March 2017 - Issue # 27

Welcome Note (By Farouk Merhebi – EHSRM Director)

Dear Readers,
During the past two months, EHSRM team was heavily involved in the Medical Center Expansion program and participated in several meetings
and workshops with the design Consultants Dar el Handassah and Perkins and Will to discuss the new developments and provide the safety
requirements. Moreover, EHSRM evaluated the bid for the recruitment of a consulting firm to assist AUBMC in the selection of an incinerator for
cytotoxic waste that caters for future waste loads as a result of the expansion plan, prepare the related Environmental Impact Assessment and secure
the permit from the Ministry of Environment. The selected consultant, ELARD, is expected to complete its services by mid-August 2017.
EHSRM, in coordination with the Wellness Program, organized an 8 hour Basic First Aid training session over two days to around 30 staff from differ-
ent departments on Campus. The training was conducted by the Lebanese Red Cross.
To improve staff compliance with safety policies and procedures, EHSRM drafted a “policy on disciplinary procedures for safety violations” that was
discussed in a meeting with HR, PEMC and UHS. The policy, once finalized will be piloted at PEMC prior to application to all AUBMC staff.
Moreover, EHSRM developed a mandatory training plan on radiation safety for all staff dealing with radiation that will be coordinated
and implemented through AUBMC HR.
EHSRM is working with the REP office on two fronts: one on developing a chemical security and safety training proposal for universities in Iraq while
the other on assessing the environmental health and safety situation at Ahfad University for Women in Sudan.

Article of the Month Heart Safe Facility Think Safe

For a facility to be considered heart-safe, it must meet many criteria including the following: 1. Hands-Only CPR (CPR with just
chest compressions) has been
 A written cardiac emergency plan, which delineates the procedures of addressing any cardiac emergency proven to be as effective as CPR
that may happen in the facility. with breaths in treating adult
 Availability of sufficient number of automated external defibrillators (AED). An AED is a device used cardiac arrest victims.
to treat victims who experience sudden cardiac arrest. It detects heart rhythms and determines if the a) True b) False
victim is in need of a life-saving shock to restore normal heart rhythm.
2. AED can be applied to any un
 Sufficient proportion of personnel with valid certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use
conscious victim.
of AED.
a) True b) False
 The availability of heart-healthy food and environment.
Such a facility must be well equipped to address sudden cardiac arrest incidents. 3. Cardiac arrest is the same thing
For this reason, AEDs were procured to be installed in several locations on AUB as cardiac attack.
Campus. The AED Plus that will be distributed uses voice prompts and visual indicators a) True b) False
to guide the rescuer through a resuscitation sequence that may include defibrillation
and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Other AEDs previously present on Campus Answers are on page 2
(in CHSC and in the Ambulance) follow the same principle and are easy to use but
do not have the same voice prompts. Definitions
The AED Plus supports both adult and pediatric defibrillation electrode pads  Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a
and automatically adjusts the defibrillation energy based on the type of electrode pads condition in which the heart sud-
connected to it. Following attachment of electrodes to a victim’s chest, the defibrillator denly and unexpectedly stops
monitors the electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythm of the victim’s heart, analyzes that beating. If this happens, blood
rhythm, and determines whether the rhythm is shockable or non-shockable. stops flowing to the brain and
When needed, defibrillation energy is delivered through these same electrodes other vital organs. SCA usually
by pressing on the flashing button. The rescuer will then be prompted to perform causes death if it is not treated
CPR for a period of two minutes, after which the unit automatically initiates a new ECG within minutes.
analysis.
 Defibrillation is a process in
The AED Plus monitors the depth and rate of CPR chest compressions. It provides a CPR metronome function which an electronic device gives
designed to encourage rescuers to perform chest compressions at the American Heart Association /European an electrical shock to the heart.
Resuscitation Council recommended rate of 100 compressions per minute (CPM) as well as voice and visual
prompts to encourage a compression depth of 1½ - 2 inches for adult victims.  Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR) involves physical interven-
Staff from the selected buildings were nominated by their Deans/Directors to act as responsible for the AED tions to create artificial circula-
in their locations, and they were trained by the Lebanese Red Cross on CPR and the use of the AEDs. tion through rhythmic pressing
on the patient's chest to manual-
Standards signage will also be used across the campus to indicate the location of AEDs in the buildings
ly pump blood through the heart,
and to direct the user to the AED in the nearest building. called chest compressions.

AUB Campus ● Corporation Yard ● Phone: 961-1-374374 - Ext. 2360, Direct Line: 961-1-749199 ● Fax: 961-1-749198 ● http://www.aub.edu.lb/facilities/ehsrm/Pages/index.aspx 1/2
 March 2017 - Issue # 27

Cardiac Arrest Statistics

 1 in 50 schools in the United States have a  Recent studies have shown that only about 10
cardiac arrest incident every year. percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest out-
side the hospital survive.
 Each year in the US, 350,000 Americans die
suddenly and unexpectedly due to cardiac
 Effective CPR in the first minute of a sudden
cardiac arrest, and a shock delivered by an AED
arrhythmias. 3,976 of them are young people
within 3-5 minutes may save life. Survival rates
under the age of 35.
decrease by 10% with each minute of delay.

Answers to “Think Safe” EHSRM in Action Latest Activities

The Environmental and Chemical Safety Unit conducted training on chemical handling for Nursing, Nutrition and
1. True. The American Heart Biology students, on lab safety for engineering students and on noise measurement for audiology students;
Association has recommended conducted construction safety inspections in DTS, Penrose and Bechtel; conducted lab safety inspections
in Agriculture and Biology; reviewed requisitions related to chemicals’ purchasing; followed-up on occupational
Hands-Only CPR for adults since
safety complaints; developed a draft disciplinary policy for safety violations; reviewed the policy on Hazardous
2008.
Drugs: Administration and Handling; is conducting an occupational risk assessment for PPD shops;
2. False. AED must only be applied and is following-up on the action plan developed to improve health and safety at PEMC shops. .
to victims who are unconscious, The Health Physics Services Unit offered radiation safety training for 10 south ward, Nuclear Medicine and
without a pulse, and not Endocrinology staff; published a policy for regulating the transport of radioactive materials from the cyclotron
breathing. to other facilities; communicated the yearly result of radiation exposure reports to all monitored personnel;
developed a scheme for enforcing penalties on delayed dosimeters; conducted site inspections in the cyclotron
3. False. Although a cardiac attack facility; followed-up on the renewal of the license of the Radiation Oncology and Diagnostic Radiology
may cause cardiac arrest departments and the X-Ray Irradiator in DTS; is assisting the Diagnostic Radiology Department for preparing
and sudden death, the two for the QUANUM accreditation and the PET-CT European accreditation; and is reviewing the radiation safety
terms do not mean the same requirements in the New Medical Center.
thing. A cardiac attack is when The Life and Fire Safety Unit attended the schematic design meetings of the New Medical Center extension with
blood flow to the heart DAR and Perkins and Will; took part in coordination and site meetings and performed several site inspections in
is blocked. the Academic and Clinical Center (ACC) project; reviewed the shop drawings of roof fire fighting, fire alarm, and
emergency lighting; room numbering of L1 and L2, and reviewed the material submittal of the wooden fire rated
A cardiac attack is a doors and Isolation room sliding door, and inspected stair balustrades; took part in the commissioning of Room
“circulation” problem while 419 – OSB and Reserve reading room – Jafet Library; reviewed Lab 502 Agriculture, Student Health Center – Bliss,
sudden cardiac arrest is an and relocation of AUB Bookstore – Ada Dodge; conducted one day safety seminar for Rafik Hariri University Staff
“electrical” problem. and reviewed and inspected several public events.
The Occupational Safety Unit continued the Annual Life and Fire safety round and conducted general safety
rounds in key areas including Operating and Recovery rooms, Eye clinics, and endocrinology laboratory;
continued progress meetings with the IT for the development of an online incident reporting e-form; continued
progress meetings with plant engineering for the observed violations corrective action; assisted various
departments with a wide range or safety related issues and work requests; conducted a technical specification
survey and review with the Project Construction Unit for the Hemodialysis unit; attended a number of meetings
with the new medical center expansion project consultants and worked on developing online education material
for the Emergency Preparedness Plan.
The Sanitation and Biosafety Unit conducted fit testing for AUBMC staff; conducted PAPR training sessions for
nursing staff; commissioned and tested biosafety cabinets at DTS and AUBMC; followed up on biohazardous
waste management on campus; reviewed and commented on students’ events; offered HAZMAT training session
for AUBMC new employees and biosafety related sessions for NFSc and Biology students; conducted biosafety
inspection visits to DTS & PLM labs; conducted spill drills at PLM labs ; followed-up on water treatment project at
IOEC; and followed-up on autoclave testing at DTS.
The Risk Management Unit followed up on many inquiries related to injuries and incidents; offered training
regarding sharps safety and incidents reporting for AUBMC staff; prepared AUBMC annual incidents’ report;
and communicated with IT staff for the online incident report e-form.
Safety in the Spotlight Meet the Emergency Response Team (ERT)
Eliya Mufid Dagher
BS Business Management, 2014
Mr. Eliya Dagher joined the American University of Beirut in March 2016 as a procurement agent in the Procurement
and Contracts Administration department. Following his father’s footsteps, he is a second generation employee at AUB with
commitment towards the University. Eliya constantly strives to achieve results beyond expectations, and always participates
in activities related to the AUB wellbeing. This encouraged him to join the Emergency Response Team in November 2016.
Since he joined AUB, Eliya showed dedication, and has been always alert and ready to respond to incidents on the ground.
Since joining the ERT, Eliya has responded to several calls and assisted in the implementation of proper safety procedures.
He has a high response rate to emergency alarms and has assisted in the implementation of proper safety procedures during special events.

AUB Campus ● Corporation Yard ● Phone: 961-1-374374 - Ext. 2360, Direct Line: 961-1-749199 ● Fax: 961-1-749198 ● http://www.aub.edu.lb/facilities/ehsrm/Pages/index.aspx 2/2