safety in a vet hospital

OSHA

Occupational Safety & Health Administrations

OSHA established

1970

Workers have the right to be informed about their job’s workplace

HAZARDS & RISKS

REQUIRED BY LAW

Labor & Safety poster in EVERY workplace. (OSHA. Job safety &

Health act).  

WHY SAFETY MATTERS!!!!

. Protect staff, clients & animals

. Ensures compliance w/laws & regulations

. Prevents accidents & injuries

. Promotes a professional work environment

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheets

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment

Injury

Physical damage inflicted toone’s body (Ex. Dog bite, cat scratch, shock, needle prick)

Illness

Sickness (ACUTE: Sudden/CHRONIC: Ongoing)

Notify _____ if you are at risk of illness /injury (EX: Pregnancy, back injury, Allergic Rx. Or prescription medications)

Management

Emergency Preparedness:

• Fire safety and evacuation plans

• First aid kits and training

• Eye Wash station

• (10 minutes of rinsing)

• Spill response procedures

• Animal escape protocols

• Emergency contact information

Fire safety

.Fire safety PLAN!

. know the hazards of the workplace.

. have regular inspections-MANAGEMENT SCHEDULES.

. know the employee role regarding ANIMAL EVACUATION.

. Fire drills= at least ONCE a year

. Vertical Sprinkler Clearance=18 inch

Common Workplace Hazards:

. Animal bites/Scratches

. Chemical Exposure

. Needlestick Injuries

. Radiation Exposure

. Slips, Trips, Falls

. Zoonotic Disease

. Animal bites/Scratches

. Chemical Exposure

. Needlestick Injuries

. Radiation Exposure

. Slips, Trips, Falls

. Zoonotic Disease

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Gloves and protective clothing (Gowns)

• Masks and respirators

• Eye protection (Goggles)

• Lead aprons, gloves, thyroid shield & walls (radiology)

• Proper footwear (Closed & non slip soles)

• Ear Plugs: LAST RESORT

Safety in kneel

. Proper Lift technique=Bend at knees, Lift with LEGS- NOT YOUR BACK!!!

. Control the Head

. Approach SLOW (some animals are fearful/protective in a cage)

. Leash Dogs

. Towel Cats

. PERMANENT HEARING LOSS=84dB

. TEMPERARY HEARING LOSS: within 5 minutes (Ear Protection: LAST RESORT)

. Free of clutter

. Rinse eyes for 10 minutes at the eye wash station

Safe animal handling

• Proper restraint techniques

• Use of muzzles and safety equipment

• Training in animal behavior

• Having assistance when needed

• Minimizing animal stress

• ASK FOR HELP!!!!

Reception:

.Bites are preventable!!!!!: Dogs on Leash, Cats in crate, Signs informing owners of these rules

. Slips & falls: Rinse & Dry floor w/towel after mopping to minimize slipping. (wet floor sign)

. Keep drawers closed.

. cord covers or move cords out of the way of tripping.

Safety in Exam Room & Treatment (TX):

.minimize O (owner) handling.

. LESS is MORE with restraint, try to restrain with P’s comfort in mind. Scratching behind cat ears

. ALWAYS maintain control of P’s (Pet’s) HEAD.

. Floor restraint-steady chest/head (USE YOUR ENVIRONMENT-corners)

. Don’t release hold until TOLD/INSTRUCTED to

. DON’T CHANCE A POSSIBLE BITE! (E-collar, Muzzle, towel/blanket, scruff & stretch hold-cat, OR MORE EXPERIENCE TECH)

. Injury=1st aid & notify management

. Prevent back injury=lift table & 2ndperson

Controlled drugs

 . All controlled drugs need to be

LOCKED up.

. lock box (METAL & FIXED TO WALL)

. Document in PETS RECORD & CONTROL DRUG LOG

. All controlled drugs need to be LOCKED up.

. Lock box (METAL & FIXED TO WALL)

. Examples Include:

– Buprenorphine

– Diazepam

– Fentanyl

– Hydromorphone

– Butorphanol (Torb)

. Places to Document

– PETS RECORD

– CONTROL DRUG LOG

Safety in Radiology:

• X-rays are proof of CHRONIC (long term exposure) illness.

• Radiology caution sign posted outside.

• DOSIMETER BADGE: Measures Radiograph exposure, worn=ALL TIMES! While taking x-rays & Worn on the OUTSIDE of the lead apron

• . RSO=Radiology Safety Officer

• . Develop, implement, purchase, storage & use/disposal of radioactive bi-product.

• . RAD PPE: LEAD!!!!!!! Gloves, Apron, Thyroid Shield, Walls

• . Technique Charts prevent EXCESS amounts of radiation & reduce the number of re-take x-rays

• . GREATER than 18yrs old to take x-rays (>18yrs)

Infection Control:

. Hand washing (Min. 20 SECONDS)

. Proper Waste Disposal (Trash, Recycle & Sharp containers)

. Clean/Disinfection of surfaces

. (D) Sterilization: Removal of ALL microorganisms (Virus, Bacteria, Fungus)

. Isolation (Separate) for procedures of sick animals

. Vaccines policies for staff (Rabies, tetanus)

Safety using chemicals

.. Disinfectants, Cleaners, Radiograph processing solutions, treatment solutions

(D) Hazardous Chemical: element, chemical compound, or mixt.ure of elements and/or compounds that present a potential physical or health hazard.

. Safety Signs

. Read warning labels before handling/mixing.

. NEVER! Alter a solution, unless….Otherwise stated on the manufacture label

. Mixing chemicals can cause: TOXIC FUMES!!!

. PPE (Goggles) for splashing, (Gloves) decreased risk for topical chemical burns or reactions

. EYE WASH: MINIMUM OF 10 MINUTES!!!!!!

 

 

. Safety is EVERYONE’S Responsibility

• Safety is a EVERYONE’s responsibility

• Awareness and training reduce risks

• Proper equipment and procedures protect everyone

• A safe workplace benefits staff, clients, and animals

Infection Control Definitions:

• (D) Antiseptic: Effective disinfecting agents that destroy microorganisms or inhibit growth on living tissue.

• (D) Cleaning: Process of physically removing all visible signs of dirt/organic matter. (EX: wipe off dirt or paper from table)

• (D) Disinfecting: Process of destroying most microorganisms on non-living things

• (EX: desk/table)

• (D) Cold Sterile: soaking items in a disinfectant chemical until needed again.

• (D) Sanitation: Process of keeping area sterile to prevent spread of disease.

• (D) Sterilization: Destroy ALL microorganisms

• (VIRUS, BACTERIA, FUNGUS)

Hazard Definitions:

• (D) Biological: Pose risk to human/animal through contamination of living organisms in body tissues or fluids. (EX: Blood, Urine, Feces, & live vaccines)

• (D) Chemical: Injury to skin, lungs, eyes, or other areas due to exposure.

• Medical Waste: Living tissue/Fluids may have contagious/infectious that can cause zoonotic disease.

• (D)Physical: situation/agent w/potential to cause harm to human/animal’s body.

• (D) Zoonotic Hazard: Contagious organism spread to humans causing infection by viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infect.

• (D) Zoonotic Disease: Disease transmitted from animals to humans.

– 1.) Virus: disease CANNOT be treated & must run its course (flu/Rabies)

– 2.) Bacteria: is a living organism. Invades the body causing illness (wounds, air-lungs, MM)

– 3.) Fungus: Living organism that invades the external area of the body through direct or indirect contact.

. (D) Direct Contact: Transmission through a direct source (Saliva, cage, ground)

. (D) Indirect: trans. Of DZ through an indirect source (water or air)