Any healthcare facility should be looked at as a place where the public can go when they are hurt or need professional medical assistance. However, slip and fall injuries are a huge deal in healthcare facilities. In fact, incidents of slip and fall injuries are 90 percent greater than that in other public facilities. Therefore, if you manage a healthcare facility, preventing slip and fall cases should be one of your biggest priorities. Unfortunately, there are several common mistakes that healthcare facility managers tend to make when it comes to slip and fall protection.
Mistake: Not training employees to properly dilute cleaning agents.
Why? Cleaning agents that you buy in commercial, bulk form are typically designed to be diluted before use. Using some products at full strength without appropriate dilution can actually leave behind a filmy residue that can make flooring surfaces like tile extremely slippery. Keep signs posted near cleaning stations about proper cleaning chemical usage and train all incoming employees extensively about proper usage of cleaning products.
Mistake: Not offering enough surveillance in high-traffic areas.
Why? High-traffic areas are more prone to seeing spills, trash, and other debris on the flooring. Usually tracked in on the shoes of people passing through, things like mud and rain can leave a potentially hazardous situation behind for the next foot traveler. All areas of the building that have heavy foot traffic should be closely monitored throughout the day, both by maintenance and other employees, to ensure the flooring is clean and safe.
Mistake: Not using certified 'safe' products for cleaning the flooring in the facility.
Why? Products that are designed for use in public facilities for cleaning and traction purposes should be certified safe by the National Flooring Safety Institute. The institute offers a list of products that are safe for providing traction, such as floor mats and traction rugs, but they also offer informative advice about specific cleaning solutions and equipment that is used on flooring in public facilities. Make sure that the products you are using in your facility are up to the NFSI standards.
The bottom line is this: Slip and fall cases in your healthcare facility could end up costing you a fortune if you are not careful to implement safe practices, in medical bills, insurance premiums, and even your reputation as a business. If you would like more information about preventing slip and fall injuries in your healthcare facility, talk to a slip and fall attorney (such as one from Putnam Lieb) for advice.
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