tiable need for speed, says Ms. Pinkham. "You empower nurses to
have a voice, to be able to speak up and say, stop, or let's slow
down," she says. "We've really promoted that here over the years,
and we now have the support of all of our OR leadership, includ-
ing the chief of surgery and the chief of anesthesia. It has become
our norm, our culture."
Clearly, however, not everyone is getting the message. Though
the numbers have improved in recent years, there were still
360,000 reported injuries and illnesses among healthcare workers
in hospitals and surgery centers in 2015, according to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics.
The potential hazards are many and obvious. Every day, health-
care workers trip over cords, get splashed by blood and bodily
fluids, are cut and punctured by scalpels and syringes, are
exposed to radiation, and pull muscles or strain tendons while
trying to lift or move heavy objects and patients. All while con-
stantly aware that time is money, So let's go, go, go.
"There's a lot of pressure on staff by physicians for quick
turnover and this can cause staff to rush," says Nicolette Williams,
RN, CNOR, OR director of the Lakeland (Fla.) Surgical and
Diagnostic Center. "With all the equipment in the OR, there are a
lot of electrical cords on the floor that are a trip hazard. Some of
our falls have come from staff rushing around and tripping."
Sharps top the list
In a recent Outpatient Surgery survey, readers pointed to several
old standbys as the culprits in their most recent employee
injuries. Sharps were No. 1, followed by trips and falls, and lifting
or repetitive injuries.
The challenges related to sharps in particular are underlined by
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