Chapter 36: Emergency Preparedness and Protective Practices

What type of testing and maintenance should be performed on battery-operated smoke detectors?

A battery-operated smoke detector should be tested monthly by pressing the test button. Batteries should be changed every 6 months, and the date should be noted on the detector.

What occurs when a fire alarm is activated?

When a fire alarm is activated a loud noise and flashing lights are broadcasted to alert building occupants of the fire and to provide them with enough time to evacuate the building. The alarm also notifies the fire department so that firefighters can quickly respond to the fire.

Identify the steps that should be taken in operating a fire extinguisher following the PASS format.

1. P: Pull out the pin. 2. A: Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. 3. S: Squeeze the handle. 4. S: Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire.

According to OSHA, what three components must be included in an emergency evacuation plan?

According to OSHA, an emergency evacuation plan must include an emergency evacuation procedure (step-by-step procedures for the rapid, efficient, and safe removal of individuals from the building during an emergency), type of evacuation, and exit routes (an evacuation floor plan is necessary).

According to OSHA, when is it acceptable to use direct voice communication to alert employees of an emergency situation?

According to OSHA, it is acceptable to use direct voice communication to alert employees of an emergency situation in an office with 10 or fewer employees, provided that all employees can hear the voice alarm.

What information should be included on an evacuation floor plan?

An evacuation floor plan should include locations including the employee's current location, primary and secondary exit routes, manual fire alarm boxes, portable fire extinguishers, emergency exit doors, wheelchair accessible exits, shelter-in-place areas, and assembly areas.

What is an evacuation warden?

An evacuation warden is an employee or employees that is in charge of various rescue and medical duties. Each employee evacuation warden must be thoroughly trained in the duty he or she can perform.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry or uneasiness, often triggered by an event that is perceived as having an uncertain outcome.

Why is it important to account for all building occupants following an emergency evacuation?

It is important to account for all building occupants following an emergency evacuation to determine of anyone is still in the building in need of rescue.

Why is it important to conduct fire drills?

It is important to conduct fire drills to give employees the chance to become familiar with exit routes under nonthreatening conditions.

Why is it important to learn and practice emergency procedures?

It is important to learn and practice emergency procedures to keep the anxiety level from rising because it will help feel more confident when there is a structured plan to respond to in an emergency situation.

Why is it important to properly maintain a fire extinguisher?

It is important to properly maintain a fire extinguisher to ensure that they are safe to use and will operate properly when needed.

What information should be included in the training of employees on the emergency action plan as required by OSHA?

OSHA requires that employees be provided with education and training on the emergency action plan that includes: 1. Individual roles and responsibilities. 2. Threats, hazards, and protective actions. 3. Locations and operation of manually activated pull stations and communication equipment. 4. Emergency response procedures. 5. Evacuation, shelter, and accountability procedures. 6. Location and use of common emergency equipment. 7. Emergency shutdown procedures.

List five guidelines (as stipulated by OSHA) that must be followed with respect to exit routes?

OSHA requires that guidelines be followed in respect to exit route, including exits should be clearly marked and well lit, exit routes must be at least 28 inches wide at all points, exit routes should be unobstructed and free of clutter at all times, exit signs should be posted indicating the nearest emergency exit, exit doors must be free of decorations or signs that obscure visibility to the exit, route door, doors that cannot be used to leave the facility should be clearly labeled "not an exit" or identified by a sign indicating the doors actual use, an exit door must be unlocked from the inside, and an exit door must be opened outward.

What methods are typically used in the medical office to report emergency situations and/or alert employees to the presence of an emergency situation?

One or two methods that are typically used to report the emergency and /or alert employees to the presence of an emergency situation are dialing 911, dialing an internal emergency phone number, or activation of a manual alarm system.

How might severe anxiety be a problem in an emergency situation?

Severe anxiety can be problematic in an emergency situation because it tends to immobilize the individual and stimulate anxiety in others.

List examples of common ignition sources.

Some common ignition sources are open flames, faulty electrical equipment, hot surfaces, and sparks.

List five examples of fuel sources that may be found in the medical office.

Some examples of fuel sources that may be found in the medical office are patient chairs, furniture, drapes and rugs, office equipment, chemicals used for sterilization and disinfection, laboratory testing chemicals, and trash.

List examples of how a fire may start in the medical office.

Some examples of ways that a fire may start in the medical office are overloaded electrical office, heat producing equipment that is too close to combustible materials, improper use of appliances, improper handling and storage of chemicals, cleaning supplies, and other combustible materials, and arson.

Explain how sprinklers are activated.

Sprinklers are activated by the buildup of heat in the fire area, which causes a glass component in the sprinkler head to melt or break, releasing water from the sprinkler.

22. What is the purpose of an emergency action plan?

The purpose of an emergency action plan is to prevent fatalities, injuries, and property damage during an emergency situation.

What is the purpose of an emergency practice drill?

The purpose of an emergency practice drill is to provide employees with the opportunity to practice their assigned duties in a simulated emergency situation.

What is the purpose of fire protection?

The purpose of fire protection is to prevent the spread of fire from one area of a building to another, allow for the safe exit of building occupants, and prevent or reduce the amount of property damage.

What is the responsibility of an emergency evacuation coordinator?

The responsibility of an emergency evacuation coordinator is to take charge of and manage the evacuation procedures during an emergency.

What is the purpose of the tag attached to a fire extinguisher?

The tag attached to a fire extinguisher to document each service check, including the date of the service and the signature of the individual performing the service.

Explain the difference between a flammable and a combustible material and list examples of each. a. Flammable material: b. Combustible material:

a. Flammable material: Catches on fire easily. Examples: Propane and gasoline b. Combustible material: Any material that will burn. Examples: Paper and wood.

What type of evacuation is typically required for the following? a. Large fire: b. Small waste basket fire: c. Tornado:

a. Large fire: An immediate and complete evacuation of a building to a safe area is typically required in the event of a large fire. b. Small waste basket fire: May require only a partial evacuation of employees from the immediate area. c. Tornado: Employees are typically required to evacuate to a safe part of the building such as a designated shelter area (known as a shelter-in-place evacuation).

What is the difference between a primary and secondary exit route? a. Primary exit route: b. Secondary exit route:

a. Primary exit route: The quickest and easiest way to exit a building during an evacuation and is usually represented on the floor plan by a continuous solid red line with a directional arrow. b. Secondary exit route: Secondary means of escape in the event that the primary route becomes blocked by smoke or fire. It is often represented by a continuous dashed blue line with a directional arrow on the evacuation floor plan.

What are some examples of fire extinguishing agents?

Common examples of fire extinguishing agents include dry chemicals, foam, carbon dioxide, and water.

What occurs during the exhaustion phase of GAS?

During the exhaustion phase of the GAS, the stress continues and the body's resources to combat it are depleted. The immune system is compromised, and stress-related illnesses may occur.

How should the medical assistant respond to a patient exhibiting severe anxiety?

If a patient is exhibiting severe anxiety, the medical assistant should try to minimize their reaction by giving the patient directions in a calm and reassuring voice. It may be necessary to touch the patient to gain his or her attention, and then directions should be given in short sentences, speaking a little more slowly than usual and helping them breathe deeply. If a dangerous area must be evacuated, give the patient directions on where to go.

What should the medical assistant do if an emergency occurs at his or her workplace?

If an emergency occurs in the workplace, the medical assistant should immediately focus on responding to the immediate situation, implementing established procedures, and helping others.

What three elements must exist in order for a fire to occur?

In order for a fire to occur it needs a fuel source, ignition source, and oxygen.

What effect will oxygen released from an oxygen tank have on a fire?

Oxygen greatly increases the combustion rate of a fire, if something catches fire, oxygen will make the flame hotter and cause it to burn faster and more vigorously.

When must the emergency action plan be reviewed with each employee?

The emergency action plan should be reviewed by each employee when the initial plan is developed, when new employees are hired, when the employee's responsibilities or designated actions under the plan change, and whenever the plan is changed.

What are the two primary functions of a fire extinguisher?

The primary functions of a fire extinguisher are to control or extinguish a small fire that has just started and to protect an evacuation route that a fire might block with smoke or burning materials.

What is the purpose of a fire door?

The purpose of a fire door is to prevent the spread of fire from one area of a building to another.

What is the purpose of a fire prevention plan?

The purpose of a fire prevention plan is to reduce the probability that a workplace fire will ignite or spread, which helps prevent injury or death, keeps the workplace safe, and helps prevent financial losses to the medical office.

What are the symptoms of severe anxiety?

The symptoms of severe anxiety include hyperventilation, rapid pulse rate, excessive perspiration, and confused speech.