Krysta Jessica Ashley

Help Staff identify safety hazards in the office such as… -- Proper PPE -- OSHA violations -- Needle sticks -- Possible slips/spills -- HIPAA violations -- Proper office procedures for opening and closing. --Help guide employees incase of an emergency. --Robbery prevention

Personal protective equipment is designed to protect the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth and prevents bloodborne pathogens from entering the body. Gloves Mask Gown Goggles/ face shield

Gloves – Reduce contamination to hands but do not prevent needle sticks. Masks – Reduce the risk of contamination to mucous membranes. Gowns – Protect clothing from contamination. Goggles – Reduce the risk of contamination to mucous membranes.

Safety needles Sliding sheath Retractable needles Auto-cover (pre-filled syringes and insulin) Needleless injections Sharps Containers Choose a sharps container that cannot be reopened. Choose a sharps container that cannot easily be broken. Keep the container where it is not likely to fall. Keep the container where patients cannot get to it unsupervised.

Items that go into the sharps container: Broken glass Syringe needles Suture needles Scalpel Blades Capillary tubes Phlebotomy needles IV catheters Anything sharp with body fluids on it

Regulated Medical Wastes That belong in a Sharps Container: Pathological material Potentially Bloody Material Items caked with dried blood Any items that could release OPIM During Procedures: Do not take the needle cover off until ready for use. Do not walk with an opened needle. As soon as a procedure is over activate the safety device. Immediately dispose of needle in sharps container. Test different safety devices to find the one that best fits your office.

Always have the fax machine in a secure location. Always send a cover sheet with any fax out of the office. DO NOT discuss patient information! Always talk to patients in a private area where others cannot hear. Comprehensive Medical Assisting, fifth edition

DO NOT leave a detailed message on a patients answering machine. Only access medical record information on a need to know basis. Have an office privacy official to make sure all HIPAA rules are being followed. Comprehensive Medical Assisting, fifth edition

Never release medical information without the written consent of the patient. DO NOT discuss medical information without patient’s permission if others are present in the room(family, caregivers,etc). Comprehensive Medical Assisting, fifth edition

Spills must be cleaned up as per OSHA guidelines. Wet floor signs need to be used so that patients will know to be more cautious. Make sure to use any PPE when cleaning up biohazard spills. Employees should wear rubber, non-skid soled shoes. Make sure that there are no tripping hazards such as boxes on the floor, or untied shoe laces.

Minimum of two employees within the building. Never take the same route when taking deposit to bank. Conceal deposit while going to bank. Never answer the door during closed business hours. Move vehicles in front of door before closing. Circle around the building in morning before opening. Utilize sharps containers that are not able to be easily broken into. Never give anyone but employees and information regarding procedures for business operation.

1. Name one thing that should go into a sharps container? 2. What is one way you can prevent a slipping hazard? 3. How many people should be inside the building at all times? 4. How can you protect yourself from needle sticks? 5. Where should you keep the fax machine within your facility?

Comprehensive Medical Assisting, fifth edition