EMPLOYEE Safety Risks & How to Prevent - Help!

[rad7855]

Hello, as a occupational safety specialist for a major hospital, I am reaching out to the medical community for assistance in keeping our staff safe from injury!

As you know, patient safety is at the center of your focus. However, employee safety should be considered equally as important. What I am asking is for tips related to the below topics on how to prevent incidents from occurring (ideally engineering out the hazard i.e. new equipment to do reduce risk):

Bloodborne Pathogen Splash Exposures

- JP Drains

- IV Lines

- Catheters

- Trachs

Bloodborne Pathogen Sharps Exposures

- Needles have one-handed safety activation

- Patients flinching

- Insulin Needles

Safe Patient Handling

- How to help medical staff understand the need for patient handling equipment without being 'mandated'

Large hospitals, a lot of staff and trying to do what is best for the employees! Thank you for your help in advance!

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

What's already in place at your hospital, and what do you feel are the biggest gaps?

[rad7855]

Well we use the standard equipment listed under the splash exposure section. I'm curious if there are any safer alternatives to the typical JP drains, etc. There are BBP exposure control plans but most of the items listed here aren't necessarily in the class of 'reasonable expectation of splash exposure' category. PPE is also lacking on most units but seems staff also do not feel the need to wear until after the are splashed or stuck (scare factor?).

I tried googling a bit but coming from the non-clinical background causes some issues here.

Also, we are piloting patient handling equipment but having some issues with ensuring staff are utilizing equipment, however, the buy in with the CNO is difficult for creating a policy - although that is no guarantee to work.