Four different examples of accidents and/or sudden illnesses that may occur include: severe bleeding, cardiac arrest, choking and difficulty in breathing, fractures and suspected fractures. The procedure to follow in the event of an accident or sudden illness is as follows:
- To address severe bleeding, apply pressure and, if possible, use a sterile dressing. Apply direct pressure over the wound for 10 minutes. Do not try to remove any objects from the wound.
When attending to a casualty, it is important to lay them down and elevate the affected area if possible, ensuring their comfort and security. Contact the senior registered nurse to evaluate the severity of the injury. In cases of cardiac arrest, check for a pulse and breathing. If absent, urgently seek assistance from a senior registered nurse who will assess the need for emergency services. If trained, initiate resuscitation techniques.
If a person is choking or having difficulty breathing, it is important to first remove any dentures. Next, clear the mouth of any food or vomit by sweeping it out. Encourage the person to cough and if that does not work, gently bend them forward and use the heel of your hand to deliver up to five sharp blows on their back between the shoulder blades. If this method is unsuccessful, you should perform the Heimlich manoeuvre or abdominal thrusts. It is recommended to alternate between backslaps and abdominal thrusts until the obstruction is cleared.
When dealing with a fracture or suspected fractures, the most crucial step is to provide support for the affected area.
Assist the casualty in finding a comfortable position and provide support for the injured limb in that position. Transport the person to the hospital or call an ambulance. Follow these principles for safe moving and handling: avoid hazardous manual handling, conduct a full risk assessment of the load, task, environment, and individual, report any difficulties immediately, adhere to agreed working practices, and use equipment correctly.
The significance of adhering to the care plan and communicating with individuals during assistance and movement is extremely important. This allows us to comprehend their specific requirements and preferences, enabling us to meet them in the most suitable manner. It also guarantees safe and proper movement by involving the individual as an active participant, decreasing the likelihood of injury for all parties involved. Lastly, effective communication and adherence to the care plan ensures a comfortable experience for the individual.
Within a social care environment, staff are responsible for securely storing medication and administering it correctly to ensure optimal effectiveness.
A brief description of the agreed procedures for obtaining, storing, administering, and recording trained and authorized individuals in the correct and labelled containers only. The storage should be under the correct conditions as per instructions in a secure area. It is important for social care workers accompanying individuals on outings to have specialist training before carrying out emergency first aid, assisting with moving and handling, and handling medication. This is to comply with legislation, minimize injury and preserve life, safeguard health and safety, apply agreed working practices, and ensure correct administration of medication.
The text presents a compilation of laws pertaining to health and safety in various settings and relevant food standards. These laws encompass regulations overseen by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), such as the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974. Additionally, there are specific regulations relating to tasks involving moving and handling, including the Manual Handling Operations Regulations of 1992, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998, and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations of 1992. Furthermore, there is a listing of food standards applicable to social care settings which include the Food Safety Regulations of 1995, food safety workplace policy, and the Essential Standards for Quality and Safety.
An overview of the primary health and safety responsibilities includes:
- The social care worker:
- Adhering to received training
- Taking reasonable precautions for their own and others’ well-being
- Cooperating with the employer on matters of health and safety
- Reporting any job-related injuries, strains, or illnesses
- Informing the employer of incidents that may impact their ability to work
- The employer or manager:
- Identifying potential hazards related to the job and implementing preventive measures
Providing necessary training on health and safety for employees
Supplying required equipment and protective clothing
Collaborating with employees and their representatives to ensure workplace well-being
- Individuals utilizing the service:
The text also lists specific work activities that should only be carried out after receiving special training, such as moving and handling and first aid. Additionally, guidance is provided on how to access additional support and information related to health and safety. The first point of contact is one’s line manager; however, if they are unavailable or uncertain, the Health and Safety Executive can provide the necessary information.
The text also mentions Tasc E Infection Control.
1. The body can become infected through various means, including the respiratory route, digestive route, contact with body fluids, contact with individuals with broken skin or wounds, pressure sores, or bleeding.
2. In the workplace, our own health and personal hygiene practices can pose a risk to others. To minimize this risk, individuals should tie back or cover long hair, keep nails short and clean, avoid wearing jewelry where food could get trapped. It is also crucial to wash hands after using the restroom, before and after eating, and after coughing, sneezing or blowing the nose.
3.
To effectively wash your hands, begin by thoroughly wetting them under warm running water and applying liquid soap to the palm. Create a lather by rubbing your hands together, ensuring coverage of the palms, backs, and fingers of both hands. Rinse off the soap with clean water while also rubbing between each finger and around the thumbs. Finally, dry your hands completely using a disposable towel.
For safety during procedures involving bodily contact or when handling body waste or fluids, it is essential to always wear personal protective equipment. This includes wearing gloves and a plastic apron at all times. Wearing an apron helps prevent infection transmission by protecting clothing and reducing the risk of infecting others you may come into contact with.
The plastic apron must be disposable and discarded after each procedure. To ensure environmental safety, certain measures should be taken for different potential hazards. To prevent fire, avoid smoking, do not prop open fire doors, double-check that appliances are turned off, ensure plugs are switched off, and follow a procedure checklist. For preventing gas leaks, double-check that appliances like the cooker and fire are turned off. In case of flooding, know how to turn off the main water supply and make sure taps like those in the bath and sink are turned off after use. To prevent intrusion, be watchful of the building’s security by locking doors and windows, not giving key codes to others, and following a procedure checklist. Stay alert to any security breaches of the building such as doors and windows being compromised and report any concerns promptly.
