Occupational health and safety in vet hsopitals

Workplace safety is overseen by

the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), establishing rights and responsibilities for employees and their employers

If employer doesn’t respond favorably to your safety concerns

you have a right to escalate concerns to your regional OSHA office

Practices with more than 10 employees

should maintain a summary of work related injuries and illnesses

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

an article or piece of clothing worn to prevent injury or prevent exposure to a harmful substance

Policies typically found in the

hospital safety manual

A single person shouldn’t attempt to lift more than

40-50lbs

Things that must be accessed frequently

shouldn’t be on high shelves

Liquids should be stored

below eye level to prevent spilling liquid into eyes

When opening an autoclave

important to activate the vent to release pressure, stand back and let it completely clear before opening the door

P in PASS

pull the pin

A in PASS

aim low at the base of the fire

1st S in PASS

squeeze the handle

2nd S in PASS

sweep from side to side, at the base of the fire

“Right to Know” law

requires employees to be informed of chemicals that they may be exposed to while doing their job

Hazard statement

found on a product label that describes the hazards of the chemical and the degree of the hazard

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

a document detailing precautions, instructions, and advice for handling a chemical

Ethylene Oxide

a carcinogenic chemical that may be used for sterilization in hospitals

Formalin

a carcinogenic chemical that’s often used to preserve biopsy specimens

Glutaraldehyde

used in “cold sterilization”

The most common injuries in a veterinary clinic are

bite wounds and scratches. You should handle patients carefully to minimize your injury risk

If shampoo or another chemical splashes in you in the eye

1st call for help and then have someone help you to the eyewash

Pasteurella

a common organism in the mouth of animals that has been associated with causing heart and lung disease in humans

PPE while dental cleaning

gloves, mask, and protective eyewear

the radiation that’s used to take radiographs is

generally regarded as safe for short duration, infrequent exposure, but has been associated with several health risks when exposure is repeated or over a longer duration

Possible effects of radiation can include

cell damage that can lead to cancer, as well as fatal bone marrow disorders

Appropriate PPE for taking radiographs

lead apron. lead gloves, and a thyroid shield

Collimate the beam

to the smallest possible size to image the necessary area of the patients body

Dosimetry badge

worn by healthcare employees that monitors radiation exposure over time

Waste Anesthetic Gas (WAG)

gases exhaled by anesthetized patients

Safe level for WAG

2 parts per million (ppm)

1st component to reduce WAG exposure

is using an appropriate scavenger

3 different types of scavenger systems

active scavenging, passive exhaust, and absorption

Can prevent WAG exposure by

ensuring that anesthetic gas isn’t turned on until the patients intubation tube cuff is inflated

How should compressed gas cylinders be stored?

upright, in a cool, dry place and should be secured using a chain or strap

If a needle needs to be recapped

a one-handed technique can be used

Zoonotic disease

an infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans

Rabies

a viral infection affecting mammals that is typically transmitted through bite wounds, and is usually fatal

Lyme disease

a bacterial infection, tick-borne disease that causes flu-like symptoms and joint pain in humans

Ringworm

a skin infection caused by the zoonotic fungus Microsporum, occurring mostly in cats and horses

Sarcoptic mange or scabies

a zoonotic skin mite of animals that causes itching in humans

Visceral Larval Migrans

a condition in which the larvae of roundworms cause cyst-like growths in the internal organs of humans

Cutaneous Larval Migrans

a skin condition caused by the larvae of hookworms, a zoonotic parasite