California nurses are integral to helping patients recover from illnesses, conditions and injuries. As recent events have shown, their contribution is essential. Still, there are dangers in this working environment; a nurse could suffer an illness or injury because of their exposure and vulnerability. This can lead to medical expenses, the inability to work and other challenges.
There are strategies that nurses can implement to be protected and maintain safety. Illnesses can be spread by touch, so nurses should make sure to wash their hands regularly. While moving patients might seem faster without lifts and transfer equipment, many nurses have suffered back injuries, neck injuries and torn muscles by doing this manually. In addition, a broad range of patients must be cared for, and some could have issues that lead to violence. There is nothing wrong with asking for assistance to keep everyone safe.
Vaccinations and immunizations are dispensed to patients, but nurses need them too. Preventing infection is sometimes as simple as remembering to get a flu shot and other preventative treatments. Research suggests that hospital workers across the country are stuck by needles more than 1,000 times every day. Proper needle handling and disposal can be helpful. Personal protective equipment, or PPE, includes goggles, masks, gowns and more.
Nurses’ schedules can fluctuate. Having a routine can be hard, but it remains important to get sufficient rest to prevent drowsiness on the job. Finally, the stress of the job can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Paying attention to wellness with exercise, fitness and nutrition is a smart decision.
Although these tactics are useful to nursing safety, accidents still happen. Workers who are injured or ill and are suddenly unable to do their jobs can quickly face massive medical costs, financial distress and an uncertain future. Workers’ compensation benefits are meant to cover these losses. Filing the claim in a timely fashion and providing all the necessary information is imperative to get an approval. If the claim is in dispute or outright denied, having advice from a lawyer may help. Discussing the case with those experienced in workers’ compensation claims is a sound first step.
