1. Chapter 7: Safety and Body Mechanics
Roosevelt Health Science
Clinical Rotations
Successful Nursing Assistant Care, 2nd Ed.

2. Chapter 7 Objectives Define important words
List common accidents in facilities and ways to prevent them
Explain the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Describe safety guidelines for sharps and biohazard containers
Explain the principles of body mechanics and apply them to daily activities
Define two types of restraints and discuss problems associated with restraints
Define the terms “restraint free” and “restraint alternatives” and list examples of restraint alternatives
Describe beginning and ending steps in care procedures
Identify what must be done if a restraint is ordered
List safety guidelines for oxygen use
Identify safety and explain the “RACE” and “PASS” acronyms
List general safety steps to protect yourself and residents in a facility

3. Common Accidents in Facilities
There are many accidents that can occur in a long-term care facility.
Always be on your guard to try to keep patients, other staff, visitors, and yourself safe.
Some common resident accidents include:
Falls
Failing to identify residents before performing procedures or serving food
Burns and scalds
Poisoning
Choking
Cuts

4. How can you prevent someone from falling?

5. Resident Identification
Residents must always be identified before providing care or serving food. Not doing so can result in serious problems, illnesses, and even death.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT CHECKING IDENTIFICATION
Most people are used to seeing armbands as a form of ID on patients in hospitals; however, residents of nursing homes may not wear name bracelets or armbands.
For disoriented or confused residents, some facilities use special bands that have alarms on them. This alarm will sound when a resident tries to leave the facility.
Regardless of the method the facility uses, identify each resident before giving care and serving food every time.

6. Burns and Scalds
Scalds are burns caused by very hot liquids, such as coffee or tea.
It does not take long for a serious burn to occur. When the temperature of liquid reaches 140 degrees F, it can take five seconds or less to cause a burn.
Burns are extremely painful and can require surgery.
Elderly people and people who have a loss of sensation due to paralysis are at the greatest risk for burns.

7. How can you prevent burns and scalds?

8. How can you prevent poisoning?

9. Choking Prevention
Resident must be watched closely during meals for signs of choking.
Residents who are weak or who have dysphagia are at high risk for choking.
Residents who have special diets consisting of thickened liquids, which are easier to swallow.
Inhaling food or drink into the lungs is called aspiration, which can cause pneumonia or death.

10. How can you prevent choking?

11. How can you prevent cuts, scrapes, and other injuries?

12. MSDS MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
OSHA requires that all dangerous chemicals have a MSDS located where all staff can access them.
The MSDS includes info such as:
Chemical ingredients
Dangers of the product
Protective items to wear when using the chemical
The correct method of using and cleaning up a chemical.

13. Sharps and Biohazard Containers
Always wear gloves before touching a sharps container
When dropping an object into the biohazard container, keep your hands above the opening at the top.
When touching a sharps container, touch the bottom of the container only.
Replace the sharps container when it is ¾ full.
Wash your hands after putting anything into the sharps container.
Use the biohazard container for anything contaminated with infectious waste (blood, body fluids, or human tissue), except for anything sharp.
Always wear gloves when disposing of infectious waste.
Wash your hands after putting anything into the biohazard container

14. Body Mechanics

15. Restraints
A restrain is a physical or chemical way to restrict voluntary movement or behavior.
Common physical restraints include a vest restraint, belt restraint, wrist/ankle restraints, and mitt restraint.
Side rails and special chairs, such as geriatric chairs are also considered physical restraints.
Chemical restraints are medications used to control a person’s behavior.
There are many complications of restraint use. Some of the negative effects include:
Bruises and cuts
Pressure sores
Pneumonia
Reduced blood circulation
Risk of suffocation

16. What are some guidelines for patient safety with oxygen?

17. What are some guidelines for dealing with IVs?

18. RACE Remove residents from danger Activate alarm
Contain the fire by closing all doors and windows, if possible
Extinguish the fire, or fire department will extinguish. Evacuate if instructed to do so.

19. PASS PASS describes how to use a fire extinguisher. Pull the pin
Aim at the base of the fire when spraying
Squeeze the handle
Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire.