Office Safety

KrystaJessicaAshley

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

Purposes of having a safety plan…

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.

GlovesMaskGownGoggles/ face shield

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/personalprotectiveequipment/

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.

PPE cont.

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/personalprotectiveequipment/

Safety needlesSliding sheathRetractable needlesAuto-cover (pre-filled syringes and insulin)Needleless injections

Sharps ContainersChoose 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.

Needle-stick Prevention and safety

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/

http://www.nursingworld.org/safeneedles

Items that go into the sharps container: Broken glassSyringe needlesSuture needlesScalpel BladesCapillary tubesPhlebotomy needlesIV cathetersAnything sharp with body fluids on it

Needle-stick Prevention and safety

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/

http://www.nursingworld.org/safeneedles

Regulated Medical Wastes That belong in a Sharps Container:Pathological materialPotentially Bloody Material Items caked with dried bloodAny 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.

Needle-stick Prevention and safety

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/

http://www.nursingworld.org/safeneedles

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.

Protecting Your Self From HIPAA Violations

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.

HIPAA Violations Continued…

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).

HIPAA Violations Continued…

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.

Slips and Spills

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/slips/slips.html

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.

Robbery Prevention

http://crime.about.com/od/prevent/qt/prevent_robbery.htm

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?

Quiz

References

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/

http://www.nursingworld.org/safeneedles

http://crime.about.com/od/prevent/qt/prevent_robbery.htm

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/slips/slips.html

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/personalprotectiveequipment/

Comprehensive Medical Assisting, fifth edition