Safety and Infection Control / 08

Make sure to:

  • Handle hazardous and biohazardous materials.
  • Ensure equipment safety.
  • Practice ergonomics.

Injuries to staff, including nurses, in healthcare settings can be costly for both employers and employees. Employers might need to cover costs for substitute staff while also compensating the injured employee on sick leave or disability. On the other hand, employees/staff may face work cessation due to disability or prolonged absence. Furthermore, chronic conditions such as chronic back pain can result from injuries sustained in clinical settings.

This learning experience aims to educate learners on maintaining a safe staff environment. It focuses on the proper management of hazardous and biohazardous materials, ensuring equipment safety, and implementing ergonomics and correct body mechanics principles.

3.1 Hazardous and Biohazardous Materials

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials, including chemicals and radiation, are non-biologic substances that can cause harm to staff and their clients (Burke, 2023a). The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide their staff with access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). These sheets offer detailed information about such materials, including their names, associated risks, emergency procedures for exposure, and guidelines for handling, disposal, and storage of the specific products (Burke, 2023a).

Radiation

Burke (2023a) emphasizes that nurses must be aware of the dangers associated with radiation and take steps to mitigate them. Clients are exposed to external radiation during diagnostic procedures and treatments, such as chest X-ray or teletherapy aimed at reducing tumor size. On the other hand, internal radiation or brachytherapy involves placing radioactive material near the affected area, for instance, in body cavities like the lungs, cervix, or prostate known as intracavity radiation. It is crucial for staff members to protect themselves by adhering to policies and procedures designated to limit radiation exposure. This includes wearing protective gear like lead aprons, minimizing time spent near radioactive materials are, and maintaining as much distance as possible from these materials. Additional precautionary measures for nurses and other staff members when caring for clients with internal radiation are:

  • Placing clients in a private room.
  • Ensuring clients stay within their rooms.
  • Implementing bed rest until treatment completion.
    • For visitor safety, the following guidelines should be communicated:
    • Limit visiting time to under an hour.
    • Maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from the client. Restrict entry to pregnant women into the client’s room.

Biohazardous Materials

Biohazardous materials are biological waste that pose a risk to staff, and anyone exposed to them (Burke, 2023a). These include blood, body fluids, contaminated bed linens, and sharps (Burke, 2023a). Employees develop policies and procedures in accordance with local, state, and national regulations. Nurses are expected to follow these to minimize and prevent harm to staff and others (Burke, 2023a).

According to Burke (2023a), nurses, in collaboration with administration and engineers, can contribute to creating a safe environment by participating in the following safety strategies:

  • Use:
    • A needleless system, if available.
    • Personal protective equipment appropriately.
    • Supplies and equipment dedicated to individual clients such as blood pressure cuffs.
    • Red bags and containers for disposing of biohazardous materials/waste.
  • Adhere to:
    • Proper handwashing techniques.
    • Standard precautions policies.
    • Sharps disposal policies in healthcare settings and clients’ homes.
  • Educate clients in the community about:
    • Contacting their waste disposal company for safe disposal of used needles at home.
    • Locations for disposing of used needles, such as fire station, health department, pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare provider offices.
    • The North American Syringe Exchange Network at 253-272-4857 for exchanging used needles for new ones at no cost.
    • Mail-in collection centers for used sharps, using designated containers; note that a fee is charged for this service.

3.2 Equipment Safety

Photo representing a nurse demonstrating knowledge of equipment and preparing for client procedureNurses should ensure the safe use of equipment by themselves and their staff in all healthcare settings. This involves education about equipment, verifying proficiency in their safe use, regular inspections, and addressing unsafe equipment (Burke, 2023b).

Education about Equipment: Nurses and staff should undergo training on the purpose, function, and safe usage of each piece of equipment. Nurses can contribute to workgroups that develop related policies and procedures. These procedures should include record-keeping details such as the names of trained individuals, their signatures verifying training, dates of training, training frequency, and scheduled dates for future training. Nurses and staff should be encouraged to seek additional training if they are unsure about the safe operation of any equipment, especially those used infrequently (Burke, 2023b).

Inspection Guidelines: Equipment must be inspected before each use in adherence with relevant policies, procedures, and checklists. This includes checking the integrity of cords, looking for missing or insecure parts, noting the date and time of the last service or preventive maintenance, and recording the signature of the person conducting the inspection (Burke, 2023b).

Addressing Equipment Problems: After inspections, verify that the equipment is functioning properly. Follow the facility’s protocol for malfunctioning equipment, which typically includes removing it from service and sending it to the appropriate department, such as bioengineering, for repair (Burke, 2023b).

Policy for Personal Equipment: Nurses must be familiar with their facility’s policy regarding personal equipment brought by clients or their visitors, such as electric razors, radios, or televisions (Burke, 2023b). While some facilities may prohibit the use of these items, others may require inspection by a designated department, such as the maintenance department, to determine their safe usage in the healthcare facility (Burke, 2023b).

3.3 Ergonomics

Photo representing a nurse using proper body mechanics while assisting a clientErgonomics is the scientific discipline focused on individual wellness within their environment (Burke, 2023c). With the increased use of advanced technology in healthcare facilities, nurses often find themselves sitting for extended periods and frequently using computers and other electronic devices. To maintain spinal and wrist health, nurses can use ergonomically designed chairs and mouse pads (Burke, 2023c).

Burke (2023c) advises nurses to adhere to the following ergonomic and body mechanic principles, both in clinical settings and elsewhere, for safety:

  • Stretch and warm up muscles before lifting or transferring a client or equipment.
  • Plan the lifting or transfer process beforehand.
  • Inform clients about the upcoming procedure and how they can assist during their transfer or lift.
  • During the lift or transfer:
    • Position yourself as close as possible to the client or equipment.
    • Keep feet apart to establish a stable base of support.
    • Ensure a firm grip on the client or equipment.
    • Avoid twisting your entire spine.
    • Use strong, larger muscles rather than relying on back muscles.
    • Stay in front of the client or equipment being moved.
    • Avoid jerky, fast, or rough movements.

Burke (2023c) emphasizes the importance of preventing injuries related to continuous stress on body parts such as the shoulders, neck, elbows, wrists, hands, and fingers. This can be achieved by:

  • Taking breaks during long duration, intense activities.
  • Maintaining proper posture and body alignment.
  • Reducing stress.
  • Avoiding extremes temperatures.

It is important for nurses to stay informed about their healthcare facility’s policies and procedures, and to participate in ongoing education courses and training to ensure adherence to facility standards.

Upon concluding this learning experience, learners will develop a comprehensive understanding of staff safety concerning hazardous and biohazardous materials, equipment safety, and ergonomic principles.

The provided resources will equip learners with the skills necessary to enhance staff safety in their healthcare facilities. The main goals are to achieve success in both the NCLEX examination and the workplace.

After reviewing the resources, learners should identify areas for improvements and concentrate on addressing them.

  • Burke, A. (2023a, August 17). Handling Hazardous and Infectious Materials: NCLEX-RN. https://www.registerednursing.org/nclex/handling-hazardous-infectious-materials/
  • Burke, A. (2023b, August 10). Safe Use of Equipment: NCLEX-RN. https://www.registerednursing.org/nclex/safe-use-equipment/
  • Burke, A. (2023c, October 8). Ergonomic Principles: NCLEX-RN. https://www.registerednursing.org/nclex/ergonomic-principles/

The following links do not belong to Tecmilenio University, when accessing to them, you must accept their terms and conditions.

Readings

Videos