Importance of Safety at a Clinic
Security in the medical environment is intrinsically linked with every aspect of our work. We attach special significance to this aspect when welcoming new staff into our clinical team. Here, the importance of safety is dictated by physical and psychological factors, encompassing everything from appropriate clothing to ergonomic workplaces and mental support.
Feeling Safe Physically with Ergonomics
Initially, ensuring physical safety was a crucial part of my work. The specifications of our shoes, clothes, and gloves are not random. With a design worthy of respect, medical footwear can provide optimal comfort and support, preventing injuries. Specialized clothing offers protection against various microorganisms, and gloves create a barrier between the skin and potentially infectious materials, helping maintain our health.
Ergonomics also plays an integral role in this process. Sitting or standing in an incorrect posture can cause discomfort or long-term injuries. Therefore, we monitor the correctness of our working positions and use unique chairs, footrests, and other ergonomic adaptations.
Feeling Safe Mentally with Support Tools
The other side of the coin is psychological safety (Giménez-Espert et al., 2022). Our clinic provides all possible tools for stress management and mental health support. It is well known that the medical field can be psychologically demanding, and we need to provide support where needed. We conduct stress management training, offer psychological services, and facilitate discussions with colleagues so that everyone has a place to express their emotions and concerns.
Feeling Safe with Emergency Equipment
Also, our clinic is equipped with various physical items to ensure safety, such as fire extinguishers, medical kits, devices for measuring temperature, and security systems. The state of safety we find ourselves in is the result of our efforts to ensure safety for ourselves and those around us. We are part of a team striving towards the same goal, and we know that each of us plays a role in ensuring this state of safety. We care about ourselves and others; our clinic provides all the necessary resources.
References
Giménez-Espert, M., Llanos-Contreras, O., Sinclair, S., & Prado-Gascó, V. (2022). Communication, emotions and well-being in emotionally charged workers. Frontiers Media.