Where would we be without healthcare workers? Their skills and ability to work under pressure help keep our communities going.
Still, working in certain settings, such as a hospital, can be challenging and hazardous.
Common hazards in the hospital
Between 2021-2022, hospitals reported 249,750 injuries and illnesses that required an employee to take time off from work or to work in a modified capacity. Hospital workers deal with a multitude of hazards in a dynamic, ever-changing environment, including:
- Muscle pulls, strains and sprains from lifting and transferring patients, moving equipment and med carts and needing to work in awkward positions
- Slips, trips and falls due to wet floors, crowded rooms and rushing to the next emergency
- Exposure to respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, such as influenza, tuberculosis, norovirus and C-diff
- Needlesticks and the potential for exposure to a bloodborne pathogen, including HIV and hepatitis C
- Rashes and dermatitis from exposure to chemicals used for cleaning and sanitizing
- Violence or aggression from patients or visitors
Hospitals are high-stress environments that operate 24/7. Healthcare workers often work long shifts that are usually understaffed. Sleep deprivation, stress and burnout are common among nurses and nursing assistants.
Hospital administrators are responsible for protecting healthcare workers and providing them with a safe work environment. While they may not be able to ensure a fully staffed shift, they can help by providing the following:
- Training on patient handling, infection prevention and preventing sharps injuries
- Proper resources in the form of equipment for patient lifting personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Employee assistance programs and support for mental health services
Healthcare workers are indispensable. We need to be aware of the challenges they face. When injured, they must take the time they need to recover fully. By rushing back to work, there is an increased risk of re-injury and the possibility of becoming permanently disabled or living a life with chronic pain. Workers’ compensation insurance will cover their medical expenses and lost wages so they aren’t facing financial insecurity in addition to their injury.