Minimizing Workplace Injuries

Course Objectives

Uncover the different ways to minimize workplace injuries
Identify the techniques and procedures for avoiding personal workplace injuries
Demonstrate the decontamination process

Course Content

Course Creator:

Total CE Hours: 1 Credit Hour

Pace Course #: 586-2115-25

Key Terms:

Antecubital Fossa
Basilic Vein
Blood-borne Pathogens
Carcinogenic
Cephalic Vein
Hematoma
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Median Cubital Vein
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Needle stick Safety and Prevention Act (NSPA)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Recumbent
Sharps
Standard Precautions
Universal Precautions

Outline:

Introduction
Key terms
History of Workplace Safety
- History
- Importance
Legislature for Workplace Safety
- US Department of Labor
  - OSHA
    - Laboratory Rules
    - Patient Room Rules
    - Inspection types
      - Complaint Inspection
      - Fatality or Accident Inspection
      - Programmed Inspection
      - Imminent Danger Inspections
  - Needle Stick Safety and Prevention Act (NSPA)
    - Employee Requirements
    - Injury Log
      - Example Injury log
Common Workplace Hazards in Phlebotomy
- Needle Sticks
  - Affects on a Phlebotomist
- Environmental hazards
  - Biological
    - Bloodborne pathogens
    - Airborne pathogens
    - Vector-borne pathogens
    - Animal-borne pathogens
  - Chemical
    - MSDS
  - Electrical
    - Fire and Explosives
    - Physical hazards
    - Allergen Hazards
  - NFPA Diamond
  - Sharps hazards
    - How to prevent
  - Ergonomic Hazards
    - MSDs
      - Common work-related MSDs
  - Workplace Violence
Avoiding Personal Injury
- Proper Handwashing
- Proper PPE
- Sterilization and disinfection of equipment and environment
- Proper handling and disposal of needles and other sharps
- Proper handling of samples
- Situational awareness
- Emergency Preparedness
Avoiding Patient Injury
- Draw blood from appropriate sites
- Properly position the patient
- Pay close attention to the patient
- Do not draw blood from an artery
- Bandaging too soon
- Don’t ignore pain complaints
- Avoid probing
- Properly label the sample
Precautions
- Universal Precautions
- Standard Precautions
- Transmission Precautions
  - Contact Isolation precautions
  - Airborne precautions
  - Droplet precautions
- Coughing, Sneezing and Talking
What To Do In The Event Of An Exposure
- Blood-borne Pathogens
- Responding To Sharps Hazards
- Responding To Physical Hazards
- Responding To Allergen Hazards
- Responding To Chemical Hazards
- Responding To Biological Hazards
- Responding To Electrical Hazards
- Responding To Fire/Explosive Hazards
- Responding to needlesticks
  - How to document
  - Factors that increase the risk
Decontamination Practices
- When
- Solution ratios
Sharps Container Usage
- Compromised sharps disposal
- Guidelines for Sharps containers
  - Functional
  - Accessible Clearly Visible
  - Accommodating
Conclusion

References:

National Library of Medicine (2020, May 11). A Short History of Occupational Safety and Health in the United States. NIH. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7144431/
Laboratory safety guidance. (n.d.). https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3404laboratory-safety-guidance.pdf. Retrieved April 9, 2024.)
(2022). A Fundamental Guide To Phlebotomy. NHCO – National Healthcare Certification Organization.
Needle stick safety and prevention act. (2001, April 1). PubMed. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16902692/
Penalver, J. (2005). Management of needle stick injuries in the health care setting. The AMA Journal of Ethics, 7(10). https://doi.org/10.1001/virtualmentor.2005.7.10.cprl1-0510
National Fire Protection Association (n.d.). About US NFPA. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.nfpa.org/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, February 1). Needlestick injuries are preventable. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/newsroom/feature/needlestick_disposal.html. Retrieved April 4, 2024
Tinonas, J. (2024, September 23). Phlebotomist safety procedures: Creating a safe environment for all. Phlebotomy. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.phlebotomynow.co/phlebotomist-safety-procedures-creating-a-safe-environment-for-all/
Center for Phlebotomy Education: Phlebotomy-Related Injuries: (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.phlebotomy.com/phlebotomy-related-injuries.html
Exams, H. (2023, March 10). Standard vs Universal Precautions: What’s the Difference? HIPAA Exams. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://www.hipaaexams.com/blog/universal-standard-precautions\
Biohazard exposure. Biohazard Exposure | Ready.gov. (n.d.). https://www.ready.gov/biohazard. Retrieved April 8, 2024
Responding to biological exposures. Responding to Biological Exposures | Environment, Health and Safety. (n.d.). https://ehs.cornell.edu/research-safety/biosafety-biosecurity/biological-safety-manuals-and-other-documents/responding-to-biological-exposures. Retrieved April 8, 2024
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, February 7). Occupational Exposure to Blood. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/faqs/occupational-exposure.html. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
Responding to electrical emergencies - OSHA training. OSHAtraining.com. (n.d.). https://oshatraining.com/wp-content/uploads/OSHA_Training_Toolbox_Talk_-_Respond_to_Electrical_Emergencies.pdf. Retrieved April 5, 2024
CDC - Bloodborne Infectious Diseases - Stop Sticks : Sharps Disposal - NORA Workplace Safety and Health Topic. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/nora/councils/hcsa/stopsticks/sharpsdisposal.html
Joe Bebon, Editor. (2023, September 14). Prevention Is Better than Reaction: 4 Smart Technologies to Secure Your Facility - Facilities Management Advisor. Facilities Management Advisor. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://facilitiesmanagementadvisor.blr.com/security/prevention-is-better-than-reaction-4-smart-technologies-to-secure-your-facility/