Safety Measures

Section I – Unit 3

Who’s concern is safety?

Safety is Everyone’s Concern!

● The elderly may not realize that some activities are harmful to them.

● The most common cause of accidents for LTC residents is falls.

● Communicate with residents about safety.● The resident has a right to a safe environment.

● “Think Safety First”

Physical Changes in the Elderly

● Decreased vision● Impaired hearing● Tremors or shaking● Dizziness when position is changed● Slower reflexes● Mental changes such as confusion● Weakness due to illness or injury

Providing a Safe Environment

VS

● Keep hallways and resident rooms clean, dry, and free of obstacles

● Pick up any objects on the floor

● Wipe spills immediately and place a wet floor sign

Providing a Safe Environment

● Keep beds in prescribed position and wheels locked

● Follow facility policy for use of side rails

● Maintain adequate lighting● Instruct residents to use

handrails● Set brakes on wheelchairs

during transfers or when parking the chair

Providing a Safe Environment

• Report all equipment not in proper working order and use it according to facility policy and manufacturer’s directions

• Properly transport residents and/or equipment• Check soiled linen for sharp or misplaced

articles• Keep all chemicals in locked area legibly labeled

and in their original container• Keep hazardous materials, sharp objects, and

paints away from confused residents

Providing a Safe Environment

• Ensure proper footwear is worn by staff and residents• Provide call signals and remind residents to call for

help• Always identify residents before beginning care• Follow recommended safety precautions for all

procedures• Report any changes in condition, such as loss of

appetite• Keep residents’ preferred belongings within easy

reach• Avoid the use of clothing that could cause residents

to trip• Use shower chairs for showers.

Accident vs Incident

An unexpected, undesirable event

An occurrence or event that interrupts normal procedures

or precipitates a crisis

Must know your role in recognizing and reporting accidents and incidents

Broken Equipment

● Broken or unsafe equipment should be “locked out”

● Report all equipment broken to supervisor (Nurse)

● Tag equipment according to policy

● Hazardous Communication Employee Right to Know – makes employees aware of the proper uses and hazards of chemicals in the workplace

Call Signals

• Ensure all residents have access to a call signal at all times and know how to use it

• The call signal may be the resident’s only means of getting help in an emergency

• Know and follow facility policy for using call signals:o All staff are responsible for answering call signals, even if it’s not

their assigned residento Know the various signals for resident rooms, bathrooms, etc.o Know how to turn call signals off/ono Know the timelines for answering call signalso Proper responses when answering call signals

Identifying Residents

● Name bands (not common)

● Name on door● Pictures● Sensor bracelets for

wandering residents

Oxygen Safety

● Two types of oxygen delivery

● Know the liter flow ordered by the doctor, monitor liter flow when in the room and notify nurse of incorrect liter flow

● CNA’s CANNOT ADJUST OR APPLY O2!

Safety Precautions with Oxygen

• Post oxygen signs on door, over bed and follow facility policy

• Check with nurse before using electrical equipment such as razors, fans, radios, televisions

• Never use flammable liquids such as nail polish remover• Be sure that the oxygen cylinder is secure on base and /or

chained to a carrier or wall• Immediately report smoking/smoking material when

oxygen is in use• Use only cotton blankets – not wool or synthetic• If tank is empty report to nurse

Role of the Nurse Aide in Fire Prevention and Safety

Fire Prevention•Supervise smoking in designated areas/monitor for smoking materials in rooms•Allow no open flames near oxygen•Report frayed wiring or faulty electrical equipment•Report concerns of overloaded electrical outlets

Role of the Nurse Aide in Fire Prevention and Safety

Fire Emergency Rules•Stay calm and do not panic, run, or scream•Follow the steps of RACE:

R – Remove all residents from the immediate vicinity of the fireA – Activate the alarm system

C – Contain the fire and smoke by closing all doors and windowsE – Extinguish the fire, if it is small enough to contain

Role of the Nurse Aide in Fire Prevention and Safety

• Remove combustible supplies and equipment from hallways

• Remember that smoke kills!• In a smoke-filled area, stay close to the

floor because smoke rises• Know facility policy regarding fire

emergency rules

Role of the Nurse Aide in Natural Disasters

• Tornado• Hurricane• Other natural disasters

Laws

● The Safe Medical Device Act of 1991-requires that the FDA be notified of any death or serious injury caused by medical devices

● The Texas Concealed Handgun Law – prohibits carrying a concealed weapon in a hospital, nursing home or other health care facility.

Laws

OSHA is mandated by the government to protect the employee•OSHA inspects LTC facilities for compliance with PPE, Material Safety Data Sheets, and TB testing/exposure•OSHA also requires each facility to have an eyewash station within a reasonable distance of where hazardous chemicals are used and a total body wash station – facility shower rooms satisfy both requirements•Video recorders may be in use – Audio Electronic Monitoring (AEM)