Health care workers go into the field to help the injured and sick, but they often experience injuries and burnouts in the workplace. You must be aware of these problems if you work in the health care industry or manage health care professionals. Use the tips below to help prevent work injuries and to educate your staff. You must also review your workers’ compensation benefits so that you may receive coverage when it is needed.
Injuries Among Health Care Workers
Health care workers should be aware of injuries and issues that commonly occur at work. You might experience any of these types of injuries irrespective of how long you have been working in the industry:
- Exposure
- Stress
- Workplace violence
- Strain due to lifting and manual labor
- Cuts
- Punctures
- Trauma
- Broken bones
- Chronic pain
- Bruises
Medical professionals often feel that injuries and emotional issues are commonplace and should be ignored. The patient comes first, but you cannot help people if you are suffering. If injuries occur in the workplace, they should be reported to your supervisor.
Steps Medical Workers Should Take to Prevent Injuries
Medical workers often forget about their own needs as they prioritize their patients. While this is a noble aspect of the job, it prevents health care workers from remaining healthy. Health care workers should understand how to recognize injuries, mental breakdowns, and extreme fatigue before it is too late. If you work in the health care field, you should be mindful if you are:
- Irritable
- Anxious
- Not sleeping
- Not following proper procedures at work because of fatigue
- Cannot focus
- Feel depressed
- Feel as though you are grieving
- Have considered or have started abusing substances
You are at a greater risk for injury when you feel depleted, and you should take steps to remove yourself from the situation or get help if you are not well. As previously mentioned, workplace injuries should be reported to your supervisor so that you can be covered.
How Can Medical Facilities Prevent Injuries?
Medical facilities should enact policies to protect workers and patients. Medical facilities should create patient handling policies that addresses employees’ needs. There should be a training program that helps prevent workplace violence, workplace injuries involving needles, and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Medical offices can use training created by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to help manage long hours and shift work. Health care workers can take the course on their own, or you might suggest this course to your supervisor. Reporting for all injuries and mental issues should be as transparent as possible. You may also be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or any other adverse mental effects caused by your work.
Downingtown Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC Help Injured Health Care Workers in Their Time of Need
Our professional Downingtown workers’ compensation lawyers at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC serve health care workers who have been injured or suffered from trauma at work. If you are an injured worker, call us at 610-594-1600 or contact us online to schedule a free case consultation. Located in Exton, Pennsylvania, we proudly service injured health care workers in Downingtown, West Chester, Exton, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchlan Township, Parkesburg, Chester Springs, Lancaster County, Reading, and Morgantown.