Provide a summary of employee’s critical responsibilities, consequences and the impact failing in those critical responsibilities may have on the quality of health care.

Organizational awareness- healthcare | Nursing homework help

Purpose of Paper, Applicable Federal and State Laws

The purpose of this paper is to raise the awareness of emergency department (ED) nurses in the proper treatment of environmental hazards. Environmental hazards are those that can cause harm to people or the environment. The main applicable federal law is the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), also known as the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), which was enacted by Congress in 1986. The EPCRA establishes requirements for emergency planning and preparedness, and it also requires facilities to report on the storage, use, and release of hazardous materials to state and local authorities. In addition, there are state laws that cover hazardous materials, and facilities must comply with both the federal and state laws. For example, in California, the Hazardous Waste Control Law regulates the generation, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste.

The Specific Targeted Employee Group and Specific Health Services Setting

This paper is targeted towards ED nurses who work in hospitals. ED nurses are responsible for the initial assessment and treatment of patients who present to the ED, and they must be able to identify and manage potential environmental hazards that may affect patients, visitors, and staff in the ED. ED nurses are also responsible for ensuring that the appropriate authorities are notified if a hazardous material is spilled or released in the ED.

Discussion of Three Critical Aspects of Employee’s Responsibilities

a) Discussion of Employee Specific Critical Responsibility 1: Identification of Environmental Hazards

ED nurses must be able to identify potential environmental hazards in the ED. Environmental hazards in the ED can include chemical spills, airborne contaminants, and other hazards that may be present in the ED environment. It is important that ED nurses are familiar with the types of environmental hazards that may be present in the ED, and that they know how to properly manage these hazards. According to the EPCRA, facilities that use, store, or release hazardous materials must develop and implement an emergency response plan. ED nurses must be familiar with this plan and understand their role in responding to an environmental hazard.

Failure to identify environmental hazards can have serious consequences, including harm to patients, staff, and visitors in the ED. The consequences of failing in this responsibility can result in civil liability, fines, and legal action against the facility.

b) Discussion of Employee Specific Critical Responsibility 2: Proper Management of Environmental Hazards

ED nurses must be able to properly manage environmental hazards in the ED. This includes using personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, decontaminating equipment and surfaces, and notifying the appropriate authorities if a hazardous material is spilled or released in the ED. ED nurses must also be familiar with the facility’s emergency response plan and know how to implement it if an environmental hazard occurs.

Failure to properly manage environmental hazards can result in harm to patients, staff, and visitors in the ED, as well as legal and financial consequences for the facility. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can issue citations and penalties for violations of workplace safety regulations, and the EPCRA imposes fines and other penalties for failure to report hazardous materials.

c) Discussion of Employee Specific Critical Responsibility 3: Documentation and Reporting of Environmental Hazards

ED nurses must document and report all incidents involving environmental hazards in the ED. This includes documenting any spills or releases of hazardous materials, as well as any injuries or illnesses that may have resulted from exposure to environmental hazards. ED nurses must also report these incidents to the appropriate authorities, including the hospital’s safety officer, the local fire department, and state and federal regulatory agencies.

Failure to document and report environmental hazards can result in legal and financial consequences for the facility, as well as harm to patients, staff, and visitors in the ED. Failure to report a hazardous material release can result in fines and