Safety | About Us

Organizational Chart

FAQs – EH&S Programs

Fire Protection – FAQs

Q: Where can I find the nearest pull station?

A: Pull stations are always located by the building exits. Some Nurses’ Stations also have pull stations. When in doubt always move to the nearest exit.

Q: If I pull the fire alarm (pull station) and nothing happens; what should I do?

A: Go to the next fire alarm pull station or call x456-6123, or 9-1-1 (if you are off site).

Q: Who do I call if there is a fire? Who answers and what happens?

A: On the UCI Health medical center call telecom (x456-6123) for all Code Reds. They notify Facilities and Police/Public Safety. They will also make an announcement via overhead page, send out an alpha page, and call the fire department.

All off site buildings (including buildings located on the main campus) call 9-1-1.

Q: If I am told to evacuate, where do I go?

A: If you must evacuate the building, the designated meeting place is department specific and should be discussed with your supervisor/manager. If you are not sure, follow other staff in your unit to that area.

Q: What type of fire extinguisher should I use?

A: The small red extinguishers can be used for most fires. If you have another type of extinguisher in your area (e.g., blue and white, or large and silver) talk to your supervisor/manager or contact the Fire Safety Specialist to learn about its properties.

Q: If the fire extinguisher I am using runs out, should I get another one?

A: No, never get another extinguisher if the first one runs out. “One and done.”

Q: Where do I go if I want to know more about fire safety?

A: Contact Fire Safety Specialist, Raul Herrera at raulmh@hs.uci.edu

Radiation Safety – FAQs

Q: What is radiation?

A: Radiation is energy. It can be in the form of photons, like microwaves, visible light, x-rays or gamma rays, or it can be in the form of particles, like electrons (beta particles) or helium nuclei (alpha particles).

Q: How do I know if there is radiation nearby?

A: There is natural radiation all around us –in our air, soils, water, and food. Also, we use radiation at UCI Health to treat and diagnose patients, and in research. You will know radiation is nearby when you see this symbol:

Q: How do I reduce my radiation exposure (keep my exposure ALARA)?

A: There are three basic principles for reducing your radiation exposure: Time, Distance and Shielding.

TIME: The less time you spend close to a radiation source, the less your exposure is. When working with or around sources of radiation, plan your work in advance to make efficient use of your time and reduce your exposure.

DISTANCE: The farther away you are from a radiation source, the less your exposure is. E.g., if you work in an OR where fluoroscopy is used, and you are not needed for immediate patient care purposes, remember to step back 3-6 feet when the x-ray machine is energized.

SHIELDING: Placing something between you and a source of radiation reduces your exposure. This is why leaded garments are used in fluoroscopy suites. Not all shielding material is appropriate for all types of radiation. The relatively low energy x-rays that are scattered from a patient during fluoroscopy are very effectively (but not 100%) absorbed by leaded garments; but, using lead for a beta-emitting source (like the radiopharmaceutical lutetium 177) will actually create more radiation exposure, because the beta particles interact with the lead and create x-rays. When in doubt contact Radiation Safety.

Q: How do I report a radiation safety concern?

A: For concerns posing an immediate threat, contact the Radiation Safety Officer at 714-456-5607, or contact the Hospital Operator emergency line (456-6123) after hours. For other concerns, you may file a report in the Safety and Quality Information System or send an email to the Radiation Safety Officer.

Safe Patient Handling and Mobility – FAQs

Q: What is the Safe Patient Handling Program?

A: Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) is the integration of the practice of early and progressive mobility of patients throughout their hospitalization to promote improved patient outcomes and satisfaction with care, while reducing the physical burden and improving the safety of staff providing the care. The SPHM Program at UCI Health is committed to improving the safety of patients and staff by providing the equipment, training, and resources to allow healthcare workers/caregivers to provide excellent care in a safe environment.

You can contact our Certified Safe Patient Handling Coordinator, Stephanie Cain at (714) 719-1249 or via email for additional questions/concerns.

Q: How can I access information to operate SPH equipment while on the hospital floor?

A: Each piece of SPH equipment has a “tip tag” hanging from the machine. These tags carry a QRS code, which can be used with the camera on your mobile device to access additional information in the form of a video demonstration of how to operate and utilize that equipment for patient care. There are also video demonstrations accessible through the Safe Patient Handling SharePoint website.

Q: The SPH equipment has stopped working on the floor, who can I contact?

A: If at any time, SPH equipment malfunctions you will need to perform the following tasks:

Inform the Charge Nurse as to which SPH equipment is not working
Place a red tag on the machine, to inform staff not to use
Report the machine to our Biomechanical Engineering Department at (714) 456-5366

Q: Where can I get additional information for Safe Patient Handling?

A: Additional information regarding the training schedule, SPH Plans, SPH Policy, Safety Tips/Video Demonstrations, is accessible through our Safe Patient Handling SharePoint website.

You can also contact our Certified Safe Patient Handling Coordinator (714) 719-1249.

Work Safety & Ergonomics – FAQs

Q: How do I request for an ergonomic evaluation?

A: The UCI Health Ergonomics Program assists staff employed by UCI Health (medical center). Campus/SOM staff (including physicians and support staff) should contact Campus Ergonomics. Medical center employees should visit the UCI Health Ergonomics SharePoint website.

Q: I feel that my workstation is set up improperly. What can I do?

A: Start off by completing the eLearning course “Ergonomics Healthy Working for Computer Users”. Access the course via the UCLC. If additional assistance is needed, indicate this when completing the course. Visit the UCI Health Ergonomics SharePoint site for additional workstation or product adjustment guidance.

Q: How do I know if my pain is work-related?

A: This is determined based on a medical evaluation at the UCI Health Occupational Health clinic or Emergency Room. If you have not been evaluated for your work-related pain, please do this as soon as possible.

Q: What is Ergonomics and where can I find more information?

A: Ergonomics is the science of fitting jobs and tools to people. Ergonomics aims to increase efficiency and productivity and reduce discomfort.

Internal resources: https://healthuci.sharepoint.com/sites/ergonomics/SitePages/UCI%20Health%20Ergonomics.aspx

External resources:

Q: What ergonomic resources are available if I am working from home?

A: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought lots of changes on how and where we work. Ergonomic postures are just as critical when working from home as they are when working onsite. Employees should take time to set up and adjust their home working environment to accommodate neutral working postures to the extent possible. For more information, click here.

Workplace Violence Prevention – FAQs

Q: What is Workplace Violence (WPV)?

A: There is no universally accepted definition for workplace violence, and it is defined differently by various entities. At the UC Medical Centers, workplace violence includes those events that meet the definitions set by either Cal/OSHA or TJC (The Joint Commission). Cal/OSHA defines workplace violence as: “any act of violence or threat of violence against an employee that occurs at the worksite.” It does not include “lawful acts of self-defense or defense of others.” The definition also includes an event “involving the threat or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.” TJC defines workplace violence as: “an act or threat occurring at the workplace that can include any of the following: verbal, nonverbal, written, or physical aggression; threatening, intimidating, harassing, or humiliating words or actions; bullying; sabotage; sexual harassment; physical assaults; or other behaviors of concern involving staff, licensed practitioners, patients, or visitors.” (note: bold formatting indicates those areas that TJC considers workplace violence but not Cal/OSHA).

Q: How do I obtain help if I am involved in a WPV incident?

A: For those events involving acts or threats of physical violence, where the personal safety of you or other staff are threatened, you should:

-immediately disengage (maintain or increase distance from the aggressor or leave the area)

-notify other staff in the area and UCI Health Public Safety (if on-site at the UCI Medical Center in Orange, CA) or local law enforcement (for off-site ambulatory clinics without a dedicated Public Safety Officer [PSO] assigned)

-activate a CODE GRAY by depressing a panic alarm or calling UCI Health Public Safety (911)

-use a team approach when you must confront a violent or aggressive individual

For other types of incidents, notify your immediate supervisor or manager of the event; they should be able to direct you to appropriate resources for support. If the event involves your manager or supervisor, you may report to the next higher level of manager or reach out to Human Resources.

Q: Where can I go for additional information about our WPV Prevention Program?

A: Additional information about our WPV Prevention Program can be found on the WPV Prevention SharePoint site. You can also contact the following individual with any questions or concerns:

William E. Huey Jr., CPP, CHPA

Workplace Violence Prevention Coordinator

Environmental Health & Safety

c: 714.931.2467

e: wehuey@hs.uci.edu