SAFETY AND HYGIENE

Safety and Hygiene

Excellent nursing care is safe for both the clients receiving the care, and the workers involved in the delivery of health care.

Factors Affecting Client Safety

• Age 

• Lifestyle 

• Sensory and Perceptual 

• Alterations 

• Mobility 

• Emotional State 

• Types of Accidents

Safety and Hygiene

Excellent nursing care is safe for both the clients receiving the care, and the workers involved in the delivery of health care.

Factors Affecting Client Safety

• Age 

• Lifestyle 

• Sensory and Perceptual 

• Alterations 

• Mobility 

• Emotional State 

• Types of Accidents

Types of Accidents

• Client behavior accidents 

• Therapeutic procedure accidents 

• Equipment accidents

Safe Environment

is one in which each facility follows specific safety processes and procedures derived from national and state directives, TJC guidelines, and best industry practices.

Nurse

Each __ is responsible for following the facility’s established safety guidelines.

Nurse’s responsibility

It is the ___ to report promptly and to document a mishap.

Potential Occupational Hazards

• Chemical and biological exposures 

• Physical exposures (lasers, ionizing radiation, noise) 

• Psychosocial stressors (shift work, overtime, threat of workplace violence) 

• Ergonomic stressors (lifting and moving clients)

Routes of Exposure

Methods by which chemical and biological substances are assimilated into the body 

Routes of Exposure

• Inhalation 

• Ingestion

• Injection 

• Skin contact 

• Skin absorption

Exposure Prevention and Control

• Substitution 

• Engineering Controls 

• Administrative Controls 

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions 

• Hazardous Substances

Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions

• Masks 

• Respirators 

• Goggles 

• Private room with negative pressure ventilation

Hazardous Substances

• Corrosives 

• Carcinogens

• Teratogens 

• Target organ chemicals 

• Sensitizers

Latex Allergy

• Irritant contact dermatitis 

• Allergic contact dermatitis 

• Immediate hypersensitivity 

  • A systemic reaction also called type 1 IgE-mediated reaction

Employee Health

Any dermatitis should be promptly reported to ___.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

• OSHA mandatory standards 

• Prevention such as back injuries

Safety and Health Training

• Injury prevention training 

• Upgraded as client and employee needs change

Hygiene

it is the science of health.

Hygiene

Promotes cleanliness, provides comfort and relaxation, improves self-image, and promotes healthy skin.

Body’s First Line of Defense

The skin and mucous membranes are the

Factors Influencing Hygienic Practice

• Body Image 

• Social and Cultural Practices 

• Personal Preferences 

• Socioeconomic Status 

• Knowledge

Assessment to Identify at-Risk Client

• Health History

• Physical Examination

• Diagnostic and Laboratory Data

• Client in an Inpatient Setting

• Client in the Home

Health History

• Data regarding client’s routine self-care and health promotion needs 

  • General health perception 

  • Self-care management

Physical Examination

• Level of consciousness 

• Range of motion or total immobilization of an extremity 

• Localized infection 

• Systemic infection 

• Secretions or exudate of skin or mucous membranes 

• Presence of crackles, rhonchi, or wheezes

Client in an Inpatient Setting

Fall and infection risk factors

Client in the Home

Risk for falls, fires, electrical malfunctions, suffocation, weapons, and household and medication poisonings.

Nursing Diagnosis

• Risk for Injury

• Risk for Infection Related to (RT)

• Self-Care Deficit

Outcome Identification and Planning

• Identification of actual or potential hazards 

• Reduction of the risk of injury and infection 

• Client/caregiver education regarding safety measures and modification of an unsafe environment

Implementation

• Raise Safety Awareness and Knowledge 

• Bed Safety 

• Prevent Falls

• Types of Physical Constraints

• Reduce Bathroom Hazards 

• Prevent Fire 

• Ensure safe operation of electrical equipment

• Reduce exposure to radiation. 

• Prevent poisoning. 

• Reduce Noise Pollution. 

• Provide for Client Bathing Needs. 

Types of Physical Constraints

• Jacket

• Belt

• Mitten or Hand

• Elbow

• Limb or Extremity

• Mummy

Prevent Fire

• Common causes of fire 

• Fire prevention 

• Protection of clients during a fire 

• Institutional policies and procedures for fire containment and evacuation

Ensure safe operation of electrical equipment

Three-pronged electrical plug that is grounded Warning labels on all equipment Electrical shock 

Reduce exposure to radiation

• Both the client and the nurse are at risk for injury. 

• Radiation injury can occur from overexposure or exposure to untargeted tissues. 

• General principles of radiation exposure and protection are based on time, distance, and shielding.

Prevent poisoning

• Antidotes and treatments are available for some but not all types of poisonings. 

• Poison control center

•  Client education

Poison

A ___ is any substance that causes an alteration in the client’s health when inhaled, injected, ingested, or absorbed by the body. 

Reduce Noise Pollution

• Sensory overload can alter a client’s recovery by increasing anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and depression. 

• Safety measures include maintaining a quiet environment, traffic control, and providing earplugs.

Provide for Client Bathing Needs

• Cleaning Baths 

• Shower 

• Tub Bath 

• Self-Help Bath 

• Complete Bed Bath 

• Partial Bath

Provide for Client Bathing Needs

• Therapeutic Bath 

• Clean Bed Linen 

• Skin Care

• Perineal Care (peri-care, perineal-genital care)

• Offer Back Rubs 

• Foot and Nail Care 

• Clients with diabetes mellitus need special foot and nail care.

• Oral Care 

• Hair Care 

• Eye, Ear, and Nose Care 

Therapeutic Bath

• Requires a physician’s order. 

  • Type of bath 

  • Temperature of water 

  • Body surface to be treated 

  • Type of medicated solutions to use

Perineal Care (peri-care, perineal-genital care)

• Provided alone or as part of the bed bath. 

• May be an embarrassing procedure for both the client and the nurse.

Offer Back Rubs 

• Stimulate circulation 

• Relax muscles 

• Relieve muscle tension 

• Skin assessment

Foot and Nail Care 

• Prevents infection. 

• Prevents soft tissue trauma from ingrown or jagged nails. 

• Eliminates odor. 

Oral Care

• Fluoride 

• Flossing 

• Brushing Oral care for the unconscious patient

Hair Care

• Brushing and combing 

• Shampooing 

• Shaving 

• Mustache and beard care

Eye, Ear, and Nose Care 

• Contact Lenses 

  • Level of assistance required 

  • Hard and soft lenses 

• Hearing Aids 

  • Types 

  • Function 

  • Storage 

• Nose 

  • Nasogastric tube care

Evaluation

• Frequent reassessment of client health risks 

• Need for timely adjustments to plan of care and expected outcomes