Don’t ignore safety in home health visits
Therapists need special training
Going into someone’s home and into an unfamiliar situation can be a frightening experience.
That’s why many home health agencies provide special safety training and orientation for their home health clinicians.
The home health staff at Indianapolis-based Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana are given a comprehensive orientation program that includes safety and infection control issues that therapists might encounter in the home setting.
The hospital is in the process of developing a training program to help home rehab workers learn to protect themselves. A crisis training program and a driving safety program may be among the components, says Melissa Dill, MS, OT, outpatient program manager.
Therapists at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital Network are required to go through annual inservices on infection control, bloodborne pathogens, universal precautions, and safety management. Braintree’s therapists are issued gloves, masks, gowns, and CPR masks.
The biggest precaution in home care is hand washing, not only to protect patients, but also for the safety of the therapist, says Susan Saya, PT, MBA, contract therapy service director.
Many home health agencies in the greater Boston area have escort services for employees who see patients in unsafe neighborhoods. Saya urges Braintree’s therapists to use the service if they feel uncomfortable in the neighborhood.
Saya encourages therapists to make sure their car is in good working order so they don’t get stranded and put themselves in jeopardy.
Therapists should call first to make sure the patient is home and expecting the visit. Some patients may decide they don’t want the services, or they may have something else come up after they schedule the services.
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