Nurses in California and throughout the U.S. are exposed to hazards every day, so preventing injuries and illness should be uppermost in their mind. American Mobile Healthcare offers 10 tips to help in the prevention.
First, nurses should stay healthy through daily exercise and a nutritious diet. The second tip is to obtain sufficient sleep. These two steps ensure a strong immune system and an alert mind. Next, nurses should always take care to wash their hands when on the job. To prevent the transmission of patients’ bodily fluids, they must wear the appropriate protective gear like masks and gowns.
Staying up-to-date on immunizations is essential. Nurses can encounter hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria and more. The sixth tip is to be vaccinated against influenza in particular. The virus can be spread simply through sneezing and coughing.
The seventh tip concerns needle handling. Nurses must be very careful with needles and dispose of them safely. Every year, there are some 385,000 needlestick- and sharps-related injuries reported among hospital workers.
The last three steps are focused mainly on avoiding ergonomic injuries. Rather than manually lift a patient, for instance, use lift and transfer equipment. Practice good mechanics, such as by rotating a task between hands. Offer assistance to co-workers manually lifting a patient or addressing a violent patient.
Whether or not there was a violation of workplace safety standards, employees of virtually any industry who are injured on the job can be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These can provide wage replacement and cover all medical expenses, among other things. Injured nurses who file a workers’ comp claim may want a lawyer to assist them. That way, they could be able to focus more on their physical recovery. The lawyer may help mount an appeal if benefits are denied.