Safety Information

While you are in the hospital for this program, you will need to know how to keep yourself and others safe. You also need to know what to do in case of an emergency.

Patient Safety
A few of the measures hospital staff take to ensure our patients stay safe include: 

• Check the patient's arm band for proper identification
• Assess all patients for fall risk and place on the SAFE (Staff Against Falls Everywhere) Protocol as needed
• Keep patient care areas free from clutter to decrease the chance of falls
• Follow manufacturer and hospital policy for proper use of restraints
• Place call lights within the patient's reach
• Keep beds low and locked unless direct patient care is in progress
• Campus-wide Security teams operate around the clock to protect patients, visitors, and staff

Infection Control
Standard infection control precautions are used by all employees and volunteers to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, and staff. These precautions prevent the spread of germs and disease.

The number one way to stop the spread of disease is hand washing. Hands are to be washed before and after contact with patients or their belongings. Hand hygiene must be performed before entering and after exiting patient rooms.

To effectively wash your hands, follow these steps:

• Use soap, water, friction, and towels
• Scrub for a minimum of 15 - 30 seconds
• Give special care to frequently-missed areas such as sides of hands, thumbs, between fingers, under fingernails, and under rings

There are also hand hygiene products in dispensers around the hospital. Feel free to use these as needed.

Lifting and Ergonomic Safety
Ergonomics is the study of body mechanics and adapting equipment to promote comfort and health. Ergonomic injuries are usually associated with overuse caused by repetitive motion, strain, or stress. 

It is your responsibility to use good body mechanics in your volunteer service and to report ergonomic concerns or problems to your supervisor. Ergonomic assessments are performed by Employee Health and are a service available to volunteers as well as employees.

Good body mechanics include the following:

• Keep your back straight when lifting.
• Bend at the knees - not at the waist - to ensure you use your strong leg muscles to lift.
• Keep the load close to your body to decrease the pressure on your back muscles.
• Use appropriate rest periods to give your back a chance to rest.
• Know your lifting limits and get help when you need it.
• Follow these hospital lifting standards:
  • < 50 pounds = 1 person
  • 51 - 100 pounds = 2 persons
  • 101 - 150 pounds = 3 persons or a lift device
  • 151 - 200 pounds = 4 persons or a lift device
  • > 200 pounds = lift device required
    

Fire Safety
If there is a fire, there must be a quick response to ensure everyone stays safe.

Remember the acronym RACE if there is ever a fire in your area:

If you need to use a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS: