If you are visiting in the evening or at night, park in a well-lit, easily accessible and secure location.
Home health care workers are incredibly
important members of the healthcare community. They enrich the quality of life of each and every patient by keeping comfort, integrity and dignity at the center of care programs. Unfortunately, home health care workers can face unique risks based on the diverse environments in which they work. From back injuries to unpleasant neighborhood activities, the following safety tips for home health care workers cover a wide spectrum of risks.Physical injuries always pose a risk in any strenuous health activity. In addition, home health workers often spend time in unfamiliar environments, which can lead to accidents such as falls. Back injuries are also common, as home health care workers are often responsible for moving or lifting patients. If you're in a house without a partner or friend, make sure you listen to your body. When moving or lifting a patient, be sure to bend your knees deeply, adopt good posture, and watch the steps you take.
If you have a regular patient who finds it difficult to move or lift objects, consider asking your agency for a friend to help keep you comfortable and safe. Working in home health care can be incredibly rewarding because of the personal relationships that home care workers establish with patients. As a former field nurse in home care and hospices, I've had a good number of stories of family members giving me shivers, tomato plants that looked a lot like marijuana plants, and patients with weapons hidden under mattresses. For that reason, using common sense is one of the most important safety tips for home health workers.
Clean the bottom of the nursing bag, the soles of the shoes, and any equipment that may have been in contact with surfaces in the patient's home. If you go to a house where you suspect that there may be an insect infestation, do not bring the nursing bag into the house. If you're not sure how to identify threatening behavior, consult the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for a variety of resources. Although rare, home health workers can be especially vulnerable to situations of violence or abuse, as they often work alone.
