ISO 45001 and its implication within the health sector
ISO 45001 and its implication within the health sector
LATENT RISKS IN HOSPITALS
Hospitals are one of the places most visited by the world’s population, either to visit a family member who has been hospitalized due to illness, for routine examinations or simply because they are health professionals.
The truth is that when visiting a hospital, one is exposed, almost unconsciously, to a series of dangers that are not so easy to identify if one is not familiar with this sector.
Although their main objective is, of course, to ensure the well-being and health of the patient, healthcare professionals are not exempt from certain occupational hazards.
Some of the risk factors that can damage the health of both patients and hospital workers are as follows:
Biological: When the air has been contaminated by various particles or when exposed to bacteria and viruses that can be transmitted, for example: when a needle is left in the wrong place and a patient or hospital staff accidentally pricks their skin.
Physical: Exposure to X-rays, electromagnetic waves, handling of surgical instruments, temperature regulation and lighting, among others.
Chemical: This factor is especially risky, since some harmful substances present different forms that are not easy to identify, are generally characterized by being in the four states of matter and are usually toxic when accidentally ingested or inhaled.
Preventing accidents from happening in the hospital area, regardless of whether doctors or nurses are well qualified or patients follow medical instructions, is complicated. However, it is possible to mitigate their effects on the consequences of such accidents.
IMPLEMENTATION OF ISO 45001
Safety and health must be considered as fundamental parts of the daily work environment, and this is possible thanks to the implementation of a management system with ISO 45001.
ISO 45001 is the standard that was created with the sole purpose of ensuring health and safety at work in different organizations, including hospitals, this standard allows you to give organization and structure to processes and procedures beyond the size of your company. In addition, it allows you to identify the risks to which you are exposed, as well as to verify compliance with legal regulations in order to have a continuous improvement.
For a successful implementation of ISO 45001 in your company, you must first conduct a risk assessment of the hospital environment and consider visitors, patients, doctors, nurses, housekeepers and all stakeholders.
When you start implementing an occupational health and safety management system in your hospital, you must take into account the protection against contagious diseases, the good management of toxic waste to avoid the spread of viruses and bacteria that can cause certain types of infectious diseases, the correct disinfection of surgical instruments, the logistics and supply of medication and the correct sanitation of common areas as well as operating rooms.
IS ISO 45001 SUITABLE FOR YOUR COMPANY?
On the other hand, you have to ensure the knowledge and competence of all those involved in the implementation of the management system to correctly follow the internal processes with the mix of technical knowledge of the sector and comply with the points of the standard.
ISO 45001 understands and adapts to any type of organization regardless of its size and line of business, since its main objective is the prevention of accidents at work.
This system is suitable and efficient for your organization, and has the ability to establish and adapt compliance to meet the requirements of the standard. It also improves the strategic focus of top management leadership, the communication of all involved in an accurate way and allows integration with other management systems.
To learn more about this standard and the benefits of implementing it in your organization we invite you to learn more through our website or contact QAlliance! And our staff will provide you with the information you require.