Staying Ahead Of The Curve

Gerber Memorial employees practice evacuating a “patient” down two flights of stairs, using a med sled

Safety, security take center stage at annual Gerber Memorial employee event

FREMONT – The Thursday routine took a small detour from the ordinary for some Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial employees, who sledded down two flights of stairs, learned how to prevent abductions and practiced putting out fires – literally.
 Nearly a dozen safety activities were featured during the Gerber Memorial Employee Safety Fair, which is held each year to encourage staff members from every department to learn and practice safety habits and techniques. At Thursday’s fair, lab techs learned how to properly operate fire extinguishers. Front desk staff practiced evacuating patients down narrow stairwells using a med sled and an evacuation chair, which would be necessary in case a fire shut down the elevator. Gerber Memorial’s security team shared tips for de-escalating confrontations.
“Our safety fair is a great opportunity for staff at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to the safety and security of our patients, visitors and fellow staff,” said Amanda Lutz, Gerber Memorial emergency preparedness specialist. “We host these safety fairs in a fun setting as we share useful information about everything from putting out small fires to reducing the spread of infection to emergency readiness. Our goal is to help us be at our best as we serve our patients and our community.”
Other areas featured included reviewing emergency preparedness response plans and flu prevention methods. The fair even included an exercise for staff to learn how to save money by disposing waste correctly and appropriately. A ton of recycling costs only $62, yet regulated medical waste costs $470 per ton and confidential paper shredding, $1,520 per ton.