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Unit 14. Environmental and Nursing Assistant Safety. Objectives. Spell and define terms. Describe the health care facility environment. Identify measures to promote environmental safety. Objectives. List situations when equipment must be repaired. Describe the elements required for fire.
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Unit 14 Environmental and Nursing Assistant Safety
Objectives • Spell and define terms. • Describe the health care facility environment. • Identify measures to promote environmental safety.
Objectives • List situations when equipment must be repaired. • Describe the elements required for fire. • List five measures to prevent fire. • Describe the procedure to follow if a fire occurs.
Objectives • Demonstrate the use of a fire extinguisher. • List techniques for using ergonomics on the job. • Demonstrate appropriate body mechanics.
Objectives • List at least 10 guidelines for dealing with a violent individual. • Describe the types of information contained in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Introduction • The hospital room is the patient’s home while he or she is hospitalized • Cheerful and pleasant surroundings give the patient a better sense of well-being
The Patient Environment • In a health care facility, the basic patient unit consists of a/an: • Hospital bed with rails • Bedside table and chair • Reading lamp • Waste basket • Overbed table • Signal cord
Hospital Beds • Hospital beds mostly have the same features • There may be some differences • Side railsare attached to the hospital bed • Protect patient from falling • Considered restraints in some cases
Temperature, Air Circulation, and Light • As you adjust and maintain the temperature, light, and ventilation • Keep in mind the patient’s condition • The patient’s personal preference • The needs of the other patients in the room
Cleanliness and Noise Reduction • You are responsible for the cleanliness, quiet, and order of the patient units to which you are assigned
Safety Measures • Safety is the responsibility of everyone • A safe environment is essential for both the patients and the staff • Safety must be part of everything you do
Environmental Safety Conditions • Incidents can be prevented by keeping hallways free of equipment and clutter • Keep equipment on one side of the hallway, leaving the other side free • Never block an exit door
Equipment and Its Care • Daily or concurrent cleaningof equipment is an important part of your job • It contributes to the safety of your patients
Fire Safety • It is a scientific fact that if three elements are present in the right proportions, there will be a fire • Heat, fuel, and oxygen • Refer to Figure 14-11
Fire Safety • Every staff member • Needs to know and regularly practice the fire and evacuation plans of the facility
Fire Hazards • Some possible fire hazards: • Frayed electrical wires • Overloaded circuits • Smoking where oxygen is being used • Others
Fire Prevention • You and every staff member can do a great deal to prevent the disaster of fire • Check for frayed electrical wires • Don’t allow clutter to accumulate in doorways or traffic lanes
Fire Prevention • You and every staff member can do a great deal to prevent the disaster of fire • Empty wastepaper baskets in the proper receptacles • Perform many other preventive actions to make the health care facility a fire-safe environment
Smoking • Smoking in bed should never be permitted • Smoking should be strictly limited to specific areas
Oxygen Precautions • The use of oxygen presents a specific hazard • When oxygen is in use: • You should make sure the environment is safe
In Case of Fire • You must be familiar with the fire policies and procedures of your facility • In case of fire, stay calm
RACE System • R = Remove patients from the area • A = Sound the alarm • C = Contain fire (close door) • E = Extinguish fire, if possible or • E = Evacuate, if fire cannot be extinguished (Refer to Figure 14-13)
Other Actions to Take • Close all the doors • Remove everything from the hallway and place it behind a door • Touch doors with the back of your hand before opening • If hot, do not open the door
Use of a Fire Extinguisher • Remember the letters PASS: • Pull the pin • Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire • Squeeze the handle • Sweep back and forth along the base of the fire
Other Emergencies • There may be other disasters for which you and your facility must be prepared • Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and bomb threats
Violence in the Workplace • Episodes of violence in the workplace are increasing in our society • Hospitals and other health care facilities are not exempt from violent incidents • Serious violence has occurred in both rural and urban communities
Nursing Assistant Safety • Work performed by nursing assistants requires a great deal of lifting and moving • It is important that you use your body correctly to avoid injury
Ergonomics • Adapting the environment and using techniques and equipment to prevent injury to the body
Hazards in the Work Environment • All health care facilities have hazards that can potentially cause injury to employees • Many of these hazards are chemicals that you may have in your own home • Be aware of these and other hazards to guarantee a safe environment
