Tip of the week: Keep that hammer in sight

If your facility deals with violent patients or has a behavioral health unit, take heed of this suggestion concerning tools.

Often, when engineering or maintenance crews come into care units to make repairs, they bring their equipment in common tool boxes or maintenance carts. Tools can become weapons if the wrong person swipes them, said Steven Shea, safety coordinator for Winchester (MA) Hospital.

The key is to educate maintenance workers about keeping their tools within sight in safe areas, Shea said. The same thinking can apply to outside contractors as well.

During your safety rounds, note any work projects and verify that employees and outside workers are safeguarding their equipment.

Editor's note: Shea spoke during HCPro's audioconference, "Healthcare safety risk assessments: Practical advice and proven tools for Joint Commission compliance."