Chapter 6: Safety and body mechanics

Elderly have more..

safety concerns due to issues like dementia, confusion, illness, disability, and diminished sense

Paralysis

is the loss of ability to move all or part of the body

A fall is..

any sudden uncontrollable descent from a higher to a lower level, with or without injury resulting

A fracture

is a broken bone

Disorientation

means confusion about person, place, or time

HOW DO YOU PREVENT FALLS?

• Clear all walkways of clutter, trash, throw rugs, and cords

• If rugs or mats are used, they should have a nonslip backing

• Have residents wear nonskid, sturdy shoes. Make sure shoelaces are tied

• Residents should not wear clothing that is too long or drags on the floor

• Keep personal items that are used often close to residents, including call lights

• Answer call lights right away

• Immediately clean up spills on the floor

• Report loose handrails immediately

• Mark uneven flooring or stairs with tape of a contrasting color to indicate a hazard

• Improve lighting where needed

• Lock wheels and move footrests out of the way before helping residents into or out of wheelchairs

• Lock bed wheels before helping a resident into and out of bed while giving care

• RAISE A BED WHILE GIVING CARE TO MAKE THE JOB EASIER AND SAFER

• GET HELP WHEN MOVING A RESIDENT IF U FEEL UNSURE

• OFFER HELP WITH ELIMINATION REGULARLY

• LEAVE FURNITURE IN THE SAME PLACE AS U FOUND IT

• KNOW WHICH RESIDENTS ARE AT RISKS FOR FALLS

• IF A RESIDENT STARTS TO FALL, BE IN A GOOD POSITION TO CATCH HIM/HER

• WHENEVER A RESIDENT FALLS, IT MUST BE REPORTED TO THE NURSE

Scalds

are burns caused by hot liquids

HOW TO PREVENT BURNS AND SCALDS

• check water temperatre with a water thermomter

• immediately report frayed electrical cords or appliances that look unsafe

• let residents know where you are about to pour or set down a hot liquid

• pour hot drinks away from residents

• make sure residents are sitting down before serving them hot drinks

• if plate warmers or other equipment that produce heat are used, monitor them carefully

Residents must always..

be identified before giving or serving food

Choking can..

occur while eating, drinking, or taking medication

What are considered poisons?

Cleaning products, paints, medicines, toiletries, and glue SHOULD NOT BE INGESTED

An abrasion

is an injury that rubs off the surface of the skin

Oxygen therapy

is the adminstration of oxygen to increase the supply of oxygen to the lungs

Combustion

means the process of burning

Flammable

means easily ignited and capable of burning quickly

WORKING SAFELY WITH OXYGEN

• POST NO SMOKING SIGNS AND OXYGEN IN USE SIGNS

• REMOVE ALL FIRE HAZARDS FROM THE ROOM OR AREA

• DO NOT BURN CANDLES, LIGHT MATCHES, OR USE LIGHTERS AROUND OXYGEN

• DO NOT USE AN EXTENSION CORD WITH OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR

• DO NOT PLACE ELECTRICAL CORDS OR OXYGEN TUBING UNDER RUGS OR FURNITURE

• OXYGEN CAN BE IRRITATING TO THE NOSE AND MOUTH: CHECK THE NASAL CANNULA REGULARLY AND REPORT AND DOCUMENT ANY IRRITATON YOU OBSERVE

• DO NOT USE ANY PETROLUM BASED PRODUCTS: SUCH AS VASELINE OR CHAPSTICK. THEY ARE A FIRE HAZARD. OIL STUFF IS A FIRE HAZARD

• LEARN HOW TURN OXYGEN OFF IN CARE OF FIRE. NEVER ADJUST THE OXYGEN SETTING OR DOSE

What is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

• Employers must have an SDS FOR EVERY CHEMICAL USED

• EMPLOYERS MUST PROVIDE EASY ACCESS TO THE SDS

• STAFF MEMBERS MUST KNOW WHERE THESE SHEETS ARE KEPT AND HOW TO READ THEM. THEY SHOULD ASK FOR HELP IF THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO READ THEM

OSHA requires that emergency eyewash stations..

be placed in all hazardous areas in case an eye injury occurs. Employees must know where the closest eyewash station is and how to get there with restricted vision

A restraint

is a physical or chemical way to restrict voluntary movement and behavior

There are many serious problems associated with restraint use, including the following:

• Pressure injuries

• Pneumonia

• Risk of suffocation

• Reduced blood circulation

• Stress on the heart

• Blood clots

• Incontinence

• Constipation

• Muscle atrophy

• Loss of bone mass

• Poor appetite and malnutrition

• Depression and/or withdrawal

• Sleep disorders

• Loss of dignity

• Loss of independence

• Stress and anxiety

• Increased agitation (anxiety, restlessness)

• Loss of self-esteem

• Severe injury

• Death

Restraint-free care

means that restraints are not kept or used for any reason

Restraint alternatives

are measures used in place of a restraint

Creative ideas that help avoid the need for restraints are used instead

Atrophy

weakening or wasting away of muscles

EXAMPLES OF RESTRAINT ALTNERATIVES

• MAKE SURE CALL LIGHTS ARE WITHIN REACH AND ANSWERED PROMPTLY

• IMPROVE SAFETY MEASURES TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND FALLS

• ASSIST THE RESIDENT WITH AMBULATION WHEN HE IS RESTLESS

• PROVIDE ACTIVITES FOR THOSE WHO WANDER AT NIGHT

• ENCOURAGE ACTIVITIS AND INDPENDENCE. ESCORT THE RESIDENT TO SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. INCREASE VISITS AND SOCIAL INTERACTION

• GIVE FREQUENT HELP WITH ELIMINATION NEEDS.

• GIVE FREUQEST HELP WITH ELIMINATION AND EPISODE OF INCONTINENCE

• OFFER FOOD, DRINK, READING MATERIALS

• DISTRACT OR REDIRECT TASK

• MONTIOR RESIDENT CLOSELY

• USE A TEAM APPROAH TO MEETING THE RESIDENT’S NEEDS

WHAT ARE BODY MECHANICS?

Body mechanics is the way the parts of the body work together when a person moves. Using proper body mechanics helps save energy and prevent energy.

The elements of body mechanics are: alignment, base of support, fulcrum and lever, and center of gravity.

Posture

is the way a person holds and positions his body

Base of support

The base of support is the foundation that supports an object. The feet are the body’s base of support.

Fulcrum and lever

A lever moves an object by resting on a base of support, called a fulcrum.

For example, on a seesaw, the flatboard a person sits on is the lever.

The triangular base that the board rests on is the fulcrum

Center of gravity

The center of gravity in the body is the point where the most weight is concentrated

USING PROPER BODY MECHANICS

When lifting an object off the floor..

Your legs and thighs should do the lifting

USING PROPER BODY MECHANICS

Hold a heavy object..

close to you

Do not twist..

when you are lifting or moving an object

Never try to catch..

a falling a resident

Report to the nurse any task you feel that you cannot..

safely do

WHAT ARE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS IN A FACILITY?

• SMOKING

• FRAYED OR EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRES

• DAMAGED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

• OXYGEN USE

• FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OR RAGS WITH OILS ON THEM

• OVERLOADED ELECTRICAL SOCKETS

ALL FACILITIES HAVE A..

FIRE PLAN

FIRE PLAN

The PASS acronym will help you understand how to use an extinguisher:

• Pull the pin

• Aim at the base of the fire when spraying

• Squeeze the handle

• Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire

• Pull the pin

• Aim at the base of the fire when spraying

• Squeeze the handle

• Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire

How to use a fire extinguisher

In case of fire, follow the RACE acronym

• Remove anyone in danger if you are not in danger

• Alert by activating the fire alarm system or calling 911.

• Contain the fire if possible by closing all doors and windows

• Extinguish the fire, or the fire department will extinguish it. Evacuate the area of instructed to do so.

• Remove anyone in danger if you are not in danger

• Alert by activating the fire alarm system or calling 911.

• Contain the fire if possible by closing all doors and windows

• Extinguish the fire, or the fire department will extinguish it. Evacuate the area of instructed to do so.

in case of a fire

In case of a fire, residents who can walk will also need..

assistance in getting out of a building

In case of a fire, do not get into an..

elevator, unless directed to do so by the fire department

In case of a fire, IN CASE THE DOOR IS CLOSED, CHECK FOR..

HEAT COMING FROM IT BEFORE OPENING IT

In case of a fire and if its on your clothing or hair..

STOP, DROP, AND ROLL

DROP TO THE GROUND, LYING DOWN IF POSSIBLE.

ROLL ON THE GROUND TO TRY AND EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES

In case of a fire, USE A DAMP COVERING..

OOVER THE MOUTH TO REDUCE SMOKE INHALATION

In case of a fire, , AFTER LEAVING THE BUILDING

MOVE AWAY FROM IT

In case of a fire, KNOW WHICH RESIDENTS NEED..

ONE-ON-ONE HELP OR ASSISTIVE DEVICES

IMMOBILE RESIDENTS CAN BE MOVED IN SEVERAL WAYS

IF THEY HAVE A WHEELCHAIR, TRANSPORT THEM INTO IT.

YOU CAN USE OTHER WHEELED TRANSPORTERS, SUCH AS CARTS, BATH CHAIRS, STRETCHERS, OR BEDS

EVEN A BLANKET CAN BE USED AS A STRETCHER OR EVEN PULLED ACROSS THE FLOOR WITH SOMEONE ON IT