In the workplace, nurses encounter various safety issues, but they can employ certain strategies to prevent such events, according to Minority Nurse.
Here are three tips:
1. Ensure your organization adheres to the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. Each year, 385,000 sharps-related injuries occur among hospital employees, making this a top safety concern for nurses in the workplace. Organizations are required by law to comply with various regulations to ensure needs are used with safety caps. However, nurses should talk to someone of authority if their medical facility fails to adhere to standards.
2. Ask your employer for powder-free gloves. Latex gloves can often cause allergic reactions, which could lead to serious issues such as anaphylactic shock if untreated. Nurses have the right to ask their employer for powder-free gloves.
3. Know what constitutes workplace violence, and be sure to report it. Workplace violence can fall into four categories including:
• Violence caused by customer/client (i.e. patient or patient party)
• Criminal intent
• Worker-on-worker
• Personal relationship
States are implementing regulations to prevent workplace violence. To control workplace violence, facilities can install a security system. Hoverer, nurses should still note patients who may have a history of violent behavior and should have an escort if they think a situation may turn violent.
More articles on quality & infection control:
10% boost in hand hygiene compliance reduced HAIs by 6%: 4 takeaways
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Medical errors occur in nearly 50% of surgeries: 4 key notes
