guidelines Policy: • “Appearance is neat, well groomed and free of odor” • “Strong scents and fragrances” are “Unacceptable”

11. Latex Latex is a health risk for some people. Symptoms of latex allergy include: • Skin rash or hives • Body swelling • Difficulty breathing To protect patients, visitors and staff, Providence hospitals are “latex-reduced” environments. Every department must avoid using products containing latex: • Latex balloons are not permitted • Use non-latex gloves

12. Common Causes of Accidents Common causes of accidents include: • Bloodborne Pathogens • Needle sticks • Eye splashes • Ergonomic • Overexertion • Repetitive motion You can prevent many of these injuries.

13. Employee Health’s Injured Worker Hotline 503-216-3200 Call Employee Health’s Injured Worker Hotline (63200): • If you are injured. • If you almost had an injury. Employee Health wants to learn about situations to prevent future injuries to co-workers. • You are expected to notify both the Hotline and your supervisor. This line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by either Employee Health or Prov RN. They will triage your injury.

14. Accident Investigations Accident Investigations must be completed on any accident that: • May be a bloodbourne exposure • Results in “light duty” • Requires treatment by a physician Only trained persons should perform investigations. Investigations need to be completed within 30 days of the date the accident is reported.

15. Patient Lifts Patient Lifts are available in Hospitals. • Arjo Tempo • Sling Lift • Arjo Sara • Standing and raising aid • Arjo Encore • Standing and raising aid • Arjo Stedy • Small standing and raising aid • Carry to bathroom Key Point: Use of Patient Lifts reducesstaff injuries.

16. Safe Handling Techniques for Moving Things Follow these guidelines: • Think through any lift before you do it. • Keep the load close to your body. • Keep the load balanced. • Maintain an upright posture throughout the lift / carry. • Watch out for pinch points, such as doorways. • Get help with heavy or awkward loads. • Move your feet, don’t twist your spine. • Face the way you will be moving.

17. Safe Handling of Compressed Gases Know how to properly transport cylinders. • Use only approved carts or stands. • Use protective caps for large cylinders. • Do NOT drop, drag, roll, or bang cylinders. • Never carry cylinders: • By the yoke • By the valve stem • On your shoulder.

18. Hazards in Handling of Compressed Gases Hazards in handling and storing cylinders are divided into four categories: • Fire: Some cylinders contain flammable gases. Others, like oxygen, support a fire. • Missile: Mishandling can separate the valve stem from the cylinder. The cylinder becomes a torpedo. • Incorrect Usage: Human error can result in incorrect labeling, installation, or user errors. • Chemical Reaction: Results of mixing gases.

19. Safe Storage of Compressed Gases Proper storage of cylinders is essential. • Store only in designated areas • Never place and leave on the floor • Store empty cylinders separately from full cylinders • Complete the proper preparation: • Secure with with chains, stands, brackets, or in a rack • Remove all regulators before storage • Store large cylinders with caps on.

20. For More Information For more information, refer to your Department Emergency Manual (Flip Chart) or talk with your Department Safety Coordinator, Facility Manager. Or PSA Safety Director Check the Safety WebPages on the Intranet for: • Environment of Care (EOC) Manuals • Contact information for your Safety Managers Use this Intranet link: http://phsnet.phsor.org/safety/