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“Let’s Be Careful Out There”…
Staying Safe in Home Care
By Kathy Clark, MSN, RN, CPN
VP of Support Services, CareMed Chicago
Hazards in the Home
Healthcare workers face the same risks as those who work in hospital, clinic, and office settings. However,
the work environment is less predictable and less controlled than in these other settings.
Hazards in the Home• Cluttered rooms• Patients in regular beds• Limited resources and equipment• Narrow stairways• Limited lighting• Small bathrooms that are often not
clean• Family pets…and family members• Dangerous neighborhoods• Bad weather conditions
HAZARD: Musculoskeletal Injuries
CAUSES
• Heavy patients in
regular beds
• No “lifting help”
• Cluttered work setting
• In and out of car, homes
PREVENTION
• Proper body mechanics when lifting, transferring patients
• Good posture• Careful carrying of
bag, supplies
HAZARD: Slips, Trips, & Falls
CAUSES
• Wet, cluttered floors• Loose carpets or rugs• Pets and children• Electrical cords
PREVENTION
• Wear sensible shoes• Watch where you are
walking• Don’t hurry!• Keep a clear work
area
HAZARD: Infection Control & Medical Waste Handling
PROBLEMS• No PPE (“I used the last
gloves/mask,” etc.)
• Unclean surroundings (bugs!); no appropriate handwashing facilities
• Overfilled sharps containers
• Leaking medication containers (chemo)
PREVENTION• Keep bag stocked with PPE
items• Carry waterless soap, and
wash hands with “real” soap and water as soon as possible; good bag technique
• Teach patients about proper disposal
• Inspect meds, supplies
HAZARD: Personal Safety
PROBLEMS
• Dangerous neighborhoods
• Car problems• Traffic/detours• Workplace violence--
family violence• Bad weather
conditions/disasters
PREVENTION• Do not visit known
dangerous areas in the dark
• Keep car in good condition
• Have a good map; always know “another way”
• Avoid unsafe situations in the home
• Be prepared!
GENERAL HAZARDS
• Electrical--overloaded outlets, frayed cords; or, lack of power
• Fire--cluttered living areas, smoking in bed, oxygen, no fire extinguisher
• Broken/inappropriate use of equipment, lack of supplies
Staying Safe “Out There”
• Know your patient--review the information prior to the visit
• Plan morning visits for the patients in unsafe areas
• Notify the office/scheduler if your schedule changes, so someone knows where you are
• Know where you are going--get directions
Staying Safe “Out There”
• Carry a cell phone, or change for a pay phone• Do not carry a purse or wear expensive jewelry;
lock purse and any valuables in the trunk• Be aware of your surroundings• Take the “beater”, not the “beamer”; keep
car in good condition, with enough gas• If you arrive at a visit, and the area appears
unsafe, drive away and call the office
Staying Safe “Out There”
• Make the patient aware that they have a responsibility to provide you with a safe work environment, just as you have a responsibility to provide quality care