EMPLOYEE WELCOME GUIDE 17 CULTURE OF SAFETY Hazard Communication Program In compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) “Right to Know Law,” hazardous material information is now obtained by calling the 24-hrs/day, 7days/week phone service (888- 362-7416). This phone number is found on all the phones in Cone Health. Safety data sheets (SDS) are also located on the Cone Health homepage. These sheets provide valuable information about any chemicals you may be working with while at Cone Health. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the location and types of personal protective equipment in your work areas. Environment of Care Environment of Care policies are found on the Cone Connects, Policies and Procedures page. These plans include safety management, security management, hazardous materials/waste management, emergency preparedness, life safety, equipment safety and utility management. Know the plan for the department in which you are providing services. Just Culture Cone Health embraces an environment that supports open communication, reporting mistakes, making employees feel safe in reporting and learning from errors, designing safe systems and appropriately holding employees accountable for their behaviors. Infection Control – Employee Health It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the Infection Control/Employee Health Policies located on Cone Connects. • In the event of an injury or a bloodborne pathogen exposure, either the Charge Nurse, Assistant Director, Director or Administrative Coordinator (AC) is notified immediately and a Visitor’s Incident Report form is completed in the Safety Zone Portal on the homepage. • If medical treatment is required, follow the procedures for each campus. • Federal law now requires the use of sharps safety devices such as needless IV tubing, safety lancets and safety devices for IM and subcutaneous injections. • Individual containers of blood less than 20 ml or other waste such as dressings contaminated with blood or body fluids may be placed in the regular trash. Tuberculosis Training (Symptoms and Precautions) Tuberculosis symptoms include persistent cough, bloody sputum, weight loss and night sweats. If a patient displays these symptoms, place a surgical/ isolation mask on the patient until you can remove him/ her to a negative pressure room. For more details, refer to the Tuberculosis (TB) Management Plan. Health Care-Associated Infection/Events and Prevention • 10 out of 100 hospitalized patients get a health care- associated infection (World Health Organization). • 441,000 patients contract one of five health care- associated infections each year, and about 50% of these infections are avoidable. • Two of the most effective infection prevention techniques include hand hygiene, cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene. • Others include safe handling of laundry, patients on precautions/safe transportation, and handling of dirty patient equipment/devices.