2.2 - Possible impacts of hazards on individuals receiving or providing care

List 7 impacts of hazards

1. Illness

2. Infection

3. Physical harm

4. Poor physical health

5. Poor mental health

6. Financial loss

7. Poor standard of care

Explain how hazard can cause illness with an example

If biological hazards are not dealt with, then diseases can be spread, leading to illnesses. A visitor attends a hospital with virus on their hands and passes food to the service user without washing their hands. Because of this the virus remains on the food causing the service user to be ill which could spread to the service users and providers within the ward, making them ill.

Explain how hazard can cause infection with an example

If bacteria gets into open cuts or wounds, infection can occur. A practice nurse at a GP surgery is dressing a service user’s wound. She forgets to wash her hand before dressing the wound and does not wear gloves or apron before changing the dressing. This means any bacteria she may have on her hands from touching dirty surfaces or equipment can be transmitted to the wound, causing an infection.

Explain how hazard can cause physical harm with an example

Broken bones from slips or trips, or damage to hearing from loud persistent noises. If a service provider at a residential care home has not received training on how to use a hoist correctly, they could damage their back or harm the service user as well.

Explain how hazard can cause poor physical health with an example

Can be caused by a variety of hazards including stress from poor working practices or issues from environmental hazards. A service provider working long hours without a break in a health care setting may find themselves stressed. This could lead to poor physical health such as high blood pressure, migraines or sleep issues

Explain how hazard can cause poor mental health with an example

The impact of worrying about hazards if they are not being dealt with like service users being very anxious about being moved if they know a service provider is not skilled. A service provider caring for service users with a dementia in a residential care home is constantly on alert because she knows the door lock is broken and there is no alarm system. This situation affects her mental health because she is worried a service user might get hurt and she might be blamed for it

Explain how hazard can cause financial loss

When service providers are off sick, the settings need to ensure someone is available to cover their work. This means extra salaries and sick pay will have to be paid. Service providers are not always paid full if they are off sick so they may suffer a financial loss. A setting might also find itself having to pay fro broken equipment or paying fines for breaching health and safety.

Give an example of hazard causing financial loss

An assistant working in an optician office hurt her back while incorrectly lifting a box. The optician had to pay other assistants to cover for her but did not pay the assistant her full sick pay. The assistant who was off sick had a financial loss

Explain how hazard can cause poor standard of care

Poor standard of care can be caused by lack of training or supervision of new practitioners or not enough staff available to provide the necessary care. This can cause insufficient care to be given to the service users and can lead to lots health issues

Give one example of hazard causing poor standard of care

A service user has soiled their bed with faeces and urine. They press the button to call for assistance which the service provider ignores because he is not aware of the health issues of the service user. The service user now have to lie in their discharge due to the poor standard of care