Assessment of Health and Safety Hazards in Hospitals using five methods and comparing the results with the FMEA method
Behzd Saranjam, Leila Naghizadeh, Elnaz Rahimi, Mozhgan Etemad, Amin Babaei-Pouya
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ABSTRACT
Background: Observation of safety
and health condition at hospitals helps controlling and decreasing the hazards.
Due to the wide range of incidents and the notable financial load, safety
management is highly important for hospitals. Through systematic assessment of
potential hazard, we can take effective measures to protect workforces’ heath
and assets.
Aim: To compare ETBA, HEMP,
HOSHRA, and AHP for assessing hazards at Iran-based hospitals using the FMEA
method in 2019.
Methods: The study was carried
out as a descriptive and cross-sectional study in 2019 at 12 wards of Imam
Hospital, Ardabil-Iran. Data gathering was done by the experts and using the
checklists of ETBA, HEMP, HOSHRA, FMEA, and AHP and the results were compared.
Results: The comparison of the
methods was done using FMEA and the results showed that the hazard risks
identified by ETBA were different from FMEA and those identified by HEMP were
similar to FMEA. In addition, the result of the FMEA method was identical to
HOSHRA in terms of chemical, biological, and ergonomic hazards and identical to
the AHP method in terms of biological, needle stick, and chemical agents.
Conclusion: As the results showed,
FMEA revealed the highest number of risks. Along with FMEA method, ETBA can be
also used in hospitals for risk assessment and to have a comprehensive view of
the risks.
Keywords: Hospital,
occupational safety, health, risk assessment
ABSTRACT
Background: Observation of safety
and health condition at hospitals helps controlling and decreasing the hazards.
Due to the wide range of incidents and the notable financial load, safety
management is highly important for hospitals. Through systematic assessment of
potential hazard, we can take effective measures to protect workforces’ heath
and assets.
Aim: To compare ETBA, HEMP,
HOSHRA, and AHP for assessing hazards at Iran-based hospitals using the FMEA
method in 2019.
Methods: The study was carried
out as a descriptive and cross-sectional study in 2019 at 12 wards of Imam
Hospital, Ardabil-Iran. Data gathering was done by the experts and using the
checklists of ETBA, HEMP, HOSHRA, FMEA, and AHP and the results were compared.
Results: The comparison of the
methods was done using FMEA and the results showed that the hazard risks
identified by ETBA were different from FMEA and those identified by HEMP were
similar to FMEA. In addition, the result of the FMEA method was identical to
HOSHRA in terms of chemical, biological, and ergonomic hazards and identical to
the AHP method in terms of biological, needle stick, and chemical agents.
Conclusion: As the results showed,
FMEA revealed the highest number of risks. Along with FMEA method, ETBA can be
also used in hospitals for risk assessment and to have a comprehensive view of
the risks.
Keywords: Hospital,
occupational safety, health, risk assessment