Working in a hospital can be a very rewarding profession. Helping people through difficult times can give professionals a sense of purpose. Medical careers tend to offer decent job stability and competitive compensation. They also come with many employment hazards. Professionals are vulnerable to a broad range of risks, many of which directly relate to providing patient care.
What types of injuries are common among professionals providing hands-on support to patients in hospitals?
1. Overexertion injuries
Helping patients get in and out of bed can cause an overexertion injury to the healthcare professional. Especially if people attempt to lift or move a patient without coworker support, they could sustain significant injuries.
2. Same-level falls
When patients need immediate support, hospital workers may rush to their location. Doing so puts them at risk of a slip or trip that causes a same-level fall, which is a top cause of hospital worker injuries. Medical workers who fall can break bones or injure their brains, leaving them unable to return to work until their injuries heal in some cases.
3. Accidental contact with objects
Caring for patients often means handling dangerous items. Nurses and phlebotomists can end up hurt in an accidental needle stick. People might make accidental contact with artificial external defibrillation devices and other equipment that can cause serious physical injuries.
Patient care also comes with the risk of violence. Adverse reactions to medications, dementia and a host of other issues can prompt erratic behavior from those seeking medical care.
Hospital workers hurt at work might need help when filing a workers’ compensation claim. Retaining the support of an attorney can make it easier for injured hospital workers to seek the benefits they require and deserve.