Illinois Institute of Nursing Studies
Laboratory Safety Manual Document and Form
INTRODUCTION:
This Laboratory Safety Manual provides guidelines and policies to be followed while in any of the nursing labs. Good judgment should also be used at all times. The IINS Administrator, Ginny Aulik, serves as the school's primary resource for faculty and lab personnel, and should be consulted as needed for issues related to safety.
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
In order to provide a safe environment, all students must adhere to the safety guidelines found in this Safety Manual as well as all School of Nursing rules and regulations. Failure to adhere to safety guidelines can result in disciplinary action. This packet will be available electronically on the school's website, and a hard copy will be placed in each lab.
Following review of the Laboratory Safety Manual, students are required to sign/date/submit the Assumption of Risk and Release Form. If the above form is not completed, the student will not be able to enter the lab. Lab absence polices will apply.
Students must follow the direction of faculty/lab personnel at all times.
Students must inform faculty/lab personnel of latex sensitivity/allergy, pregnancies, physical disabilities, recent injuries, illnesses, surgeries, or communicable disease prior to entering the lab or attending school.
Students using labs must present IINS ID, sign in/out, noting time and content area of practice.
Any student who has the appearance of being impaired or under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances will be removed from the lab area immediately and will not be permitted to drive themselves home.
No children, visitors, or pets are permitted in the lab.
Avoid distracting or startling others in the lab or at the clinical site.
No electronic devices for recording or photos are permitted at any time.
Cell phones are to be turned off or on vibrate while in the lab.
If supplies/equipment are not visible in the lab, please ask the faculty for assistance.
After the lab practice session, leave the area neatly arranged and return reusable supplies/equipment to the designated area. Dispose of all used gloves.
LABORATORY SAFETY:
A. Infection Control
Wash hands upon entering the lab, during lab when appropriate, and at the end of each lab session. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are available for use.
Universal precautions must be followed when there is exposure or potential exposure to blood or body fluids.
Eating and drinking are not permitted in the labs.
B. DRESS CODE:
Long hair and loose clothing must be pulled back and secured. No dangling jewelry.
Must wear closed-toe shoes.
Uniforms/scrubs are to be worn in the lab.
Nails must be kept short, not more than ¼ inch beyond fingertips, and clean. No artificial nails, gel polish, wraps. Clear or natural shade of nail polish only; chipped nail polish is prohibited.
C. PHYSICAL SPACE SAFETY:
All labs are locked unless occupied by the faculty and/or students during class or practice.
Close all cabinet doors when not in use.
Any misconduct occurring in the lab will be reported to the Administrator.
Do not handle equipment without faculty/personnel in the room.
Malfunctioning equipment must be reported to lab personnel immediately.
Laboratory doorways must be fully accessible at all times. Do not block/partially block exit access at any time.
Use equipment only for its designated purpose.
Unauthorized personnel are not allowed in the labs at any time.
After practicing skills, straighten the unit/area to a condition of readiness for the next users. Chairs should be replaced under the tables when leaving the area. Notify faculty/lab personnel of any items/fluids of unknown origin so the items can be safely disposed of.
D. MEDICACTIONS AND FLUIDS:
When breaking glass ampules for practice, students will use gauze covering the ampule or ampule breaker devices as directed by faculty/lab personnel.
No actual medications are to be used. Practice medications such as Demo Dose or PRACTI-med will be used for practice are not to be taken orally/injected/inhaled.
IV fluids with expired dates may be used for practice and demonstration only unless obviously contaminated. These fluids are not for internal use, but for practice.
E. NEEDLE SAFETY:
Needles provided for practice of injection are used in the lab only when faculty/lab personnel are present for assistance. Students must demonstrate safety precautions while utilizing needles during practice as instructed in class.
Needles must never be recapped after use. You must immediately activate the needle safety mechanism after use. Used needles are to be disposed of in red Sharps disposal containers provided throughout the lab space.
Needles and other sharp objects must not be discarded in the trash or left out openly in the lab at any time.
Injection practice will occur on practice injection pads provided in the lab and as instructed by faculty. Do not infuse/install any liquids in the mannequins.
If you are accidentally stuck with a needle or your skin comes in contact with contaminated material, you must notify the faculty/lab personnel immediately.
F. ELECTRICAL SAFETY:
Wet materials may not be used around electrical outlets or equipment.
Students are responsible for reporting to faculty/staff any frayed electrical cords, cracked plugs, missing outlet covers, etc., as well as any problems encountered while using electrical equipment.
Electric beds shall be maintained in the lowest position when not in use.
No electrical cords will be left in the pathway of walking traffic.
G. ERGONOMICS:
Students will be instructed in principles of body mechanics prior to practice.
Students should use caution when lifting and should not lift equipment, manikins, or other students without assistance.
Students practicing lifting techniques will not perform these procedures in an inappropriate or unsafe manner.
The wheels of all equipment (wheelchairs, stretchers, and beds) are to be locked during practice and return demonstration.
H. LATEX WARNING:
Some of the equipment/supplies in the nursing lab contain Latex. If a student has a known sensitivity/allergy to latex, please inform the faculty/lab personnel PRIOR to entering the lab.
The veins in the IV arms contain latex. Users who suffer from latex allergies should take precautions while using or handling the latex parts by wearing non-latex protective gloves.
I. REPORT OF AN INJURY:
Any incident occurring in the lab must be reported immediately to the faculty/lab personnel.
The faculty/staff will call the Administrator of an accident involving injury or illness. If the situation is a medical emergency, dial 9-1-1 to get help immediately.
The IINS Incident/Accident Report Form must be completed by an injured/ill student to document an injury/incident.
EMERGENCIES (FIRE):
Alert people in the area to evacuate. Follow instructions in the IINS Emergency Guide located on the wall adjacent to the exit door.
Activate nearest fire alarm and call 9-1-1.
Close doors to confine fire. DO NOT LOCK DOORS.
Immediately evacuate to a safe area or exit the building through the mall doors or the nearest door to the outside of the building.
Provide emergency personnel with any pertinent information.
ACKNOWLEGDMENT AND SIGNATURE:
I have read this Laboratory Safety Manual Document / Form carefully and fully understand its contents. I acknowledge that I am signing this voluntarily and that it shall be binding upon me, my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.