Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 33: Safety and Hygiene

Why is safety important?

Safety is important to prevent illnesses and accidents, which may lead to death or disability and increased costs of health care.

What is the relationship between safety for health care workers and safety for clients?

Health care workers and clients are exposed to similar hazards in health care settings, such as equipment injuries, chemical injuries, and infections. Health care workers are vulnerable to needle sticks, contracting respiratory or skin infections, chemical injuries, and exposure to latex sensitivity. Clients are vulnerable to injuries related to falls, equipment, chemicals, medications, or careless aseptic technique. Nurses are responsible for protecting themselves and clients from injury and disease.

How is the OSHA Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) used at the worksite?

The MSDS for each route of exposure for chemicals or routes of disease transmission is kept at each worksite as part of the organization’s safety documents. A MSDS is an informational sheet used to caution employees about a specific work hazard.

What is the mechanism by which latex glove allergies occur, and how can they be prevented?

The latex protein that causes allergies binds to the powder in latex gloves and becomes airborne. The latex particles are carried in the powder, where they become an inhalation hazard. Latex inhalations can lead to the development of latex sensitivity and cause dermatitis on the hands or even an anaphylactic reaction. Latex allergies can be prevented by providing nonlatex, non-powdered gloves.

What are nursing standards to assure that clients will receive safe health care, free of preventable injuries?

Nursing standards to assure that clients will receive safe health care, free of preventable injuries, include (1) performing a client injury risk appraisal on admission; (2) eliminating or modifying risks when possible; (3) implementing environmental precautions, such as assisting with mobility; (4) using infection control practices; (5) maintaining intravenous access according to protocols; (6) implementing emergency measures in accordance with American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support; (7) knowing and complying with institutional safety guidelines; (8) implementing emergency measures during fires and disasters; (9) using equipment according to manufacturer guidelines and institutional policy and procedures; and (10) using a multidisciplinary approach to enhance client safety.

What are examples of hazard exposure controls (substitution, engineering control, administrative control, and personal protective equipment)?

Examples of substitution include using a safety syringe rather than the traditional syringe to prevent needle sticks, and nonlatex, non-powdered gloves rather than the typical latex gloves. Examples of engineering control include ventilation in negative pressure isolation rooms, lift equipment, ventilation hoods, adjustable carts, adjustable keyboard trays, and safe needle devices. Examples of administrative control include training, labeling, reporting of unsafe conditions, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), good housekeeping, checking and maintaining equipment, using policies and procedures, worker rotation (to decrease physical or mental stress), and task variation. Examples of personal protective equipment include gloves, respirators, shoe coverings, gowns, surgical masks, goggles, safety glasses, and ear plugs.

What are the differences between standard and transmission-based precautions?

Standard precautions apply to all clients, regardless of whether or not they have an infection. Standard precautions apply to blood; all body fluids, secretions, and excretions, except sweat; nonintact skin; and mucous membranes. They consist of handwashing and gloves, plus additional protective clothing and equipment, such as goggles or mask, based on the exposure risk of the task.

Transmission-based precautions include airborne, droplet, and contact precautions. Airborne precautions are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of airborne disease carried on dust or microscopic moisture particles. They consist of using a private room with negative air pressure or high efficiency filtration, with the door closed; the N-95 respirator; and limited transport of the client from the room. Contact precautions prevent the transmission of disease by direct or indirect skin-to-skin contact. They consist of using a private room, wearing gloves when in contact to the client, and wearing gowns when in close contact to the client.