ITHP Lesson 1.2.2

• identify common safety hazards in healthcare

• explain why safety is important in healthcare

• identify ways to prevent healthcare hazards

• identify organizations that play a major role in healthcare safety

airborne infection - when droplets containing germs released from an infected person are suspended in the air and come into contact with a healthy person.

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - national public health agency of the United States that protects public health and safety through the prevention and control of disease, injury, and disability in the U.S. and worldwide.

contact infection - occurs when a person comes in contact with germs directly (by touching) or indirectly (through surfaces and equipment).

droplet infection - an infection that results when a person inhales the droplets of saliva or sputum containing germs released from an infected person while coughing, talking, or sneezing.

hazards - possible sources of harm that can occur for a variety of reasons.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) - a regulatory agency of the United States Department of Labor that ensures that the working conditions for the worker are safe and healthy by establishing proper standards and ensuring to give training, outreach, and education.

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) - a United States federal agency that conducts research and provides advice for the prevention of injury and illness related to the work.

WHO (World Health Organization) - agency committed to international public health within the United Nations.

personal protective equipment - special type of clothing or equipment worn by a healthcare professional to prevent infection from infected substances, and secretions

• To protect workers from illness and injury

• Improve quality of patient care

• Well-functioning and resilient healthcare systems-- avoid disruption and keep the system running when an emergency or surge occurs

​Chemical Hazards

• Include sterilants, disinfectants, cleaning agents, anesthetic gases, hazardous drugs, laboratory chemicals, latex, mercury, pesticides, and surgical smoke.

• Exposure can occur through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion

• Can lead to health effects like skin and respiratory irritation, allergies, asthma, and chronic issues such as liver or reproductive problems.

• To mitigate risks: implement safety protocols, worker education, using safer alternativces when available, and ensure proper labeling and access to Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
  

​Biological Hazards

• Include infectious microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites found in blood, bodily fluids, contaminated equipment, and airborne particles.

• Poses risk of infection through contact, inhalation, or ingestion.

• Examples: HIV, hepatitis, COVID-19, MRSA

• Preventative measures: hand hygiene, PPE, proper waste disposal, and vaccination along with strict adherence to infection control procedures and safer work practices
  

​Physical Hazards

• Risks from noise, extreme temperatures, radiation, electricity, lasers, and physical forces like slips, trups, falls and being struck by an object

• Prevention and Control: Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment, training, PPE, environmental controls (reduce noise levels, proper ventilation to control temperatures), and workplace design (clear pathways, clean and dry floors)
  

​Ergonomic Hazards

• Repetitive motion, awkward postures, forceful exertions, direct contact stress, vibration, and prolonged standing.

• Increase the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders such as back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis

• Common examples: Lifting and repositioning patients, pushing heavy carts, performing repetitive tasks, and using poorly designed equipment

• Prevention strategies- modify workspace, reduce stress and strain, PPE

​Psychosocial Hazards

• High job demands (excessive workload), lack of control over work and resources, poor work relationships, workplace violence and harassment, organizational issues (poor communication and insecurity) and trauma exposure

• Can lead to burnout, anxiety, depression, and physical harm

• Prevention Strategies: workplace-level interventions; leadership and management support, individual-level support, systematic risk assessment

Infection-entry of germsintro your body which may occur through the transmission from one person to another in many ways
Hospital-associated infections- infections that patients contact while being hospitalized for another condition

1. Droplet Infection- an infection that results when a person inhales the droplets of saliva or sputum containing germs released from an infected person while coughing, talking, or sneezing

2. Contact Infection- occurs when a person comes in contact with germs directly (by touching) or indirectly (through surfaces and equipment)

3. Airborne Infection- when the droplets containing germs released from an infected person are suspended in the air and come into contact with a health person

Infection Control at the Facility Level

• Education and training

• Surveillance of infection

• Policies, procedures, and guidelines

• Audit process

• Documented arrangements

• Monitoring of hospital hygiene

Waste Management

• Any trash that results from providing medical care or conducting medical research

• Managed by decontaminating waste with thermal processing (autoclaving) or irradiative, chemical, or biological (enzyme) treatments

• Types of medical waste: infectious waste, pathological waste, sharps, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, genotoxic waste, radioactive waste

Infection Control at the Individual Level

• Hand-washing and antisepsis (hand-hygiene)

• Prevention of needlestick/sharp injuries

• Environmental cleaning

• Use of PPE (personal protective equipment)- a special type of clothing or equipment worn by a healthcare professional to prevent infection

  • Includes: aprons, masks, gloves, goggles)

Radiation Safety

• Aims to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure

• Protective measures:

  • Minimuze time near a radioactive source

  • Maximize distance from a radioactive source

  • Use shielding as a barrier between the radioactive source and the person performing the precedure or having it done

  • Formal training to reduce exposure

HVAC System- (Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning)

• Maintain good indoor air quality (IAQ)

• Maintain aseptic conditions to prevent airborne infections

• Securing healthy, safe, and suitable indoor temperature, humidity, air quality and air flow

1. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)- a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Labor that ensures safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing safety and health standards, providing training and education, and offering outreach and assistance to employers to help them meet these standards and protect workers from injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. 

2. NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health- responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness

1. CDC (Center for Disease Control)- the national public health agency of the U.S. The agency's main goal is the protection of public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability in the US and worldwide.The CDC focuses national attention on developing and applying disease control and prevention.

2. WHO (World Health Organization) -the specialized health agency of the United Nations that leads global efforts to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable by connecting nations, partners, and communities to address public health issues and achieve the highest attainable standard of health for all people

​Next Class: Friday, 2/6/26

Unit 1 Quiz Review and Quiz!

If you do not attend guided instruction, be sure to complete the Quiz Review before taking the quiz!!