Courses

INTENDED AUDIENCE This activity was developed for nurses and other healthcare professionals who need information about chemical hazards in the healthcare workplace. COMMERCIAL SUPPORT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT No commercial support was provided for the development of this activity. STATEMENT OF NEED Chemical hazards in the healthcare environment run the gamut and can cause a variety of medical reactions, from minor skin irritations to breathing problems to long-term illnesses. It is very important that healthcare professionals understand their institution's hazard policies and procedures, take appropriate safety precautions when handling hazardous chemicals and know what to do if a spill or other incident involving exposure occurs. In this way, they help to ensure the highest level of safety for patients and co-workers, and avoid legal implications. METHOD OF PARTICIPATION To complete this activity and obtain CE credit, you must do the following: - Read this Course Introduction/Disclosures section in its entirety. - Read the course material. - Complete the Post Test with a score of 80% or more. - Submit the online activity evaluation form. ACCREDITATION Medcom/Trainex is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation* Medcom/Trainex is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing (provider number CEP 9888), and the Florida Board of Nursing (provider number 50-1285). *Accreditation refers to recognition of educational activities only and does not imply Commission on Accreditation approval or endorsement of any product. CREDIT DESIGNATION Medcom, Inc. designates this educational activity for 1 contact hour of continuing nursing education credit. OVERVIEW The purpose of this program is to provide healthcare workers and others with an understanding of chemical hazards in the workplace, in order to help ensure a higher level of safety in the workplace and to avoid legal implications. The material is organized around the following categories: - Introduction - Avoiding Chemical Hazards - Types of Chemical Hazards - Types of Exposure - The New Hazardous Communication Standard (HCS) - Elements of the Product Warning Label - Safety Data Sheet (SDS) - Employer Responsibilities - General Safety Precautions - Part 1 - General Safety Precautions - Part 2 - Safety Precautions for Specific Hazards - Conclusion LEARNING OBJECTIVES After completing this course update, the learner should be able to: - Define the term chemical hazard. - Describe the types of chemical hazards. - Define types of chemical exposure. - Understand the New Hazardous Communication Standard and its requirements. - Identify and understand the Product Warning Label. - Identify and understand the Safety Data Sheet. - Describe appropriate measures to take when a chemical spill or other hazardous event occurs. AUTHOR / REVIEWERS This educational activity was wholly developed, written, and produced by Medcom, Inc., G. Rand Rodriguez, editor. Molly Groban, MS, MAEd, RN, CEN, CCRN, MICN, SANE, LNC, served as subject matter expert in review of the content, and performed a content validation review. Marguerite Voorhees, RN, MN, CNS, CPHQ, CPHRM, served as nurse planner. PLANNER / AUTHOR DISCLOSURE In accordance with ANCC Standards, parallel documents from other accrediting bodies, and Medcom, Inc. policy, the learner is hereby informed that the planners and staff of Medcom, Inc., and the content validation reviewer(s) involved with this activity have reported no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. Furthermore, there is no discussion in this activity about the use of products for non FDA-approved indications. UNAPPROVED USE DISCLOSURE Medcom, Inc. requires authors and content validation reviewers to disclose to the learner when products or procedures being discussed are off-label, unlabeled, experimental, and/or investigational (not FDA approved); and any limitations on the information that is presented, such as data that are preliminary or that represent ongoing research, interim analyses, and/or unsupported opinion. Authors of this activity may present information about pharmaceutical agents that is outside of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved labeling. This information is intended solely for continuing medical education and is not intended to promote off-label use of these medications. If you have questions, contact the medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most recent prescribing information. DISCLAIMER As in all educational activities, we encourage the practitioners to use their own judgment in treating and addressing the needs of each individual patient, taking into account the patient's unique clinical situation. Medcom disclaims any liability and/or loss resulting from the information contained in this activity. The learner specifically agrees to indemnify and hold Medcom, the creators, producers, and distributors of this activity harmless against any and all claims or liabilities arising out of the use of any information provided in this activity by the learner, or by anyone directly or indirectly obtaining such information through the learner.