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179 Healthcare: Introduction to Common Hospital Hazards
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Common Hazard Locations

Emergency Room

Surgical tools and machinery aid medical procedures and are critical for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. In most hospitals and medical centers, a trained biomedical and engineering team manages the entire medical inventory and is responsible for dealing with medical equipment hazards.

Injuries may occur to emergency room department employees from improper training or use of specific equipment.

Injuries may occur to emergency room employees from improper training or use of specific equipment (e.g., defibrillators). Electric shock may also occur as a result of poor maintenance or misuse of equipment and its controls. Oxygen-enriched atmospheres and water may contribute to hazardous conditions.

It is important that an emergency department has a program in place to routinely monitor the status of equipment and the proper training of employees to use equipment safely. It is crucial to establish some basic equipment safety and service guidelines.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-1. When considering emergency room equipment, what is crucial to establish to ensure employee safety?