Jill ILIFFE Executive Secretary Commonwealth Nurses Federation. Commonwealth Nurses Federation. A Safe Workplace

Transcription

1 Jill ILIFFE Executive Secretary A Safe Workplace

2 WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY The focus is on the prevention of injuries and the fair and equitable treatment of nurses who are injured at work or develop a work- related illness. Nurses have the right to work in an environment that does not threaten their health, safety or welfare.

3 HAZARDS NURSES FACE Exposure to hazardous drugs and blood borne pathogens Air quality compromised by toxic environmental cleaning substances Heavy lifting and moving of patients and medical equipment,

4 HAZARDS NURSES FACE Workplace violence and abuse (intruders, patients, relatives, other staff) Needle stick injuries Excessively long working hours and heavy workloads

5 WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY A safe nurse, a safe patient, a safe workplace, a safe profession are all encompassed in the concept of workplace health and safety. Workplace health and safety is a PRIORITY requirement for work.

6 WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY Safe work environments Healthy work environments Safe workplace design Safe work processes and systems Safe work procedures and practices Safe patient care

7 1. Safe Work Environments means the existence of: Safe equipment Hygienic conditions Safe walking and working surfaces Freedom from violence Non-hazardous and toxic materials, and if they are present, provision for safe handling, storage and disposal of them

8 2. Healthy work environments Safety measures are in place in relation to blood borne and body fluid pathogens to prevent contamination of nurses and patients Safety measures are in place to protect nurses from other toxic substances (cleaning materials, drugs, toxic waste)

9 3. Safe workplace design Good ergonomics in relation to: Seating Equipment use Adequate lighting Safe entrances and exits (clearly marked, open and well-lit)

10 4. Safe work processes and systems Written and up-to date standards, protocols, policies, procedures Adherence and compliance with these Adequate staffing Safe delegation of duties

11 5. Safe work procedures and practices Lifting techniques Prevention of needle stick and other injuries Adequate break times for nurses to prevent tiredness and increase the risk of medication and other errors

12 6. Safe patient care Safe administration of medication and other skills Competent staff (skilled and knowledgeable) Adherence to proper work standards and ethics

13 Needle Stick Injuries Persons providing routine nursing care (38%) and cleaning (15%)are the most common situations where needle stick injuries occur. Invasive procedures such as injections and venipuncture are the most commonly reported causes of injury.

14

15 Prevention of injury: * Use instruments to retract * Use safety needles and re-cappers * Pass instruments correctly and safely * Use sharps containers and replace before full

16 Risk of infection after needle stick injury Source HBV HCV HIV Risk % 1.8% 0.3% 1:3 1:300

17 The patients rights are the nurses responsibilities (professional, ethical, legal) The nurses rights are the employers responsibilities (liability laws, ILO conventions, labour laws, occupational health and safety legislation)

18 ILO Convention No: 155 Concerning Occupational Safety and Health and the Working Environment. 22 June 1981

19 A nurses right to safety is the employers responsibility The law mandates of the employer: Safe systems of work Safe equipment Competent colleagues

20 Safe systems of work Written practice standards, Written policies, protocols and procedures, Appropriate documentation systems, Systems of accountability for care given, or not given and actions taken, and Adequate staffing systems.

21 Safe equipment Available In good working order Well maintained With staff knowledgeable in its use

22 Competent colleagues Continuing education Fair system of appraisal Supervisors and managers with the necessary skills to manage Requires: recruitment, training, deployment, promotion and retention strategies

23 Workplace or occupational health and safety legislation can provide a framework, but what is required is the development of a culture of safety in health care.

24 SAFE STAFFING LEVELS The environment in which health care is provided influences not only the quality of care delivered but also the safety and well being of the care provider.

25

26

27 Nurses need their sleep and they need their breaks at work The effects of fatigue on the brain from sleep deficiency are similar to those of alcohol Fatigue appears more rapidly with irregular work schedules Risk of accidents is 7 times higher between midnight and 8 am

28 Measures that promote a safe work environment Ongoing employee education Adequate staff so there are reasonable shift lengths and workloads Supervision and support for inexperienced staff Measures to prevent stress, isolation and burnout Adherence to universal precautions Provision of personal protective equipment

29 Nurses, at all levels, need to embrace safety and consider it an integral part to the way work is planned, resourced, performed, monitored and evaluated

30 The challenge for nurses is to further improve work practices to ensure they do not risk their life making a living.