Bathroom

Risk of:

• Infection.
• Allergic effects.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to contaminated water aerosols e.g. Legionnaire's disease due to failure to maintain water systems and associated equipment such as thermostatic valves.
• Exposure to pathogenic microorganisms during patient care activities.
• Failure to use standard precautions.
• Mould growth on continually wet surfaces.

Risk of:

• Adverse health effects such as dermatitis or allergy
• Resident/visitor being able to access chemicals.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to cleaning chemicals through inhalation or skin absorption.
• Use of soaps, detergents and disinfectants.
• Lack of personal protective equipment.
• Mixing of incompatible chemicals.
• Chemicals left unattended or not securely stored.

Risk of:

• Musculoskeletal disorders.

Possible causes:

• Adopting awkward or static postures whilst assisting with bathing of resident.
• High contact stress e.g. on knees from kneeling or upper chest when leaning against the bath.

Risk of:

• Musculoskeletal disorders.

Possible causes:

• Lifting too heavy items.
• Over reaching or stretching whilst assisting residents who are unable to move by themselves.
• Lack of or unsuitable manual handling devices for transferring resident.
• Failure to maintain manual handling devices.
• Inadequate space to shower / bathe the resident or use manual handling devices.
• Unexpected movement of the resident.

Risk of:

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

Possible causes:

• Worn or torn flooring.
• Wet and slippery floors.
• Unsuitable footwear.
• Assisting incapacitated residents.

Risk of:

• Burns or scalds.
• Infection e.g. exposure to aerosols contaminated with Legionella bacteria.

Possible causes:

• Failure to treat water appropriately.
• Failure to maintain thermostatic mixing valves.
• Inappropriate method of checking water temperature e.g. using the hand rather than a thermometer.