Safety Measures and Accident Prevention

Safety Measures in the Environment

• Implement safety measures to prevent accidents and injuries
• Use available resources for safety information
• Incorporate accident prevention practices into daily activities

Health Teaching in Schools

• Monitor the child's use of the Internet
• Get involved in school activities and ask pertinent questions
• Volunteer for safety committees that include staff and parents
• Ensure the school's emergency preparedness plan is current

Nursing Responsibilities in Home Safety

• Educate and counsel on safety measures
• Use safety devices to prevent falls
• Consider safety for neonates, toddlers, and preschoolers

Safety Considerations for Neonates

• Avoid behaviors that might harm the fetus
• Never leave the infant unattended
• Use crib rails and monitor setting for objects that are choking hazards
• Use car seats properly and handle infant securely
• Place infant on back to sleep

Safety Considerations for Toddlers/Preschoolers

• Supervise child closely to prevent injury
• Select toys appropriate for developmental level
• Use appropriate safety equipment in the home
• Never leave child alone in the bathtub
• Childproof home environment to prevent poisoning
• Be alert to manifestations of child maltreatment or abuse

Safety Considerations for School-Aged Children

• Help to avoid activities that are potentially dangerous
• Provide interventions for safety at home, school, and neighborhood
• Reinforce teaching about symptoms that require immediate attention
• Continue immunizations as scheduled

Factors Affecting Safety

• Developmental considerations
• Social and lifestyle factors
• Environmental factors
• Sensory perception and mobility
• Ability to communicate and physical and psychosocial health state

Focus of Safety Assessments

• The person: assess history of falls or accidents, assistive devices, and knowledge of family support systems
• The environment: assess potential safety hazards and recognize manifestations of domestic violence or neglect
• Specific risk factors: assess mobility status, ability to communicate, level of awareness or orientation, and sensory perception

Preventing Falls Targeted Solutions Tool (TST)

• The TST is a Falls Toolkit that includes a Falls Prevention Training Program and Improvement Strategies
• The toolkit also includes the Hendrich II Fall Risk Model, which assesses the risk of falls in patients
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is a method used to identify the underlying causes of falls and prevent future occurrences

Fall Scene Investigation (FSI)

• FSI is a process used to investigate the circumstances surrounding a fall
• The investigation includes hourly patient rounding, root cause analysis, and the "Get Up and Go" test

RACE Acronym

• RACE is an acronym that stands for Rescue, Activate, Confine, and Evacuate
• The acronym is used to guide fire safety procedures in healthcare facilities
• The first priority in the RACE acronym is to rescue anyone in immediate danger

Safety Event Reports

• Safety Event Reports must be completed after any accident or incident in a healthcare facility that compromises safety
• The reports describe the circumstances of the accident or incident and detail the patient's response to examination and treatment after the incident

Procedure-Related Accidents

• Examples of procedure-related accidents include administering medications or intravenous solutions, transferring a patient, and changing a dressing
• These accidents can also include applying external heat to a patient's extremity

Liability and Patient Falls

• A nurse whose behavior is reasonable and prudent is unlikely to be found liable if a patient falls, even if injury occurs

Additional Notes

• A side rail is considered a restraint, even if the patient asks for it to be raised to assist in getting into and out of bed