Bedroom

A non-exhaustive list of some of the common hazards and risks found in bedrooms in nursing homes.

Bedroom

Biological Agents

Risk of:

  • Infection e.g. Legionnaires' disease, blood borne virus.

Possible causes:

  • Direct contact with infected blood or body fluids via needle stick or sharps injury, broken skin or splashes to mucous membranes.
  • Inhalation of airborne droplets of respiratory secretions spread by coughing, sneezing etc.
  • Contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment.
  • Failure to use standard precautions.
  • Stagnation of water system or failure to maintain water system.

Chemical Agents

Risk of:

  • Adverse 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.
  • Mixing incompatible chemicals.

Exposure to:

  • Latex consumables e.g. gloves, catheters.
  • 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.

Electricity

Risk of:

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

Possible causes:

  • Lack of equipment maintenance.
  • Handling sockets or equipment with wet hands.
  • Overloading of sockets.
  • Residents using unsuitable electrical equipment.

Ergonomics

Risk of:

  • Musculoskeletal disorder.

Possible causes:

  • Adopting sustained awkward postures e.g. bending to assist resident feeding, bending whilst making, moving or adjusting beds.

Equipment

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

Risk of:

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

Possible causes:

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

Fire

Risk of:

  • Burns.
  • Smoke inhalation.
  • Death.

Possible causes:

  • People smoking in inappropriate areas.
  • Arson.
  • Obstructed fire escape routes.
  • Resident / visitor introducing electrical item.
  • Contamination of oxygen or nitrous oxide supply system with oil or grease.
  • Malfunctioning medical equipment.

Manual / Patient Handling

Risk of:

  • Musculoskeletal disorders.

Possible causes:

  • Uncooperative resident.
  • Awkward load liable to shift or drop.
  • Preventing resident falling e.g. from a bed or commode chair.
  • Lack of or unsuitable mechanical handling aids.
  • Overexertion from lifting, transferring or repositioning patients.
  • Improper lifting technique.
  • Incorrect sling being used for the hoist.
  • Failure to maintain manual handling devices.

Sharps

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.
  • Cuts from razor blades when assisting residents washing.

Shift Work

Risk of:

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

Possible causes:

  • Changing shifts.
  • Working nights.

Slips,Trips & Falls

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, taclum powder or plastic wrapping.
  • Lack of sockets.
  • Assisting unsteady residents.
  • Poor housekeeping.
  • Unsuitable footwear.

Violence and Aggression

Risk of:

  • Physical injury and / or psychological effects.

Possible causes:

  • Nursing residents especially confused or vulnerable residents.
  • Resident reaction or resistance to nursing procedures or care e.g. taking blood.
  • Aggressive colleagues.
  • Dealing with angry or stressed family members.
  • Robbery due to working where drugs are kept.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of hazards and risks.