Mercury in Healthcare
Mercury can be fatal if inhaled and harmful if absorbed through the skin. Healthcare workers are at particular risk during the repair or cleanup of broken thermometers and sphygmomanometers.
This course explores the health hazards of mercury in the healthcare industry and provides guidance on how workers can protect themselves from exposure.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
| ID | Objective |
|---|---|
| TO 1.0 | Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment. |
| LO 1.1.1 | Explain what mercury is and its primary uses in healthcare settings. |
| LO 1.1.2 | Identify the most common routes of mercury exposure and the factors that influence its toxicity. |
| LO 1.1.3 | Describe the acute and chronic health effects associated with mercury exposure. |
| LO 1.1.4 | Explain how mercury exposure is controlled using the Hierarchy of Controls, providing examples for each control method. |
| LO 1.1.5 | Identify OSHA requirements related to mercury exposure in the workplace. |
| LO 1.1.6 | Discuss proper mercury spill cleanup procedures and the PPE required to protect employees. |
| LO 1.1.7 | Describe the benefits of using mercury-free equipment in healthcare settings. |
Key: TO = Terminal Objective, LO = Learning Objective