9 Tips to Keep Healthcare Workers Safe

Healthcare can be a gratifying profession; by providing essential care to those in need, you can find fulfillment knowing you are improving the world. Patients rely on you, and the fast pace of working in a nursing home, hospital, or private healthcare environment helps the time fly by. 

The safer and happy healthcare workers are, the better they will be able to care for patients in need. This means keeping PPE equipment, including prescription safety glasses, available to staff and incorporating regular safety training. However, working in healthcare also comes with many challenges: long hours, increased workplace violence, and exposure to viruses and diseases, including Covid-19. 

Use these nine tips to keep healthcare workers safe to create the ideal environment for patients and staff at your healthcare facility.        

1. Practice Good Hygiene and Disinfect Surfaces Regularly

Every healthcare worker should keep their station clean and organized and disinfect surfaces regularly. Multi-touch surfaces around the facility, like doorknobs, should be disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of bacteria and germs. Signs should be posted in restrooms reminding both workers and patients to wash their hands.  

2. Wear Full PPE at All Times 

PPE, or personal protective equipment, including gloves, N95 face masks, gowns, and face shields or goggles, should be worn by staff at all times. Workers should replace gloves between patients and properly disinfect and sanitize any reusable PPE equipment. 

While many states have lifted the mask mandate, the CDC and OHSA still recommend facemasks in high-transmission environments. Patients, as well as healthcare workers, should wear facemasks inside any healthcare facility.  

3. Use Prescription Safety Glasses

Many doctors, nurses, x-ray techs, and other healthcare workers may need prescription glasses to see. Wearing prescription glasses and a facemask at the same time can be uncomfortable, especially considering the long shifts of healthcare workers. 

Prescription safety glasses replace the protective plastic shield with prescription lenses. You no longer need to juggle your glasses and goggles to stay protective. Prescription safety glasses are much more comfortable and stylish than traditional face shields while providing the same level of protection from blood and body fluid exposure.    

4. Ensure the Vaccination of Healthcare Workers

Working in healthcare means increased exposure to harmful diseases like Covid-19, hepatitis, and more. Healthcare workers should be up to date with any vaccine-preventable vaccinations to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases to patients, co-workers, family, and friends. 

The CDC recommends healthcare workers stay up to date on the following vaccines. 

• Covid-19 

• Hepatitis B 

• Influenza

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)

• Varicella (Chicken Pox)

• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) 

• Meningococcal (if routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis)

5. Be Mindful of Sharps and Dispose of All Syringes Appropriately 

Many workplace injuries occur when staff improperly handles sharp objects, including syringes and scalpels. Not only could a scalpel or needle cut or poke workers, but often these sharps are contaminated, which could expose or harm healthcare workers. 

Ensure staff properly disposes of any syringes at the point of use in a properly labeled safety box. Avoid recapping needs and use blunted tips on both needles and syringes to decrease the risk of injury.  

6. Organize and Attend Safety Training Programs to Prevent Workplace violence

According to a 2018 study, people who work in healthcare or social services are five times more likely to be injured in a violent incident at work than workers in other professions. Patients may be agitated and put essential healthcare providers at risk of attack. 

Educate your staff by organizing safety training programs focused on preventing workplace violence. Give workers the tools they need to handle violent incidents in your facility, enabling them to keep themselves and other patients safe and avoid the likelihood of injuries.   

7. Curate a Culture of Open Communication

Healthcare workers should understand they have a place where they can communicate safety concerns. Encourage staff to speak up when they see issues to curate a trusting community within your facility.   

8. Prioritize Essential Rest Breaks and Days Off

Maintain safe staffing levels to ensure all employees have the days off they need to recover. Healthcare providers work long hours on their feet. If workers become exhausted, it’s more likely they will make a small mistake that could jeopardize their own safety or that of their patients.  

9. Provide Access to Mental Health Services

Working in healthcare is not easy. Anxiety, depression, and insomnia are, unfortunately, common within the healthcare community. These doctors, nurses, and first responders regularly encounter stressful situations and make life-or-death decisions. 

Strong safety practices go beyond preventing healthcare staff from physical harm. Providing mental health services will help your staff avoid burnout. Take care of your staff as well as your healthcare workers take care of their patients.