Ward

Risk of:

• Infection e.g. Legionnaires' disease.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to infectious patients.
• Failure to use standard precautions.
• Stagnation of water system.
• Failure to maintain water system.

Risk of:

• Health effects such as allergies, eye irritation, dermatitis, birth defects, cancer.
• Fire, explosion, hit by flying projectiles.
• Suffocation.

Possible causes:

• Eating and drinking in inappropriate areas.
• Needlestick injuries.
• Failure, rupture or leakage of compressed gas cylinders or fittings.
• Insecure or unrestrained gas cylinders.

Exposure to:

• Latex consumables.
• Medications or excreted, unmetabolised drugs in patient's urine or faeces.
• Hazardous drugs due to inhalation from over pressurised vials or connecting and disconnecting intravenous tubing.
• Hazardous risk waste.
• Detergents and disinfectants.

Risk of:

• Burns.
• Electric shock.
• Death.
• Fire.

Possible causes:

• Lack of equipment maintenance.
• Handling sockets or equipment with wet hands.
• Overloading of sockets.

Risk of:

• Bruises.
• Physical injury.

Possible causes:

• Lack of space.
• Collision with objects. for example, poor siting of linen or meal trolleys.
• Inadequate lighting causing falls or collisions.

(such as wheelchairs, pump beds, electrical equipment).

Risk of:

• Cuts and bruises.
• Electric shock.
• Crushing injuries.

Possible causes:

• Caught in moving parts.
• Lack of training.
• Lack of maintenance and thorough examination.

Risk of:

• Burns.
• Smoke inhalation.
• Death.

Possible causes:

• Patients smoking.
• Arson.
• Obstructed fire escape routes.
• Patient / visitor introducing electrical item / sparking toys into oxygen enriched environment.
• Contamination of oxygen or nitrous oxide supply system with oil or grease.
• Malfunctioning medical equipment.

Risk of:

• Genetic damage.
• Reproductive damage.

Possible causes:

• Unsafe work practices when caring for patients who have received therapeutic amounts of radionuclides.

Risk of:

• Musculoskeletal disorders.

Possible causes:

• Uncooperative patient.
• Awkward load liable to shift or drop.
• Preventing patient falling e.g. from a bed or commode chair.
• Lack of or inappropriate mechanical handling aids.
• Overexertion from lifting, transferring or repositioning patients.
• Improper lifting technique.
• Incorrect sling being used for the hoist.
• Unmaintained hoists.

Risk of:

• Puncture wound.
• Infection.

Possible causes:

• Needle stick or sharp instrument injury whilst carrying out nursing activities e.g. taking blood.
• Handling of broken glass or porcelain.

Risk of:

• Digestion problems.
• Heart disease.
• Sleep problems.

Possible causes:

• Changing shifts.
• Working nights.

Risk of:

• Minor injuries such as cuts to major injuries such as broken bones, concussion and even death.

Possible causes:

• Trailing cables, loose medical tubing or nurse call bells, phone cords or computer cables.
• Wet slippery surfaces e.g. due to leaking soap dispensers, water, urine or food.
• Dry slippery surfaces e.g. due to dust or plastic wrapping.
• Lack of sockets.
• Assisting unsteady patients.
• Poor housekeeping.

Risk of:

• Psychological disorders.
• Health effects.

Possible causes:

• Poor work organisation.
• Dealing with intense emotional situations or bereaved family.
• Making life or death decisions.
• Shift work.
• Time pressure.
• Excessive work load.
• Combative patients.
• Role ambiguity.
• Poor management ability.
• Inadequate resources e.g. staffing levels.
• High or unrealistic patient expectations.
• Bullying.

Risk of:

• Physical injury and / or psychological effects.

Possible causes:

• Nursing patients especially confused or vulnerable patients.
• Patient reaction to nursing procedures e.g. taking blood.
• Aggressive colleagues.
• Dealing with angry, stressed patients or family members.

For further information on related controls click here.