College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
Department of Nursing

SAFETY POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Please also note the Colleges’ policies related to environmental health and safety found at: http://www.csbsju.edu/ehs/default.htm

I. INTRODUCTION

It is the intent of the faculty and administration in the Department of Nursing to provide a safe learning experience for all students.

The following policies and procedures are established to provide instructions in maintaining safety for students, staff and faculty while using the nursing laboratory (hereby referred to as "lab(s)") within the CSB/SJU Department of Nursing and off campus clinical setting. These policies and procedures shall be adhered to by all concerned.

The Lab Coordinator along with the Nursing Department Safety Committee will update the contents of this manual every two years or more often as necessary. All students, staff, and faculty will be advised of these revisions. The CSB/SJU Director of Environmental Health and Safety serves as a resource to the Lab Coordinator and is to be consulted as needed with issues related to the safety of the lab. Note that this document is consistent with the safety policies and procedures of the Institutions. The Lab Coordinator is responsible for enforcing the regulations set forth in this manual.

 II. GENERAL GUIDELINES

A. While using the labs, all faculty, staff, and students must know and practice the safety guidelines at all times. Failure to adhere to general guidelines can result in disciplinary action. This manual is available electronically on the Nursing Department homepage. Students will be instructed to review the contents upon admission to the clinical component of the curriculum and annually.

B. The Lab Coordinator will ensure that faculty, teaching assistants, students, and student employees have up to date guidelines, policies, and procedures. Following the review, participants will be required to electronically sign and date a Forms Manager form acknowledging that they understand the policies and procedures of the safety manual. Failure to complete the form, will result in loss of the ability to use the lab.

C. All equipment and supplies are intended to be used for training purposes only, with rare exceptions.

D. All lab doors are locked unless occupied by faculty and/or students during class or practice.

E. Students should at all times practice safe and appropriate techniques while in the lab.

F. Students should be knowledgeable of the care, handling, and proper use of equipment prior to using it in the laboratory.

G. Any initial and follow-up costs incurred related to illness/accident/needle stick exposure is the sole responsibility of the student.

 

III. LABORATORY SAFETY

A. Infection Control

1. Universal precautions will be followed at all times (Refer to Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, Section I) when there is exposure or potential exposure to blood or body fluids.
2. All laboratory and simulation experiences will mimic local health care institutional policies on infection control (i.e. use of PPE).
3. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the laboratory spaces which include rooms 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, and 418.
4. Gloves are to be worn by students and faculty during any potential contact with blood and body fluids.

B. Physical Space

1. All cabinet doors will be closed when not in use.
2. The work spaces, floors, beds and desk areas will be kept clean.
3. Any misconduct occurring in the lab will be reported to the Lab Coordinator.
4. Malfunctioning equipment will be reported to the Lab Coordinator.
5. Laboratory doorways will be clear at all times.
6. The lab and supplies will not be used to provide medical treatment for students, staff, or faculty.
7. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed in the labs at any time. Injury to unauthorized personnel in the lab will not be considered the responsibility of College of St. Benedict/St. John's University.

 C. Medications and Fluids

1. When breaking glass ampules for practice, students will use ampule breaker devices.
2. Placebos (candy pieces, commercially prepared PRACTI-med and water) will be used for simulation of oral/topical medications.
3. IV fluids with expired dates may be used for practice and demonstration only.

 D. Needle Safety

1. The Lab Coordinator will annually review safety data on the needles and syringes we are using and complete the Safety Device Evaluation Form. The Lab Coordinator will send this information to the Director of Environmental Health and Safety of the colleges.
2. All drawers with needles will be locked at the end of a lab session and containers, bags or equipment with needles will also be secured.
3. Needles provided for practice of injection are used in the lab only when the teaching assistants or faculty are present. Students must demonstrate safety precautions while properly utilizing needles during practice.
4. Needles will never be recapped after use. Used needles are to be disposed of the Sharps containers provided throughout the lab space.
5. Needles and other sharp objects must not be discarded in the trash or left out openly in the lab at any time.
6. Injection practice will only occur on the manikins or practice injection pads provided in the lab.
7. Needles and syringes with expired dates may be used for practice and demonstration only.

 E. Electrical Safety

1. Wet materials may not be used around electrical outlets or equipment.
2. Faculty and students are responsible for reporting to the appropriate faculty/staff any frayed electrical cords, cracked plugs, missing outlet covers, etc., as well as any problems encountered while using electrical equipment.
3. No electrical cords will be left in the pathway of walking traffic. Extension cords will be properly taped to the floor if used over a walkway.
4. Only three-prong plugs that contain a ground wire should be used to power equipment in the labs. 

 F. Ergonomics

1. Students will be instructed in principles of body mechanics prior to practice.
2. Students and faculty should use caution when lifting and should not lift equipment, manikins, or other students without assistance. When transporting manikins, stretchers and wheelchairs should be used.
3. The wheels of all equipment (wheelchairs, stretchers and beds) are to be locked during practice and return demonstration.
4. The ceiling lift will only be used with faculty or teaching assistant supervision.
5. The sit-to-stand lift will only be used with faculty or teaching assistant supervision.
6. The HoverMatt will only be used with faculty or teaching assistant supervision.

  

IV. CLINICAL SAFETY

A. Off-campus clinical experiences

1. Students will follow the safety policies of the clinical institutions where they are participating in clinical experiences.
2. In the absence of clinical institution safety policies, students will consult with faculty and/or Department Chair prior to performing procedures. Invasive procedures will be performed at the discretion of the assigned clinical faculty.
3. Students should inform course coordinators of physical disabilities, recent injuries, illnesses, surgeries, and latex sensitivities/allergies* (see Addendum A at the end of the document for items containing latex) as soon as possible so that necessary precautions may be taken in the clinical setting. Medical clearance from a physician and permission of the Lab Coordinator and course instructor(s) may be needed before students with aforementioned concerns will be allowed to participate in clinical experiences.

 

V. INJURY

A. Reporting of an injury

1. Any incident occurring in a course related lab or clinical must be reported immediately to the faculty or lab coordinator. The student accident report form must also be completed as listed in 4a below (in section V: Injury). 
2. A faculty member will assess the student/staff and administer first aid as needed.
3. The faculty/staff/student will be directed or assisted to the Student Health Center, appropriate agency, or personal physician depending upon the nature of the injury. Campus Security may be called to assist in transporting a student to a health care agency or call 911 depending on the severity of the injury. Students will be responsible for any costs related to immediate and follow-up care that is provided by a health care agency.
4. For student or faculty exposures the following form(s) must be filled out for the injury/incident.
   • Student accident report form To report incidences that occur to students in academic proceeding - the student should NOT have been compensated for the procedure (e.g. labs, studios, workshops etc).
   • Exposure Incident Report Form* To report an incidence where eye, mouth, mucous membranes, or even non-intact skin comes into contact with blood or other potentially infectious material. The student* should complete the form using the link with assistance from supervisor when necessary. If you are an employee (You must print and complete a hard copy (PDF) signed by your supervisor and submit to EHS). *Note this form asks for employee name. This form is for both employee and non-employee students. Please complete as directed.
5. The Department Chair and/or Lab Coordinator will follow up with the student within 3 working days. A copy of the incident report and a written follow up report will be kept in the student's file.

 

VI. CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE LABORATORY AND EQUIPMENT

A. It is the responsibility of all those who use the lab for keeping equipment and the physical space clean.

B. Gloves are to be worn for personnel using harsh disinfectants to clean the lab.

C. Equipment located in the skills lab will be cleaned by teaching assistants as needed. The protocol for cleaning equipment is directed by the product manufacturer. Linen on beds will be changed and laundered when soiled, after extensive use, and at the end of each academic year.

D. The lab equipment will be kept in good working condition. Any faulty or broken equipment should be reported immediately to the Lab Coordinator.

 

VII. SHARPS AND BIOHAZARD WASTE DISPOSAL

A. Potential infectious wastes are collected, contained, stored, and disposed of according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. Signage will be posted as a reminder for proper disposal.

B. Sharps disposal is handled by a professional disposal service. When Sharps containers are full, a work order will be submitted for pickup of waste and delivery of an empty biohazard waste storage container.

C. The Lab Coordinator will contact the Environmental Health Safety Office to obtain empty sharps containers.

D. The Lab Coordinator will conduct a yearly evaluation of Sharps safety. The evaluation will examine clinical agency product and policy changes, as well as new Sharps-safety research and products. Laboratory supply and environmental upgrades/changes will be made accordingly.

 

VIII. EMERGENCIES

A. Fire

1. Alert people in area to evacuate.
2. Activate nearest fire alarm or call 5000 (Notify campus security).
3. Close doors to confine fire.
4. Evacuate to safe area or exit building through stairwell. Do not use elevator.
5. Provide emergency personnel with any pertinent information. Students and faculty should become familiar with the location of the nearest fire extinguishers and pull boxes for fire alarm. Building diagrams that indicate fire escape routes and locations of fire escapes are located in each laboratory and by fire extinguishers.

 B. Other Emergencies

Contact Campus Security (5000) and/or refer to the Emergency Response Procedures pamphlet, found near all of the doors in the Nursing Department, for other emergencies including: Active shooter/violent intruder, alcohol poisoning, assault, bomb threats, chemical spill, fire, medical emergency, mental health emergency or suicide attempt, severe weather, suspicious person or criminal activity, utility failure and weapons.

References: Please refer to the Environment Health and Safety Policies web page and the Emergency Response Procedures pamphlet.

 

Addendum A: Items with Latex within the Lab

*Items in the lab that have been confirmed to contain latex:

 Nursing Anne Manikin
Bags simulating lungs inside manikin chest
Tubing simulating veins in the Multi-Venous IV Training Arm
Tubing connecting the red pulse bulb to the manikin, for manually generated carotid pulse

Red pulse bulb used for generating carotid pulse
Tubing on Blood Pressure Cuff provided with Nursing Anne

Nursing Baby Manikin
Bags simulating lungs inside manikin chest
Tubing simulating veins in the Multi-Venous IV Training Arm

Nursing Kid Manikin

Bags simulating lungs inside manikin chest
Tubing simulating veins in the Multi-Venous IV Training Arm

Nursing Kelly Manikin

Bags simulating lungs inside manikin chest
Tubing simulating veins in the Multi-Venous IV Training Arm
Tubing connecting the red pulse bulb to the manikin, for manually generated carotid pulse
Red pulse bulb used for generating carotid pulse
Tubing on Blood Pressure Cuff provided with Nursing Kelly VitalSim Capable

Noelle Birthing Manikin

Tubing simulating veins in the IV Training Arm

Updated October 2023