The Main Risks in the Hospital Sector

Hospital safety

Safety in the hospital cannot be neglected, it is indeed essential to periodically carry out a risk assessment that allows us to identify all those cognitive and operational situations that can lead to or cause potentially dangerous risk factors for the health and safety of staff during the performance of their work duties.

This is a complex assessment that requires a series of operations for each workplace, both successive and consecutive, which must include three main factors:

• the identification of sources of risk;
• the identification of the consequent exposure risks;
• and how risky the exposure is.

In healthcare facilities, risks are divided into physical, chemical and biological risks, which are difficult to find in other sectors.

Healthcare Environment: Physical Risks

In a healthcare environment the risks to take into consideration are different and multiple, among the most significant ones that a professional can incur, we find physical risks.

Physical risks can be caused by several factors:

• noise, which has now become one of the most important problems that often causes deafness. The harmful effects that noise can cause on employees can depend on the strong intensity, frequency and duration of exposure to noise. These are effects that can be distinguished into:

• • auditory effects that affect the hearing organ causing hearing loss;
  • extra-auditory effects that generate insomnia, loss of concentration, irritability, etc.

• vibrations, produced by rapid oscillations of small amplitude from which it is possible to distinguish two risk criteria: the first concerns low frequency vibrations often found in vehicle drivers; the second criterion is inherent to vibrations with high frequencies, which are very frequent in professions that use manual percussion instruments and tools. These cause harmful effects on the joints and cause psychophysical fatigue and circulation problems.
• the microclimate, this noun defines the environmental parameters that influence the thermal exchanges between the subject and the environment in confined spaces which determine the «thermal well-being», such as for example the purity of the air, the temperature, the relative humidity, the level of pollution and the speed of the air. The microclimate is linked to a series of structural characteristics of the building. Consequently, if it is not possible to implement all or part of the conditions listed, it is necessary to resort to ventilation and in exceptional cases localized ventilation is essential.
• lighting refers to the degree of lighting that affects visual fatigue. It is essential to meet the specific needs of operators to ensure safety and well-being. It is always preferable to exploit natural light, if this is not possible the objectives to be pursued are:

• • create a pleasant alternation of luminances and colors which contributes both to the well-being of operators and to the reduction of stress;
  • illuminate spaces correctly to be able to perceive objects clearly;
  • and finally, provide excellent safety conditions that guarantee ease of movement.

• radiation, one of the major physical risks to which the healthcare sector is exposed. These are particles and electromagnetic waves with a highly penetrating power in matter which allows the electrons they encounter on their path to jump from one atom to another. Constant exposure can cause very serious damage and lead to death.

Healthcare Environment: Chemical Risks

Chemical risk refers to the exposure of healthcare personnel to harmful drugs such as anticancer medicines and inhalation of dust contaminated by chemical substances. Handling antibiotics of this type can cause possible allergic effects, which is why it is good practice to always use personal protective equipment, such as gloves, and avoid the environmental dispersion of dust, solutions and aerosols.

It is necessary that these drug administration and preparation operations are carried out in compliance with certain procedures, such as:

• the aforementioned materials must be disposed of as special hospital waste;
• as regards drugs in ready-made solutions, the operator must ensure that the vial is empty and that it is broken and wrapped with gauze; after the consequent breakage the drug must be aspirated and introduced into the bottle;
• at the end of the procedure the operator must label the bottle with the patient’s data, the type of drug and the dosage;
• when administering to the patient, the operator must pay the utmost attention and avoid accidental contacts which could put him at serious risk;
• all materials and linen used by patients must be collected using gloves and placed in separate, hermetically sealed bins.

Other chemical risks that healthcare workers could encounter include:

• detergents and disinfectants;
• chemicals;
• medicinal gases;
• allergenic organic macromolecules, in particular exposure to latex;
• smoking.

These are substances, materials and drugs that healthcare workers inevitably have to deal with, but with due care and following the protocols, the potential risks that could cause irreparable damage can be avoided, or at least reduced.

Healthcare Environment: Biological Risks

Biological risk in the healthcare environment is closely related to the activity of the healthcare worker as it involves close contact with patients, possible carriers of infectious diseases. Unfortunately, the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms can occur via the mucocutaneous, airborne, blood and oral routes. Biological risk can usually be distinguished into:

• cumulative risk and therefore dependent on the possibility of coming into contact with pathogenic biological agents during work;
• accident risk linked to accidental situations.

In any case it is appropriate, as well as mandatory, to follow the universal health precautions of the hospital which include:

• wash your hands carefully in case there is accidental contact with blood and/or biological fluids;
• use gloves;
• use protective gowns;
• use protective masks and glasses;
• scalpels and sharps must be used with caution and thrown into the appropriate containers
• biological samples must be placed and transported in the appropriate containers

Healthcare Environment: Transversal or Organizational Risks

Alongside physical, chemical and biological risks, there are also transversal risks. These are accidents that can occur at work and which fall within the psycho-social risk factors.

Among these are:

• night work;
• burnout;
• harassment;
• mental stress;
• but also injuries due to slipping or mobilization of patients.

It is certainly necessary to take the right precautions as in the case of carrying out patient mobilization it is important to use correct maneuvers and use appropriate mechanical aids or, in the case of slipping, use well-fitting shoes with rubber soles. But above all, it is necessary and obligatory to take out an insurance policy that covers the risks and damages that can unfortunately occur in a delicate environment such as the healthcare one.

As defined by the Gelli law, healthcare workers must take out insurance that protects them not only from claims for compensation coming from patients but also from the very structure for which they work. In this way it is possible to avoid situations that can be unpleasant and negatively compromise the professional’s work.

For this reason, Lokky offers healthcare professionals a tailor-made guarantee. The Doctors’ RC policy adapts to the specific needs of doctors based on the role assumed and the medical branch chosen as a specialization. 100% personalized and digital coverage, without additional costs and guarantees.