Protective eyewear is of utmost importance in healthcare for both patients and personnel. It serves as a crucial barrier against potential hazards, safeguarding the eyes from injuries and preventing the transmission of infectious diseases. Here are some key reasons why protective eyewear is essential:

Prevention of Eye Injuries: While performing procedures involving the use of high-speed instruments, aerosols and debris can be generated. Without adequate eye protection, there is a risk of eye injuries from flying particles, chemicals, or accidental instrument contact. Protective eyewear acts as a shield, reducing the chances of eye damage.

Protection from Infectious Diseases: Some procedures often involve the manipulation of bodily fluids, including blood, saliva, and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Splattering or spattering of these fluids can occur, exposing both patients and healthcare personnel to various pathogens. Wearing protective eyewear creates a barrier, preventing direct contact of infectious fluids with the eyes and reducing the risk of transmission.

Compliance with Guidelines: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines recommend the use of protective eyewear during aerosol generating procedures that are likely to produce splashes or spatters of blood or other body fluids. Following these guidelines is crucial for maintaining a safe practice, protecting patients, and ensuring the safety of healthcare personnel.

Enhanced Occupational Safety: Healthcare personnel, including doctors, dental hygienists, nurses and assistants etc. are frequently exposed to potential occupational hazards. Wearing protective eyewear is an essential part of ensuring their safety and well-being. It minimizes the risk of eye injuries and potential infections, which can have a significant impact on their ability to provide quality care.

Patient Comfort and Trust: Providing a safe and comfortable environment is vital for patient satisfaction and trust in healthcare settings. When patients see their healthcare providers taking precautions to protect themselves and their patients, it instills confidence and demonstrates a commitment to their well-being. This can foster a positive patient-provider relationship and contribute to a positive treatment experience. In summary, protective eyewear plays a critical role in healthcare by preventing eye injuries, reducing the transmission of infectious diseases, ensuring compliance with guidelines, enhancing occupational safety, and fostering patient comfort and trust. Both patients and healthcare personnel should prioritize the use of appropriate protective eyewear to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

Eyewear PPE
In addition to the importance of protective eyewear, it is crucial to evaluate personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard. The OSHA standard mandates that employers assess and provide appropriate PPE to employees to ensure their safety and prevent occupational hazards. First, it is important to remember what type of substances and hazards you are exposed to on a day to day basis. Conducting a thorough hazard assessment is essential to identify potential risks and determine the specific PPE needed, depending on the task at hand. Evaluating the workplace environment helps identify hazards such as chemical exposures, airborne particles, or splashes of bodily fluids such as blood or OPIM. By assessing these risks, employees can select the appropriate protective eyewear and other necessary PPE to mitigate those hazards effectively. PPE should fit properly, function as intended and should be specific to the hazard at hand.
Evaluating protective eyewear ensures that it is designed to provide a secure and comfortable fit for healthcare personnel. Properly fitting eyewear reduces the risk of eye exposure by ensuring a close seal around the eyes, preventing entry of hazardous substances or objects. Please be mindful that prescription glasses are not intended to function as PPE unless they have a shatterproof rating and side protection.

Evaluating PPE aligns with regulatory standards and guidelines set by OSHA. Compliance with these standards is essential to maintain a safe work environment and protect the health and well-being of employees. By evaluating protective eyewear and other PPE, healthcare providers can ensure they meet the required standards and fulfill their obligations under the OSHA standard. PPE should be provided to free of charge by your employer, regularly inspected, maintained, and replaced when necessary. Evaluating the condition of protective eyewear allows employers to identify any signs of wear, damage, or degradation that may compromise its effectiveness and result in injury to staff. Timely replacement of damaged or expired eyewear is crucial to maintain optimal protection for both patients and healthcare personnel.

Lucky for you, we at Compliance Alliance have made it exceedingly easy for you to evaluate the PPE in your facility. During your annual Comprehensive Site Survey, your Safety and Infection Prevention Specialist (SIPS) will compile a list of PPE evaluations that are specific to your facility.