Chapter 22 - Safety Flashcards
(33 cards)
1
Q
Safety
A
- Safety is a basic need and right.
- Clients and residents are at great risk for accidents and falls.
- Common sense and simple safety measures can prevent most accidents.
- You must protect patients and residents, visitors, yourself, and co-workers.
- The risk of falling increases with age.
- A history of falls increases the risk of falling again.
- Falls are the most common accidents
- Facilities and community care agencies try to create and maintain a safe environment
- Employer must provide training to staff to update knowledge about lifts, WHMIS, fire safety, smoking, and other related topics
2
Q
In a safe setting:
A
- A client has little risk of illness or injury.
- The client feels safe and secure physically and mentally
- The risk of infection, falls, burns, poisoning, and other injuries is low
- Temperature and noise levels are comfortable
- Smells are pleasant
- There is enough room and light to move about safely
- The client and the client’s property are safe from fire and intruders
- The client is not afraid
3
Q
Accident Risk Factors
A
- Impaired Awareness
> Unconscious, confused, disoriented – unable to
> recognize, react or respond to dangers. - Preoccupied, tired, under the influence of alcohol – affects reflexes, vision, balance, coordination
- Vision and hearing loss
- Impaired taste, smell and touch
- Impaired mobility
- Medication
- Age – young and old are at risk
Think About Safety Box : Risk Factors (p. 316)
4
Q
Causes and Risk Factors
A
- Most falls occur in patient and resident rooms and in bathrooms.
> Causes include:
- Poor lighting, cluttered floors, throw rugs, and out-of-
place furniture
- Wet and slippery floors, bathtubs, and showers
- Needing to use the bathroom, usually to urinate, is a
major
cause of falling.
> Most falls occur between 1800 and 2100
- They also are more likely to occur during shift changes.
Most falls occur in patient and resident rooms and in
bathrooms.
5
Q
Preventing Falls
A
- Risk of falls increase with age and illness
- Falls may result in death, serious injuries, or changes in the older person’s quality of life.
- May lead to dependency on others.
- Important to identify a client who is at risk for falls
> Think About Safety Box: Safety Measures to Prevent Falls
(p. 319)
6
Q
Restraints
A
- Any device, garment, barrier, furniture, or medication that limits or restricts freedom of movement or access to one’s body.
- Every effort is made to protect clients without resorting to the use of restraints.
- Restraints can cause emotional harm and serious physical injury.
- Restraints require a physician’s order and are rarely used
Support workers never decide if restraints are to be used. - Legal Issues:
> Threatening a client with applying a restraint is
considered an assault.
> Using a restraint on a client without doctor’s orders is
> considered a battery
> Unnecessary restraint is false imprisonment - Restraints:
> Are never used to discipline a client
> Are never used for staff convenience
> Require informed consent before applying
7
Q
Complications of Restraint Use
A
- Injuries occur as the client tries to get free of the restraint.
> Injuries occur from using the wrong restraint, applying it
wrong, or keeping it on too long.
> The most serious risk is death from strangulation.
> Restraints affect dignity and self-esteem.
> Depression, anger, and agitation are common.
> Embarrassment, humiliation, and mistrust are common.
8
Q
Restraint Safety Guidelines
A
- Restraints are used for as short a time as possible.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Apply restraints with enough help to protect the person and staff from injury.
- Observe the client at least every 15 minutes, or more often as required by the care plan.
- Remove or release the restraint, reposition the client, meet basic needs every 2 hours.
> Follow the care plan. - Report and record the following:
> The type of restraint applied
> The reason for the application
> Safety measures taken
> The time at which you applied the restraint
> The time at which you removed or released the restraint
> The client’s vital signs
> The care given when the restraint was removed - Report and record the following:
> Skin colour and condition
> Condition of the limbs
> The pulse felt in the restrained part
> Changes in the client’s behaviour
> Report at once any complaints of discomfort:
- a tight restraint;
- difficulty breathing
- pain,
- numbness
- tingling in the restrained part
9
Q
Types of restraints
A
- Physical Restraints
> Garments or devices to restrict movement of the whole
body or parts of the body
- Leather restraints are applied to the wrists and ankles.
- Wrist restraints (limb holders) limit arm movement.
- Hands are placed in mitt restraints.
- They prevent finger use.
- The belt restraint is used:
- When there is risk of injury from falls
- For positioning during medical treatment - Environmental Restraint
> Near the body but not directly attached to it
Confine the client to a specific place
Geriatric chairs or chairs with attached trays
Bed rails, locked rooms - Chemical Restraint
> Medications used only to control behaviour or movement
> Must not be used for discipline or staff convenience
10
Q
Bed Rails
A
- Supervisor or care plan directs when to raise the bed rails
> Confused, unconscious, sedated, or personal wish, may
have bed rails raised
> Bed rails can be a safety hazard – client feels trapped;
tries to climb over the rails
> The need for bed rails must be noted in client’s chart and
care plan
Check client frequently when bed rail raised
One rail may be left raised for assistance in bed
11
Q
Preventing Poisoning
A
- Common adult poisoning include eating or drink contaminated food / water and overdosing on medication
- Causes:
> Carelessness, confusion
> Difficulty reading medication labels
> Confusion or disorientation
> Some are suicide attempts
12
Q
What to Do if You Suspect Poisoning
A
- Suspect poisoning if:
> You find empty pill bottles, hazardous products lying around
> Client suddenly collapses, vomits, or has difficulty breathing - Contact emergency medical services (EMS) in your area
> Gather evidence of poisoning, remain with the client and stay calm
13
Q
Preventing Burns
A
- Burns can severely disfigure or disable a person
- Caused by:
> Dry heat – fire, stove heaters
> Moist heat – hot liquids, steam
> Chemicals – oven cleaner, drain cleaner
> Electricity – faulty equipment, live wires, lightning
> Radiation – sunlight
> Careless smoking, unattended cigarette butts
> Loose-fitting sleeves or clothing
14
Q
Burns
A
- Require emergency help when burns are
> On the head, face, neck, hands, feet, or genitals
> Are spread over a large area of the body
> The client is under the age of 2 or over 50, with pre-existing medical conditions - The size and depth of the burn also affect its severity
15
Q
First Aid for Burns
A
- Minor Burns
> Immediately cool the injured area to reduce pain,
swelling,
blistering and tissue damage – use cool water
> Cover burn with dry, clean cloth
> Do NOT apply oil, butter, salve, or ointments - Chemical burns
> Brush off any loose chemical powder
> Flush area with large amounts of cool water
> Seek medical assistance – activate EMS - Electrical burns
> Secure your own safety first
> Do not touch the person until power source has been
turned off – use an object
> Do not apply water – may increase the risk of shock - Heat source burns
> Roll the person in a blanket, coat, etc to stop the burning
process
> Remove burned clothing that is not sticking to the skin
> Cool the skin with cool water
> Keep burn covered
> Seek medical assistance
16
Q
Preventing Suffocation
A
- Breathing stops due to lack of oxygen – brain damage or death may occur
- Common causes:
> Choking
> Drowning
> Inhaling gas or smoke
> Strangulation
> Electrical shock
> Chewing and swallowing difficulties
17
Q
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
A
- Carbon monoxide (CO): also known as the “Silent Killer” – colourless, odourless, tasteless gas, produced by common household appliance or fireplaces
> Symptoms:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Fatigue
> Carbon monoxide detectors are strongly recommended for
each household
18
Q
Preventing Accidents With Equipment
A
- All equipment is unsafe if:
> Broken
> Not used correctly
> Not working properly
- Electrical items must work properly and be in good repair.
- Do not use or give damaged items to patients or residents.
> Think About Safety Box: Safety measures to Prevent Equipment Accidents (p. 333)
19
Q
Preventing Fires
A
- Major causes of fires:
> Unsafe smoking, cooking accidents, faulty electrical
equipment (wiring, heating equipment) - Fires and the use of oxygen:
> Oxygen widely used in facilities and home care
> Oxygen therapy – supplied through portable tanks, wall
outlets, or oxygen concentrators
> Oxygen supports combustion
- Think About Safety Box: Using Oxygen Equipment Properly
(p. 335)
20
Q
Fire Safety
A
- The entire health team must prevent fires and act quickly and responsibly during a fire.
- Three things are needed for a fire:
> A spark or flame
> A material that will burn
> Oxygen - Safety measures are needed where oxygen is used and stored.
- Agencies have no-smoking policies and smoke-free areas.
21
Q
What to do during a fire?
A
- Know where to find fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits
- Remember the word RACE:
> R is for rescue.
> A is for alarm.
> C is for confine.
> E is for extinguish. Or evacuate
- Clear equipment from all normal and emergency exits
- Do not use elevators if there is a fire
22
Q
Types of Fire Extinguishers
A
Three Types of Fires – ABC
Class A: Ash = material that burn paper or wood
Class B: Burn or Boil = material that can burn boils – oil grease
Class C: Current = material that have an electric current
23
Q
Using Fire Extinguishers
A
- To use a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS: P (pull the safety pin). A (aim low at the base). S (squeeze the handle). S (sweep from side to side).
- Agencies have evacuation policies and procedures
> Clients and residents closest to the fire are taken out first
24
Q
Identifying the Client
A
You must give the right care to the right client:
- An identification (ID) bracelet, photograph identification, or
room recognition may be used to identify clients
- To identify the client:
> Carefully compare identifying information on the
assignment sheet with that of the ID material
Use at least two identifiers. Follow employer policy.
Call the client by name when checking the ID bracelet.
Just calling the client by name is not enough.
-
25
Positioning of Call Bell
- Make sure it is within the client’s reach at all times
- Place the call bell on the client’s strong (unaffected) side
- Remind the client to use the call bell when help is needed
- Answer call bells promptly
- Leaving a client without a call bell can be regarded as negligence, emotional abuse
26
Creating a Safe Workplace
- Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation is designed to protect employees from injuries and accidents in the workplace.
> Your employer and supervisor must take every reasonable
precaution to protect your health and safety
27
Employer’s Responsibilities
- Have written policies that promote safety
- Train and educate employees about policies
- Create a health and safety committee to identify hazards and
investigate accident
- Respond to reports of workplace hazards
- Report all accidents
- Have all necessary equipment available
- Follow all safety policies and procedures
- Use recommended protective equipment
- Report all safety hazards and concerns
- Complete an incident or occurrence report
- Refuse unsafe work as long as your refusal would not endanger the client
28
Hazardous Substances
- Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) requires that health care employees understand the risks of hazardous substances and how to handle them safely
> A hazardous substance is any chemical that presents a physical hazard or health hazard in the work place
> Exposure occurs under normal working conditions
- Drugs used in cancer therapy
- Gases used to sterilize equipment
- Oxygen
- Disinfectants and cleaning solutions
- Mercury found in some thermometers and blood pressure devices
29
WHMIS
- WHMIS is a national system that provides safety information about hazardous materials
- 3 components of WHMIS:
> Labels
> Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
> Worker education
30
Labels
- WHMIS labels provide information for safe handling
- Supplier applies label; or employer applies if they make the product
```
- Warning labels include:
> product information
> supplier information
> hazard symbols
> risk factors
> precautionary statements first aid
> reference to the MSDS
```
31
Labelling
- Warning labels identify:
> Physical and health hazards
> Precaution measures
> What personal protective equipment to wear
> How to use the substance safely
> Storage and disposal information
- If a warning label is removed or damaged:
> Do not use the substance.
> Take the container to the nurse and explain the problem.
> Do not leave the container unattended.
> Figure 19-31: WHMIS Symbols (p. 344)
32
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- Every hazardous substance has an MSDS.
> Explains how to safely handle, use, store, and dispose of product, and first aid measures
> Employees must have ready access to MSDSs.
> Check the MSDS before:
> Using a hazardous substance
> Cleaning up a leak or spill
> Disposing of the substance
> Tell the supervisor about a leak or spill right away.
> Do not leave a leak or spill unattended.
- Your employer provides hazardous substance training – WHMIS education
33
Workplace Violence
- Workplace violence is any physical assault or threatening behaviour that occurs in a work setting.
> It includes psychological trauma, robbery, rape, kidnapping, beating, stabbing, shooting, and murder
- Workplace violence can occur in any place where an employee performs a work-related duty.
> It can be a permanent or temporary place.
- Home care workers (RNs, PNs, support workers) have personal security risk
- They work alone in an unknown, uncontrolled environment, often work early or late hours
- Clients, family members could act violently
> Think About Safety Box: Personal Safety Measures (p. 345)
