Logan Reid
Hospitals are places for healing and recovery, but they can also be surprisingly dangerous for healthcare workers. Healthcare workers face a multitude of risks, from lifting and moving patients to needlesticks, slips, trips, and falls. The dynamic and unpredictable nature of hospitals, coupled with caregivers' ethical duty to do no harm, often leads to workers putting their own safety at risk to help patients. This results in a high rate of injuries and illnesses, with hospitals incurring significant costs in workers' compensation, staffing, and decreased productivity. To enhance worker safety, hospitals must address foundational safety measures, ensure proper staffing levels to reduce burnout and fatigue, and provide ongoing training on safe patient handling procedures. Additionally, video surveillance and technology platforms that integrate with security systems can play a crucial role in deterring theft and enhancing overall safety in healthcare facilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hazards | Lifting and moving patients, needlesticks, slips, trips, falls, agitated or combative patients or visitors, overexertion or bodily reactions, musculoskeletal injuries, fractures, bruises, skin tears, back injuries |
| Injury and Illness Rates | In 2011, there were 253,700 work-related injuries and illnesses in U.S. hospitals, a rate of 6.8 per 100 full-time employees. In 2019, this number decreased to 221,400 injuries and illnesses, with a rate of 5.5 per 100 full-time employees. |
| Regulatory Requirements | HIPAA, state privacy laws, two-party consent laws |
| Safety Measures | Video surveillance, advanced technology, safe handling practices, mechanical lift equipment, safer medical devices (e.g., sharps with engineered sharps injury protections and needleless systems), safety and health management systems |
| Training | Onboarding training, continuous safety training workshops, online certificate testing |
| Workplace Culture | Support systems for employees, adequate staffing, well-being, joy, and happiness, open communication |
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What You'll Learn
Lifting and moving patients
Hospitals are challenging environments to work in and are a common venue for worker injuries. Lifting and moving patients is one of the most significant hazards that hospital workers face. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly half (48%) of injuries resulting in days away from work are caused by overexertion or bodily reactions, such as lifting, bending, or reaching. These motions often relate to patient handling, and the resulting injuries are often musculoskeletal in nature.
To prevent injuries when lifting and moving patients, it is crucial to follow safe handling practices and use proper patient handling equipment. OSHA recommends educating caregivers on the use of mechanical lift equipment and ensuring that all relevant workers are trained to use this equipment properly. Mechanical lifts can be particularly useful when transferring patients from a bed to a wheelchair or stretcher, as these transfers can be challenging and require a good understanding of the patient's needs.
When transferring a patient from a bed to a stretcher, it is generally recommended to have 3-4 providers assisting. The providers should avoid using their weight to lift the patient and instead allow the patient to use their strength during the transfer when possible. It is important to keep the patient's weight close to the provider's center of gravity and ensure that the patient does not wrap their arms around the provider's head. After the transfer, the patient should be made comfortable and covered with sheets, and the stretcher height should be adjusted as needed.
In some cases, a one-person assist may be sufficient for a bed-to-wheelchair transfer if the patient can bear weight on both lower extremities and take small steps. However, if the patient cannot meet these criteria, a two-person transfer or a mechanical lift may be necessary to ensure the safety of both the patient and the caregivers. Additionally, proper hand hygiene and communication with the patient are essential during any patient transfer to maintain continuity of care.
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Needlestick and sharps injuries
The CDC estimates that about 385,000 needlestick or "sharps" injuries occur annually in US hospitals, with nurses being the most frequently injured group. However, these injuries are not limited to nurses and can occur in any healthcare facility, affecting surgeons, emergency medical technicians, surgery technologists, laboratory personnel, and housekeeping staff.
To address this issue, Congress passed the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act in 2001, mandating the use of safer medical devices with engineered sharps injury protections and needleless systems. As a result, there has been a significant decrease in sharps injuries in non-surgical settings. Hospitals have also implemented policies and protocols to prevent needlestick injuries, including occupational health and safety programs that monitor and identify high-risk procedures and recommend safety maneuvers.
It is essential for hospital workers to receive continuous education and training on the safe use of sharps and needles, as well as the potential consequences of needlestick injuries. Sharps injury prevention programs should focus on eliminating or reducing needle use and utilizing safety-engineered devices, such as protected needle devices and needle-free systems with self-sealing ports and syringes. Additionally, used needles should be disposed of promptly in designated puncture-resistant containers to prevent injuries to other workers.
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Slips, trips, and falls
Hospitals are challenging environments to work in, and slips, trips, and falls are a common cause of worker injuries. In 2011, US hospitals recorded 253,700 work-related injuries and illnesses, with a rate of 6.8 injuries per 100 full-time employees—nearly twice the rate for private industry as a whole. Slips, trips, and falls are particularly prevalent in nursing care facilities, where workers experience more of these injuries than in other industries. A study of six nursing homes found that 86 slip, trip, and fall-related workers' compensation claims were filed over an 8-year period, with most attributed to hazards such as liquid contamination on the floor, objects on the floor, or ice/snow in parking areas.
To prevent slips, trips, and falls in hospitals, it is important to keep floors clean and dry, and to immediately report and clean up any spills, especially those containing blood or other potentially infectious materials. Non-slip surfaces can be created using no-skid waxes and surfaces coated with grit, particularly in slippery areas such as toilets and showers. In addition, keeping aisles and passageways clear, wide, and well-lit can help reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Any temporary electrical cords that cross aisles should be taped or anchored to the floor, and good housekeeping procedures should be followed, including cleaning only one side of a passageway at a time.
Using proper patient handling equipment and safe handling practices can also help to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Nearly half (48%) of injuries resulting in days away from work are caused by overexertion or bodily reactions, such as lifting, bending, or reaching, often related to patient handling. By using mechanical lift equipment and following safe practices, the risk of injuries from slips, trips, and falls can be reduced.
Additionally, promoting safe work practices in cramped working spaces and when using ladders can help prevent slips, trips, and falls. Workers should be instructed to avoid awkward positions and use equipment that makes lifts less awkward. When using ladders, only properly maintained ladders should be used, and stools, chairs, or boxes should not be used as substitutes. By following these practices and implementing prevention programs, the incidence of slips, trips, and falls in hospitals can be significantly reduced.
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Surveillance and safety
Hospitals are hazardous workplaces with unique challenges that contribute to the risk of injury and illness for workers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), hospitals recorded around 253,700 work-related injuries and illnesses in 2011, with a rate of 6.8 work-related injuries and illnesses for every 100 full-time employees. This is almost twice the rate for private industry. The most common hazards include lifting and moving patients, needlesticks, slips, trips, falls, and agitated patients or visitors, in addition to a dynamic and unpredictable environment.
To enhance worker safety, hospitals employ various measures, including the use of video surveillance and security systems. Video surveillance systems are crucial in today's healthcare environment, contributing to a safer environment for patients, staff, and sensitive medical assets. Security cameras help protect vulnerable patients, safeguard controlled substances, and address the increasing incidence of workplace violence against healthcare workers. They also provide objective documentation of incidents, aiding in dispute resolution, defending against unfounded claims, and supporting legitimate ones.
Video surveillance is particularly important in high-risk areas such as emergency departments, triage and reception areas, pharmacies, medication dispensing areas, parking structures, waiting areas, isolation rooms, infant care units, and behavioral health units. These areas often experience heightened emotions, security incidents, and potential conflicts, making surveillance coverage and integrated emergency communication systems essential for comprehensive security.
In addition to video surveillance, OSHA provides resources and training programs to educate hospital management and staff about the inherent risks of hospital work. They emphasize the importance of proper patient handling equipment use and safe handling practices to prevent injuries, especially those related to overexertion and musculoskeletal issues. By implementing these measures and fostering a culture of safety, hospitals can improve worker safety and create a more secure environment for all stakeholders.
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Worker fatigue and burnout
Hospitals are challenging environments to work in, with caregivers facing a duty to "do no harm" to patients, which can result in them putting their own safety and health at risk. Worker injuries in hospitals are common, with US hospitals recording 253,700 work-related injuries and illnesses in 2011, a rate almost twice as high as private industry as a whole. The most common causes of these injuries include lifting and moving patients, needlesticks, and slips, trips, and falls.
Burnout syndrome is a psycho-social disorder that develops due to chronic stress on the job. It is characterized by feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one's job, and reduced professional efficacy. In the case of healthcare workers, burnout can lead to dysregulation of multiple physiological systems, known as allostatic overload, which can predispose them to non-communicable diseases.
To address worker fatigue and burnout, it is important to implement measures such as structured psychological counseling and promoting healthy lifestyle patterns. Additionally, systemic changes are necessary, such as reducing administrative workloads and addressing payment issues. By tackling these issues, hospitals can improve the wellbeing of their workers and reduce the negative impact on patients.
Furthermore, patient handling and lifting contribute significantly to worker injuries and fatigue. To mitigate this, proper training in using mechanical lift equipment is essential. Educating patients and their families about the benefits of mechanical equipment for their safety and the workers' safety can also facilitate safe handling practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospitals are hazardous workplaces and are considered one of the most challenging environments to work in. In 2019, US hospitals recorded 221,400 work-related injuries and illnesses, a rate of 5.5 injuries per 100 full-time employees, almost twice the rate for private industry. The most common risks include lifting and moving patients, needlesticks, slips, trips, falls, and agitated patients or visitors.
Hospitals should take action to minimise or eliminate identified safety and security risks. This includes implementing safety and health management systems, enhancing safe patient handling programs, and providing proper training to all employees. Video surveillance and advanced technology can also assist in enhancing workplace safety and security. Additionally, hospitals should invest in the psychological and emotional safety of their workers, ensuring they feel supported and cared for.
Nearly half of the injuries in hospitals are caused by overexertion or bodily reactions during patient handling. Hospitals can reduce these risks by educating caregivers on the use of proper patient handling equipment and implementing safe handling practices. This includes the use of mechanical lift equipment, which can help prevent injuries to both caregivers and patients.
