Identify safety hazards in the rehabilitation environment and appropriate responses for each.

Identification should include the following:

• Fire hazard—Responses to fire should include
• fire situation (RACE = rescue, alert, confine, extinguish/evacuate)
• use of a fire extinguisher (PASS = pull, aim, squeeze, spray)
• Fall hazard—Responses for preventing falls should include environmental modifications such as installing grab bars, removing loose mats or carpets, visual modifications to the environment, clearing walkways and stairways.
• Other hazards—Responses to other emergencies should include use of facility emergency codes, hospital acquired infections (e.g., MRSA, staph), weather emergencies, utility failures, natural disasters, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents.

Process/Skill Questions:

• What regulatory agency monitors safety in rehabilitation environments?
• What are the penalties when standards are not maintained?
• What safety procedures are specific to each clinical facility?
• What are basic evacuation procedures for people with disabilities?