If you’re working as a nurse, there could be times when you encounter situations that aren’t as ideal as others. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to stay as safe as possible to prevent injuries to yourself and to keep others around you safe.
Needles
Whether it’s giving an injection or starting an IV, part of nurse safety is how you work with needles. Try not to rush through a procedure as this can decrease the risk of accidentally sticking yourself or sticking the patient in the wrong area. Your fingers should be behind the needle as it’s inserted, disposing of the needle and syringe in the proper container once you’re finished.
Handling Patients
When you move patients, there’s a risk that you could pull a muscle or injure yourself in another way if you don’t use the proper techniques. As a part of nurse safety, try to get someone else to help you when moving patients, especially those who are obese or who have severe injuries that need to be kept still. Comfortable shoes with proper support are beneficial to wear so that your legs and back are supported.
Infections
Whether you work in a hospital or a doctor’s office, there’s a possibility that you could contract an infection. While working with patients, you want to wear gloves, a face shield, and other pieces of protective equipment to decrease the risk of infection. You can also get vaccines that offer protection for your body as well, such as the flu vaccine.
Learn more about staying safe as a nurse by contacting Sharp Fluidics.
