Healthcare Safety

Sharps Container

Those involved in healthcare can be exposed to biologic, electrical, radiation, and chemical hazard daily. The goal of all healthcare facilities is to provide quality care in an environment that is safe for employees and patients. Safety begins with you. Please review the facilities "Safety Protocol" handbook.  

Sharps Container

The sharps container is a hard plastic container that is used to safely dispose of needles and other sharp medical instruments. Extreme care must be taken in the management and disposal of sharps waste.

*Warning*

Never for any reason put your hand into a sharps container!

Please review the provided material and answer the following questions:

https://www.fda.gov/downloads/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/homehealthandconsumer/consumerproducts/sharps/ucm278775.pdf

1. What organization published the material?

2. List three items commonly used in a healthcare setting that need to disposed of by placing them into a sharps container.

3. Should a needle be recapped before placing into a sharps container?

4. Identify the warning labels on a sharps container.

5. Explain why it is important not to forcibly pack a sharps container.

Please review the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFevZhMs8PU

Provide additional support that the information in this video is accurate.

Develop a demonstration (to be submitted and discussed with your mentor) that illustrates proper use of a Sharps Container.

Biohazard

Material or substance harmful to health. Healthcare workers are exposed to biohazard material and must be handled and disposed of in an appropriate method. (examples: blood, urine, fecal material, any body fluids.) 

Please review the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DYxezSZx9c

Please provide additional resources that support the accuracy of this video

Biohazard material must be put into a biohazard container displaying the symbol illustrated in the video above. The containers are collected and disposed of in a prescribed method.

What federal organization is responsible for the regulation of biohazardous material?

Identify five items that should be disposed of as biohazardous waste.

Identify five waste items that should not be disposed of as biohazardous waste.  

Draw the biohazard symbol and submit to your mentor.

Develop and submit a presentation to be discussed with your mentor a demonstration of your understanding of the proper handling of biohazardous material.

Fire Safety

In a healthcare setting, you will be exposed to numerous flammable materials. 

Review your facilities fire evacuation plan.

Fire Safety

Please review the material provided by the National Fire Protection Association.

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets

Answer the following questions:

What month of the year is a candle fire most likely?

List 3 types of electric space heaters.

Develop an action plan for an individual living in an apartment building, in the event of a fire.

Develop an action plan for your family in the event of a house fire.

Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers play an important role in laboratory safety and fire prevention.

Please review the following information:

https://www.nationwide.com/fire-extinguisher-safety.jsp

Answer the following questions:

List the types of fire extinguisher available and identify the type of fire there listed to extinguish. 

Please review the following information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktrv34zW7-A&feature=youtu.be

Provide additional support that the information in this video is accurate.

Explain using the P.A.S.S. technique for fire suppression.

Identify three situations that the use of a fire extinguisher might be justified. Please provide justification.

Explain the rating system for a fire extinguisher: A, AB, ABC

Develop a demonstration (to be submitted and discussed with your mentor) that illustrates the proper fire extinguisher technique. Do not use a real fire of any type for this demonstration.

(Many times an expired fire extinguisher can usually be located at the school, city building or fire extinguisher companies.)

Remember that a fire extinguisher is only suitable for a small fire. Never risk injury. Find a safe place, call 911 and allow the professionals to handle the situation.