Worksite Analysis - ER

Worksite Analysis - ER
Rachel Romo, RVT
Ms. Howell
VETE 4111
September 06, 2015

Worksite Analysis - ER

Summary
Unfortunately, the Emergency Room encompassed more
potential and current hazard circumstances during the OSHA Analysis.
The following issues are numerous, however have every potential for
correction so long as the proper steps are taken. Understandably, the
given square footage that the Emergency and Primary Care Services
currently cohabitate in is the underlying variable cause for failed safety
protocol. The current workspace provides unrealistic expectations for
proper functioning at this caliber of a hospital and must be considered.
The Stat Lab is a small 10 by 8 area designated for multiple
purposes; a back wall of kennels with miscellaneous storage on the top
highlighting the first problem of fire hazards. All items, except for
equipment mounting, should remain at least twelve to eighteen inches
from the ceiling to ensure that the ceiling sprinklers can thoroughly
cover the area. Multiple maps and fire extinguishers are available for
staff and the faculty. Most personnel, depending on the length of time
were aware of the locations of both safety equipment related to fire
hazards, however, the new interns and students did not seem
confident and relied on the staff for the information. Unfortunately,
depending on the time of day would rotate the staff members and not
everyone was confident in the Fire Drill Protocols, which presents the
largest and most important safety issue for this workplace.

Worksite Analysis - ER

The OSHA manual includes four elements for a good health and
safety program for the workplace that includes management and
leadership and employee involvement. Regardless of the magnitude of
safety hazards, the employees of the hospital carry out the created
protocol. Including everyone in the hospital, or in this case, the
department in the Safety Analysis brings forward the level of care
these individuals are providing the patients. If carried out fully, the
safety level of the hospital should be high and in the case of the
Emergency Department, it is lacking at this foundation of safety.
The supervisor is often lacking in presence for the overnight and
weekend crew, which results in a lack of communication, leaving
cracks for the safety protocol to slip through. The employees are
responsible for informing the Veterinary Students the protocol on how
to properly handle a patient with an infectious organism to prevent
spreading throughout the hospital. The current construction to the
entrance of the hospital and the lack of training of the staff are major
flaws in the efficiency of protocol follow-through in this department.
Management training and potentially reorganization is mandatory for
this department to regain organization of this team.
Multiple sharps containers are available for appropriate disposals
of needles and drugs, although some of the staff is unsure of the
protocol for disposing of the container when it has reached its
maximum capacity. Proper labels are on all cleaning solutions with

Worksite Analysis - ER

appropriate information; however there is not a written documentation

of the expiration protocol. This task is often completed by whoever is
available and not always on time.
Inventory is chaotic and unorganized for the majority of the
quantity. Everyone does not rotate stock and many items have
collected dust, discoloration begun or lost the packaging integrity. The
staff responsible for this duty has not effectively nor thoroughly
communicated between staff members the organization and process.
This is critical to ensure old equipment and items are not a risk to the
health and safety of the patient or employees.
Overall, the organization of the training is seriously disappointing
and has resulted in inconsistencies between staff members of
knowledge of safety protocol. This should be corrected with a meeting
or several to cover all basic protocols until everyone is on the same
page. Distribution of duties and responsibilities should be equally
divided between team members and rotated to ensure everyone is
qualified to teach new personnel.

Worksite Analysis - ER

References
Kappil, DVM, Molly, Cherian, M.S., Thomas (2015). OSHA Manual for
Veterinary Healthcare Facilities, 31-32.