M4- Prevention and Management of Catastrophe and Unusual Occurrences

Healthcare workers are at risk of injury due to

• Moving and transferring residents• Stress of the healthcare environment• Exposure to pathogens• Exposure to chemicals• Natural and human-made disasters

LTC facilities must have?

• At least one fully equipped common room for dining and activities• Handrails on both sides of hallway • Constant, safe water supply • Pest-control system • Ventilation system via windows, A/C, or both

What are some examples of Bloodborne pathogens

• Blood • Vomit • Saliva • Urine and feces • Vaginal secretions • Wound drainage

How can we protect ourselves from bloodborne pathogens by

Following standard precautions• Using the appropriate PPE • Receiving vaccinations • Ensuring needles are placed in sharps containers promptly • Obeying facility policies if exposure occurs

What do we do if exposure to a bloodborne pathogen occurs

• Immediately wash area with soap and water • Flush mouth, nose, or eyes with water if they were involved • Report event to supervisor • Obtain medical evaluation promptly • Follow facility protocol regarding documentation • Obtain an HIV test if exposure is due to needlestick injury

What do we do if chemical exposure occurs

• Alert supervising nurse immediately• Nurse will follow procedures listed in SDS or directives from poison control center • Nurse may transport the person exposed toos

What do Safety Data Sheets Provide

detailed information on chemicals used in the facility • Suggest what first aid to use in event of exposure • Give info on how to use, store, and dispose of the product • Must be up-to-date and accessible to staff

How do we handle workplace violence

Remain calm and use therapeutic communication to calm others; Allow one person to speak at a time; Talk about and acknowledge feelings; Avoid personal attacks; Stick to the facts; Ask person to leave or remove self from abusive situations; Always ensure safety of resident and self; Call authorities if you feel threatened in any way

What safeguards are used to prevent spread of fire

• Metal fire doors separating units• Sprinkler systems • Pull-down fire alarms • Wall-mounted fire extinguishers • Alarms that are coordinated with fire department

What are duties during a fire

• Rescue or resident • Alarm or activate alarm • Confine or contain the fire • Extinguish or evacuate

How do we use a fire extinguisher

• Pull the pin• Aim at the base of the fire• Squeeze the handle of the extinguisher • Sweep at the base of the fire

What’s the difference between contact dermatitis and an immediate hypersensitivity reaction

contact dermatitis is usually seen from 6-48 hours, and well the latter is immediate.

What is an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

an agreement between the employer and an insurance company and/or a mental health provider to provide employees with free mental health care to employees and their families

What does the RACE acronym used for

used to remember how to respond to a fire: Resident or Rescue, Alarm, Confine and Extinguish or Evacuate

What is the PASS acronym used for

used to remember how to use the fire extinguisher: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep