Here are three single presenter saftey vidoe script series Iwrote for a client. I created the character to make the informative and educational scripts more fun for the viewers.
1. The First series is
Home Sweet Health
Character Description:
The character presenting the series is, Midge, she has a Bronx accent. She’s in her 50’s, maybe 60’s. She’s confident, kind, sassy, takes a no-nonsense approach to life, knows her stuff, and she always comes through for her friends, her family, and her patients.
PREVENTING AND MANAGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Hi everyone, my name is Midge and I’ve worked in home healthcare for years. I know what you’re thinking, I look too young to have done anything for years and you’re right, I was an absolute infant when I started working. (She winks at the viewers)
It’s a real pleasure to be here because you’re a hard-working bunch and real nice people. I can tell, and I don't want to see a one of you risk getting an infectious disease while you’re doing all you can to care for others.
I got one word of advice for you. Safety.
Unless you got into home healthcare to expose yourself to the thrills and excitement of rare, exotic new diseases…you want to steer clear of bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites and other creepy stuff. But, that’s not easy to do in our line of work.
I’ve got to tell you though, there are some fluffy, possibly fictitious infections, you know, like the love bug or spring fever that aren’t so bad. The reason I say, is I have a niece that could use a bite of the love bug.
What can I say about Stella. Well, she’s not exactly pretty, and she’s shaped a bit like a scarecrow. Poor thing. She’s not exactly young and she’s painfully shy. But Stella’s a nice girl. So I’m looking for a husband for her, not someone else’s husband, I’m trying to find my niece her own husband. So, if any of you know of a guy that might be right for Stella, let me know. Because Stella, well, she’s not getting any younger, and my sister wants grandchildren.
Now, where was I? Oh, yes, I was talking about us Healthcare workers. You see, we have a high risk of contact with infectious agents because of the work we do. But, let me tell you, with all we do in one day, we Home Healthcare workers don’t have time to get sick with:
Bloodborne Pathogens Like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Or Hepatitis, And We Can Get Infected From Them By:
· Touching blood and body fluids, and then touching your eyes, nose, mouth, ear, or open skin.
· Handling blood infected laundry and then touching your eyes, nose, mouth, ear, or open skin
· Getting stuck by something sharp that has infected blood or fluid on it, like an injection needle, a diabetes stick, a razor, or a piece of broken glass.
· Biting, for instance, if a person with a bloodborne disease has an open mouth sore and bites a homecare worker, breaking the skin.
· Getting splashed by body fluids or blood in the eyes, mouth, ear, or open skin.
Or Influenza, Ebola, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Tuberculosis, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, And We Can Get Infected From Them By:
· Touching a person, object, or surface contaminated with infectious agent, and then touching your eyes, nose, mouth, ear, or open skin.
· Handling laundry with infected body fluids, and then touching your eyes, nose, mouth, ear, or open skin.
· Breathing in saliva or phlegm when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks real close to you.
· Getting bit by an insect, pest, animal, spider, tick, or infected person.
· Getting scratched by an infected animal or person.
· Eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
· Exposure to, or from handling, animal feces or urine and then touching your eyes, nose, mouth, ear, or open skin.
But I’ve got some good news for you. I happen to know of some Standard Precautions To Prevent Infectious Diseases:
· Hand hygiene
· Personal protective equipment —gloves, gowns, masks
· Safe injection practices
· Safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces in the patient environment
· Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
Use Proper Hand Hygiene:
· Before contact with a patient.
· Before aseptic tasks, like inserting an IV, or preparing an injection.
· After contact with a patient or objects in the patient’s immediate vicinity.
· After contact with blood, body fluids or contaminated surfaces.
· If you move your hands from a contaminated-body site to a clean body site during patient care.
· After removing your personal protective equipment.
Here’s what you do:
If your hands have blood or body fluids on them after caring for patients with Clostridium difficile or norovirus during an outbreak, use soap and water. Otherwise, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) And Follow These Steps:
· Remove and discarded PPE before leaving the patient care area. Except, for a respirator—reprocess it if it’s reusable or remove and discarded it after leaving the patient care area and closing the door.
· Wear gloves for potential contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin or contaminated equipment.
· Don’t wear the same pair of gloves to care for more than one patient. Do not reuse gloves.
· Wear a gown to protect skin and clothing during procedures where you anticipate contact with blood or body fluids. Don’t wear the same gown for more than one patient.
· Wear mouth, nose and eye protection during procedures where you can get splashed or sprayed by blood or other body fluids.
Use General Injection Safety Practices:
· Use aseptic technique when preparing and administering medications.
· Cleanse the access diaphragms of medication vials with alcohol before inserting a device into the vial.
· Never administer medications from the same syringe to multiple patients, even if the needle is changed or the injection is administered through an intervening length of intravenous tubing.
· Do not reuse a syringe to enter a medication vial or container.
· Do not administer medications from single-dose or single-use vials, ampoules, or bags or bottles of intravenous solution to more than one patient.
· Do not use fluid infusion or administration sets (intravenous tubing) for more than one patient.
· Dedicate multidose vials to a single patient whenever possible. If you use multidose vials for more than one patient, keep them in a centralized medication area, don’t bring them into the patient treatment area.
· Dispose of used sharps at the point of use in a closable, puncture-resistant, and leak-proof sharps container.
· Wear a facemask when placing a catheter or injecting material into the epidural or subdural space.
Routinely Clean And Disinfect:
· Establish procedures for routine cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces and decontamination of spills of blood or other potentially infectious materials.
· Select EPA-registered disinfectants or detergents with label claims for use in healthcare.
· Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for use of cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants.
· Reusable medical devices must be cleaned and reprocessed, disinfected or sterilized, and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Respiratory Hygiene And Cough Etiquette
· Implement ways to contain your patient’s respiratory secretions
· Cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing and use and dispose of tissues
· Perform hand hygiene after hands have been in contact with respiratory secretions.
· Provide tissues and no-touch receptacles for disposal of tissues.
· Offer masks to coughing patients and other symptomatic persons visiting the patient.
There you go, now you know how to prevent and manage infectious diseases. So, I’ll be seeing you around, but until then remember, I’ve got one word of advice for you. Safety.
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthcarefacilities/infectious_diseases.html
IMPACT AND RISK FACTORS FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS - ALSO PROPER PATIENT LIFTING
Hi everyone, my name is Midge. You might have guessed from my accent, I’m from New York. I live there for health reasons. I’m paranoid… and New York’s the only place where my fears are justified.
Let me tell you, I’ve worked in home healthcare for years, so it’s a real pleasure to be here with all of you today. Yeah, you’re a hard-working bunch and real nice people. I can tell, and I don't want to see a one of you get hurt while you’re doing all you can to care for others.
So, I got one word of advice for you. Safety.
Now, if you’re a home health care worker you lift patients, usually by yourself with no help, which means you can hurt your back. That’s what they call a musculoskeletal disorder, as you’d call any injury to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, cartilage, bones, or blood vessels in the extremities or back that happened because you lifted, pushed, or pulled something or someone. I’m telling you, you’ll feel pain, stiffness, swelling, numbness, or tingling. Home healthcare workers can also get musculoskeletal disorders from moving in and out of bed or helping patients walk. And, compared to other workers, home healthcare givers take more sick leave from work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Now, that’s something to talk about.
So, take a seat, if you haven’t already, and give your feet a rest, and let's discuss the risks of getting a musculoskeletal disorder. Then, I've got a few things I can tell you about how to prevent an injury like that.
First off, take note of the common duties that can cause these disorders:
· Forceful exertions (lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy loads)
· Awkward postures when lifting
· Repeated activities without adequate recovery time
I happen to know, if you spend most of your time transferring, bathing, and dressing patients you have a higher risk of musculoskeletal injury. And that risk accelerates if you do a lot of heavy lifting, lifting in awkward postures, and lifting without assistance.
I have to tell you, I have a patient now that’s easier than most, because I don’t have to lift him by myself. See, he lives with his son and he does most of the lifting. Yes, such a good boy. And he’s a pretty good-looking, single, dresses nice, has good manners, and he’s got a job. The son, not the father. The father’s retired and bedridden, that’s why he needs a home healthcare giver.
But the son would be perfect for my niece, Stella. Have I mentioned, Stella. Well, Stella’s an awful sweet girl but she’s not getting any younger and my sister wants grandchildren. So, I’m trying to match Stella up with my patient’s son. I swear, I think I have some gypsy fortunetelling blood in my veins, because over the years I’ve been responsible for getting quite a few happy couples together. But, enough about Stella, for now.
When it comes to moving patients, there are some complications:
· bout 40% of patients have one or more functional limitations, which can interfere with the lift.
· Healthcare workers commonly lift and move patients weighing 90 to 250 pounds, which exceeds the NIOSH safe lifting limits for both men and women.
· patient’s body weight is not evenly distributed.
· Certain lifting techniques used to minimize the load on the back can increase the load on other parts of the body, like the neck, shoulders, and arms.
· Patients’ homes usually don’t have equipment to help with transfers.
· Home healthcare workers frequently stand for long periods.
· The patient may be connected to a catheter, I.V., or other equipment, resulting in awkward postures for workers when they transfer them.
Which brings us to another issue.
Awkward positions when lifting a patient.
· Usually, the rooms in patients’ homes are small or crowded, so during patient care and transfer tasks, workers often end up in awkward forward-bent and twisted postures associated with shoulder, neck, and back complaints.
· Beds may not be adjustable, so the worker can’t raise or lower the patient to the best position for a proper lift, this often causes stress on the worker’s back.
But, I’ve e got some good news for you. There are a few things we can do to help prevent musculoskeletal disorders
· Use ergonomic assistive devices if they’re available. They help to position workers in a way that reduces injuries from work tasks.
· Move along the side the patient’s bed to stay in safe postures while performing bedside tasks.
· Don’t stand in the same place while bending, twisting, and reaching.
· When you’re manually moving the patient, stand as close to the patient as possible without twisting your back. Keep your knees bent and your feet apart. To avoid rotating the spine, make sure one foot is in the direction of the move.
· Use a friction-reducing device likes a slip-sheet. The gentle rocking motions can reduce exertion while moving a patient.
· Pulling a patient up in bed is easiest when the head of the bed is flat or down. Raising the patient’s knees and asking them to push, if possible, also helps.
· Apply anti-embolism stockings by pushing them on while standing at the foot of the bed. This position reduces exertion compared to standing at the side of the bed.
Ways To Transfer Patients If Equipment And Help Is Available:
· From Bed to Chair, Chair to Toilet, Chair to Chair, or Car to Chair:
If the patient can bear weight, no assistance is needed, just stand by for safety.
If they can partially bear weight, and is cooperative, only one worker is needed to use the stand and pivot technique with a gait, transfer belt, or powered standing assist lift.
But it they’re not cooperative, use the full body sling lift with two workers. Use toileting slings for toileting and bathing mesh slings for bathing.
If the patient is cooperative, and has upper extremity strength, use a seated transfer aid like a gait or transfer belt until the patient can complete the transfer independently.
If they don’t have upper extremity strength, use a full body sling lift and two workers.
· Reposition in Bed: Side-to-Side, Up in Bed
If the patient can fully assist, assistance is not needed. They may or may not use a positioning aid.
If they can partially assist, encourage them to assist using cues or a positioning aid.
If the patient is over 200 pounds, use a friction-reducing device and two to three workers.
If they cannot assist, use a full-body sling lift -or- friction-reducing device and two or more workers.
· Reposition in Chair: Wheelchair and Dependency Chair
Make sure wheels are locked.
If patient can fully assist, just stand by for safety as needed.
If they can partially assist and has upper extremity strength in both arms, have patient lift up while worker pushes knees to reposition.
If the Patient lacks sensation, cues may be needed to remind them to reposition.
If chair reclines, recline it, then use a friction-reducing device and two workers.
If chair doesn’t recline, use full-body sling lift -or- non-powered stand-assist aid and one to two workers.
· Transfer a Patient Up From The Floor
If the patient is not injured or the injury is minor and they’re independent, no assistance needed, just stand by for safety.
If they weren’t injured or the injury is minor, but they can’t assist, a full-body sling lift is needed with two or more workers.
If the patient was injured, it depends on the type and severity. (follow Standard Operating Procedures).
OSHA recommends that the manual lifting of patients is minimized or eliminated when feasible and encourages employers to implement effective ergonomics.
Well, I’ve got to get back to trying to get Stella married off to a good guy, but before I go, I’ve got one word of advice for you. Safety.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-125/pdfs/2010-125.pdf Pages 15 - 23
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2012-120/pdfs/2012-120.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2012-120/pdfs/2012-120.pdf
MIDGE OCCUPATIONAL STRESS FOR HOME HEALTH WORKERS
Hi everyone, my name is Midge. You might have guessed, I’m from the Bronx and I’ve worked in home healthcare for years, so it’s a real pleasure to be here with all of you today. Yeah, you’re a hard-working bunch and real nice people. I can tell, and I don't want to see a one of you getting hurt while you’re doing all you can to care for others.
So, I’ve got some advice for you, watch out for stress. Now, some stress is healthy, it’s a tension that can energize you mentally and physically. But, stress is often unhealthy, leaving you overwhelmed…stressed out. Home Health care workers in particular, due to the nature of our work, often suffer from unhealthy workplace stress. So, take control of stress before it takes control of you.
I’ve listed the Signs and Symptoms for you:
· Anxiety and irritability
· Apathy, loss of interest in work
· Sleep problems
· Fatigue
· Trouble concentrating
· Muscle tension or headaches
· Social withdrawal
· Coping with alcohol or drugs
· Digestive problems
Some studies indicate that home healthcare workers have more on-the-job stress than comparable jobs like teachers and child care workers. We seem to have less control over and are less excited by their work. This stress can also lead to severe distress, burnout or physical illness. In the end, healthcare workers may be unable to provide high quality healthcare services. Stress and burnout can also be costly because affected healthcare workers take sick leave and may even change jobs. Home healthcare workers took the most long-term sick leave, 30 days or more annually and had the second highest frequency of absenteeism over other comparable jobs. This can lead to severe distress, burnout or physical illness. In the end, healthcare workers may be unable to provide high quality healthcare services. Stress and burnout can also be costly because affected healthcare workers take sick leave and may even change jobs.
You know something else, we home health workers have it two fold we have to put up with some of the same stressors as other healthcare workers:
· Ill and dying clients
· Workload and time pressures
· The emphasis on healthcare cost savings
· Patient aggression
· Patients who are disoriented, irritable, and uncooperative
In addition there is Compassion Fatigue, this is a unique type of stress, which affects healthcare workers. Over time, our skills of compassion are overburdened and our ability to feel and care for others wears down. Another thing is, because we care so deeply about our patients or loved ones, when we listen to stories of fear, pain, and suffering, we might find ourselves empathetically experiencing similar emotions.
But, these feelings are normal and the symptoms of Compassion Fatigue are similar to other kinds of stress as is its treatment.
In addition, home healthcare workers have stressors that healthcare workers in inpatient healthcare settings don’t have:
· Their work is not directly supervised,
· They generally work alone
· They might travel through unsafe neighborhoods
· They often have to face alcohol or drug abusers, family arguments, dangerous dogs, or heavy traffic.
· Employers may not take a proactive enough stance in removing workers from an unsafe work environment or in providing support when workers encounter abusive behavior from the client or the client’s family
· Families may expect more from home healthcare workers than their duties require them to provide.
· Workers may be unsure whose instructions they should follow: the client’s or those of the agency that employs them
· Home healthcare workers face time pressures arising from their client loads and time pressure may reduce the level of service
· Home healthcare workers have experienced an increase in paperwork per each client visit because of state and federal regulatory requirements
· Workers sometimes have clients who won’t comply with prescribed medicine orders or who refuse services
Here are a few things workers can do to reduce occupational stress:
· The first step is to recognize your personal triggers, so you can avoid a stress response altogether.
· Your physical state affects how well you handle stress, so get regular exercise, eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, and only use alcohol and tobacco minimally.
· Get and stay organized, so you’ll be more efficient and productive , and therefore less stressed.
· Life isn’t perfect, so don’t be a perfectionist. Strive for improvement, not perfection.
· Develop good coping skills. Put a positive spin on things. An optimistic outlook will help you handle stress more constructively. Also, look at the funny side, humor always helps.
· Get if off your chest. Talk over your problems with a supportive and empathetic friend or family member.
· Speak up, ask for help. Talk to your supervisor and let them know what’s happening at work so that together you can develop a plan to relieve some of your stressors.
· Improve time management or planning skills through training your employer may provide.
· Use relaxation exercises and deep breathing techniques you learn in training your employer may provide
· Manage your work-life balance. Make time for interests you enjoy outside of your job. Whether they are active, like playing a sport, or quiet, like reading, it’s important to engage in activities you find enjoyable, relaxing, or fulfilling.
· Develop supportive relationships with coworkers and others outside of your work environment.
They’ve got that right supportive family and friends are a great stress reliever. Take my niece, Stella, for instance. I’m close to Stella, she’s a nice girl, and I want to help her out, you know, be supportive in my own way. So, I’ve been pretty busy, trying to find the right guy for her.
Then, I found the one for Stella, he was right under my nose all along. You see, a patient of mine lives with his son, handsome, single, nice smile, good job, so I invited him over for Sunday dinner, you know outside of my work environment and all. Well, I call it an invite. Well see, I told him I’m always home Sunday afternoon and to stop by and we’ll play a game of Pinochle. Then as I walked out, I reminded him that I’d see him Sunday afternoon. He was invited before he knew it and not a clue as to what I was up to. I invited my single niece, Stella over also. His father, my patient said something about his son not wanting to get married. We’ll see about that. I’ll nail him down.
But, we’ll talk about Stella later. Let’s get back to the important matter we were discussing, stress at work, in home health care. Well, we just went over some great ways to deal with stress so it won’t get the better of you. I’m telling you, sometimes you just need to step away for a few minutes and collect yourself. Sometimes, I take a few deep breaths as I count to ten or I go for a short walk.
And, let me tell you workplace stress effects employers also. Attracting good workers and retaining them is a high priority for home healthcare agencies, and providing a healthier, less stressful work environment is an important step in keeping good workers.
Here are a few things Employers can do to reduce occupational stress:
· Provide frequent, quality supervision and agency staff support.
· Provide adequate job training and preparation, including continuing education opportunities.
· Hold regular staff meetings in which problems, frustrations, and solutions can be discussed.
· Include lunch breaks and sufficient travel time in workers’ schedules and allow self-paced work.
· Implement policies and procedures that ensure worker safety
· Provide access to an employee assistance program or other means of counseling support.
· Provide wages and benefits that are competitive with what other Home Healthcare agencies and organizations are offering.
Sources:
PREVENTING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE FOR HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS
Hi everyone, my name is Midge. Let me tell you, I’ve worked in home healthcare for years in the Bronx, so it’s a real pleasure to be here with all of you today. I know you’re a hard-working bunch and real nice people. I can tell, and I don't want to see a one of you get hurt while you’re doing all you can to care for others. So, I got one word of advice for you. Safety.
Every time we go into a patient’s home, we’re entering an unpredictable and unprotected environment and are vulnerable to violence. I happen to know that healthcare workers are assaulted at a rate more than twice that of all other U. S. workers.
There Are Some Ways Employers Can Help:
· Advise staff to exercise extra care in unfamiliar residences
· Workers need the discretion to request backup assistance from another worker or law enforcement officer
· Workers need the discretion to decide to begin or continue a visit if they feel unsafe.
· Make sure workers have means of communication—cell phones or panic buttons
Employers Should Develop Specific Work Procedures To Protect Home Healthcare Workers:
· Draw up clear contracts on how home visits will be conducted, the presence of others in the home during visits, and the refusal to provide services in clearly hazardous situations
· Establish a designated contact person, informed about the employees’ whereabouts throughout the workday, who will follow up if an employee doesn’t report in as expected.
The Uniform Or Dress Code Should Be Designed With The Employee’s Safety In Mind:
· Provide staff with identification badges, to verify employment, preferably without last names.
· Discourage workers from wearing necklaces or chains to help prevent possible strangulation in confrontational situations.
· Discourage workers from wearing expensive jewelry or carrying large sums of money.
· Discourage workers from carrying keys or other items that could be used as weapons.
· Encourage the use of head netting or caps so hair cannot be grabbed and used to pull or shove workers.
Specific Log-In And Log-Out Procedures, Should Include:
· The name and address of client visited
· The scheduled time and length of visit
· A contact number
· A code word used to alert someone of an incident or threat
· Worker’s vehicle’s make, model, color and license plate number
· Details of any travel plans with client
· Contacting the office or a supervisor with any changes.
Several factors that increase the risk of violence directed toward home healthcare workers. We may have patients with complex physical, psychological, psychiatric, and social needs that can pose a danger to others. And, there is the potential for alcohol and drug abuse in the home. Also, some patients keep a gun in the house. As if those weren’t enough hazards, you can end up having to deal with a patient’s poor resources, poor hygiene, aggressive pets, and chaotic family relationships. Family issues are far more likely to get out of hand in the home than in a hospital setting.
And victims of workplace violence can suffer from:
· Short-and long-term psychological trauma
· Fear of returning to work
· Changes in relationships with coworkers and family
· Feelings of incompetence, guilt, and powerlessness
· Fear of criticism by supervisors or managers
· Minor to serious physical injuries
· Temporary or permanent physical disability
· Even death: home healthcare workers have lost their lives because of assaults.
There’re plenty of other ways for employers and workers to help prevent violent home healthcare situations.
First, Let’s Take A Look At The Patients:
· Check the behavioral history of new and transferred patients for past incidents of violent or assaultive behavior.
· Establish a system—chart tags, log books or verbal census reports—to identify patients and clients with a history of violence and identify triggers such as certain dates or visitors.
· Identify the type of violence including severity, pattern and intended purpose.
· With the information gained, formulate individualized plans for ways to de-escalate this violent behavior.
· Make sure workers know and follow procedures for updating patients’ behavior.
· If stalking is suspected, consider varying check-in and check-out times for affected workers and plan different travel routes for those workers.
When It Comes To Transportation:
· Develop safety procedures for transporting patients.
· Ensure that workers transporting patients have a reliable cell phone so they can call their home office
· When driving alone, keep the doors locked and the car windows up.
· Park the car in a well-lighted area.
· Park away from large trees or shrubs someone can hide behind.
· Keep healthcare equipment, supplies, and personal belongings out of sight, locked in the trunk.
· Before exiting your car, check the surrounding location. If you feel uncomfortable, don’t get out.
When It Comes To Reporting:
· Require workers to report all assaults or threats to a supervisor or manager.
· Establish a liaison with local police, counselors, and state prosecutors.
· Advise workers of company procedures for requesting police assistance or filing charges when assaulted—and assist them in doing so, if necessary.
· Provide management support and respond promptly to all complaints.
· Ensure that adequately trained staff members and counselors are available to de-escalate a situation and counsel patients.
· Prepare contingency plans to treat clients who get out of control or who make verbal or physical attacks or threats.
· Develop emergency action plans to ensure workers know how to call for help or medical assistance.
All of this reminds me of last Sunday at my house. Speaking of aggressive behavior, I tied some people up. Well, it wasn’t really like that. It was all in the name of love. You see, my patient’s son Joe came over Sunday, I made cupcakes and coffee and introduced him to Stella, my niece, I’m trying to get him and Stella together, you know, to eventually tie the knot so to speak. So, I wrapped the two of them together with some rope. Well, it’s a game, a puzzle actually. So, once they go out of it, I told Stella to invite him over for dinner. So, step one, okay. I’ll keep you posted on how it works out.
But for now I need to get back to our important discussion on real violence in the work place. Like I was telling you, there plenty of ways to prevent or to control violence in a Patient’s Home.
· Use Cell phones and GPS Tracking
· Assess the home for planned exit routes
· Establish Patient and client areas to calm down and de-escalate
· Make sure carrying cases for medical equipment, medicines and valuables have working locks
· Work with the client to ensure there is adequate lighting both indoors and in the outdoor area.
· Make sure vehicles are properly maintained
· Present a calm, caring attitude to diffuse anger. Don’t give orders or match threats.
· If possible, scheduled visits during the daytime, especially in high-crime areas
· Avoid any behavior that could seem aggressive like moving fast, getting too close, touching unnecessarily, or raising your voice.
· If you can’t gain control of the situation, shorten the visit or remove yourself from the situation or if you feel threatened, leave immediately.
· Notify your employer if there’s an unsecured weapon in the patient’s home.
· If you notice strong chemical odors or suspect there’s a drug lab in the area, notify the local police and your employer.
· If someone approaches you looking for ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, notify the local police and your employer.
· If someone approaches you looking for needles, notify your employer.
· Consider working in pairs in high-crime areas.
There you go, now you know how to prevent and manage workplace violence. So, I’ll be seeing you around, but until then remember, I’ve got one word of advice for you. Safety.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-125/pdfs/2010-125.pdf Pages 45 - 49
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3148.pdf
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3148.pdf
HOW TO PREVENT NEEDLE STICK AND SHARPS INJURIES - INCLUDE DISPOSAL
Hi everyone, my name is Midge. You might have guessed from my accent, I’m from the Bronx. And, I’ve worked in home healthcare for years, so it’s a real pleasure to be here with all of you today. You’re a hard-working bunch and real nice people. I can tell, and I don't want to see a one of you getting hurt while you’re doing all you can to care for others.
So, I got one word of advice for you. Safety.
And, I’ve got a few things to tell you about safety with sharps such as needles, scalpels, broken glass, capillary tubes and the exposed ends of dental wires. If blood or other potentially infectious materials as defined in the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), are on or might be on the sharp, it’s a contaminated sharp and appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn. The standard specifies measures to reduce these types of injuries and the risk of infection. bloodborne diseases.
Needlestick and other sharps injuries are a serious hazard A needlestick or a cut from a contaminated sharp can result in a worker being infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and other bloodborne pathogens, which pose a grave, potentially lethal risk. Careful handling of contaminated sharps can prevent injury and reduce the risk of infection. Employers must ensure that workers follow these work practices to decrease the workers’ chances of contracting Bloodborne Pathogens.
Home Healthcare Workers Can Be At Risk For Needlestick Or Sharps Injuries When They:
· Handle needles that must be taken apart or manipulated after use.
· Dispose of needles attached to tubing.
· Manipulate the needle in the client.
· Recap a needle.
· Use needles or glass equipment to transfer body fluid between containers.
· Fail to dispose of used needles in puncture-resistant sharps containers.
· Lack proper workstations for procedures using sharps.
· Work too fast.
· Bump into a needle, a sharp, or another worker while either person is holding a sharp
You know how you always try to follow the rules or procedures, except for those times that you have the wisdom not to, well this isn’t one of those times. Don’t be a schmuck follow these rules:
And Your Employees Should:
· Use safe and effective alternatives to needles when available.
· Avoid recapping or bending needles that might be contaminated.
· Bring standard-labeled, leak-proof, puncture-resistant sharps containers to clients’ homes. Do not assume such containers will be available there. Promptly dispose of used needle devices and sharps, which might be contaminated, in the containers.
· Plan for the safe handling and disposal of needles before use.
· Store sharps containers out of the reach of children, pets, and others who don’t need access.
· Secure used sharps containers during transport to prevent spilling.
· Follow standard precautions, infection prevention, and general hygiene practices consistently.
· Participate in your employer’s bloodborne pathogens training program.
· Help your employer select and evaluate devices with safety features.
· Report any needlestick or other sharps injury immediately to your employer.
If You Experience A Needlestick Or Sharps Injury Or Are Exposed To The Blood Or Other Body Fluid Of A Client During The Course Of Your Work, Immediately Follow These Steps:
1. Wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water
2. Flush splashes to the nose, mouth, or skin with water.
3. Irrigate eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile irrigants
4. Report the incident to your supervisor.
5. Immediately seek medical treatment.
I’ve got to tell you, all this talk of needles has me thinking about a patient I give injections to. You see it was his birthday recently. And, I wanted to do something for him and his son that he lives with, but mainly I wanted to do something for my niece Stella. She’s a sweet girl who hasn’t found Mr. Right. She’s also an only child and my sister wants grandchildren.
So, I got Stella and my patient’s son together, they met at my house one Sunday. Afterwards, I told Stella to invite him, his name is Joe, over for dinner. But, she didn’t. She says she can’t cook. Can you believe that? So, when I saw that my patient’s birthday was on a day I wasn’t scheduled to work for him, I knew I had the perfect opportunity to give Joe and Stella another chance. (winks at viewers) So, I baked a cake and had Stella take it over to them, since I wasn’t able to. So, Stella met Joe’s father and spent the day with Joe at his house. So far so good. I’ll keep you posted on how it works out.
But now we need to get back to the even more important matter of safety with needle stick and sharps. I have some things to tell you about Safer Medical Devices.
Employers are expected to switch over to safer medical devices wherever possible. These devices include those that are needleless or contain built-in protection to safeguard workers against contact with the contaminated sharp. Also, employers are required to ask their patient care workers, who might be exposed to contaminated sharps injuries, for feedback and input in identifying, assessing and deciding on effective, yet securer work practices and engineering controls, including safer medical devices. The employer has to keep an Exposure Control Plan, documenting the deliberation and implementation of these devices, and their requests for input from their workers.
Employers Should
· Establish a bloodborne pathogen control program that meets all of the requirements of the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard
· Eliminate the use of needle devices whenever safe and effective alternatives are available.
· Provide needle devices with safety features.
· Provide sharps containers for workers to bring into clients’ homes.
· Investigate all sharps-related injuries.
· Provide post-exposure medical evaluations.
Prompt Disposal
· Employers must make sure contaminated sharps are thrown away in sharps disposal containers as soon as they're used or as soon as it's feasible after use. Sharps disposal containers must be easily accessible and as close as possible to the area where sharps are used. In some cases, they can be placed on carts to prevent patients, such as psychiatric patients or children, from accessing the sharps. Containers must be available wherever sharps may be found, such as in laundries.
· Contaminated sharps must never be sheared or broken. Recapping, bending, or removing needles is permissible only if there is no other alternative or if it’s required for a specific medical or dental procedure.
Sharp Containers:
· The containers for contaminated sharps must be puncture-resistant.
· The sides and the bottom have to be leakproof.
· They must be labeled appropriately or color-coded red to warn everyone that the contents are hazardous.
· Containers for disposable sharps must be closable with a lid, flap, door, or other means of shutting the container.
· Also, they must be kept upright to keep the sharps and any liquids from spilling out of the container.
· The containers must be replaced routinely and not be overfilled, which can increase the risk of needlesticks or cuts.
· Sharps disposal containers that are reusable must not be opened, emptied, or cleaned manually or in any other manner that would expose workers to the risks of a sharps injury.
· Employers also must ensure that reusable sharps that are contaminated aren’t stored or processed in a way that requires workers to reach by hand into the containers where these sharps have been placed.
Handling Containers:
Before sharps disposal containers are removed or replaced, close them to prevent the contents from spilling. If there’s a chance the disposal container might leak, the employer must have it placed in a secondary container that is closable, appropriately labeled or color-coded red, and constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage during handling, storage, transport, or shipping.
Well, that’s all for today. I’ve got to go, I have some more matchmaking to do, but as I leave, I’ve got one word of advice for you. Safety.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2012-123/pdfs/2012-123.pdf
https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_BloodborneFacts/bbfact02.pdf
MIDGE HOW TO HANDLE COMBATIVE CLIENTS
Hi everyone, my name is Midge and I’ve worked in home healthcare for years. So, it’s a genuine pleasure to be here because you’re a hard-working bunch and real nice people. I can tell, and I don't want to see a one of you risk getting hurt by a combative client. I got one word of advice for you. Safety.
You see, we healthcare workers have little control over our work environment. And, working in a patient’s home presents a number of safety and health hazards, including dealing with combative clients.
There all sorts of reasons clients become combative. Mental health conditions such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia, or cognitive impairment can contribute to threatening or violent behavior. Other health-related causes that can induce episodes of combative behavior are hearing and visual impairments, hormonal changes, loss of control of body functions, and multiple illnesses or disabilities. Other triggering factors include pain or physical illness, such as infections, low blood sugar, or seizure activity. Psychiatric disorders or adverse reactions to medication may also cause combative behavior. In addition, clients who have difficulty coping with losses may be at increased risk for violence. Examples include grief over the death of a spouse, or loss of normal vision, hearing or speech. Clients can also become combative due to the influence of alcohol or other substances. Environmentally, lighting, whether it be very bright or dim, as well as noise, clutter and change in routines can also trigger combative behaviors.
Non-verbal or physical behaviors may include hitting, pinching, spitting, pushing, kicking, or throwing things. Usually, there is a progression of combative. The client might start out tense, annoyed, and then snap out verbal complaints, which may lead to swearing or threats, and eventually to physical acts like hitting or kicking.
There Are Some Early Signs And Risk Factors To Watch Out For:
· Verbal expressions of anger
or frustration—such as tone,
yelling, cursing.
· Body language—such as
pacing, clenched fists, coming
too close, agitated movements.
· A history of mental illness, alcoholism, drug abuse,
or violence.
· A history of troubled relationships with others in the home, or of troubling behaviors.
· Alcohol or drug abuse.
· Other high-risk illegal behavior.
· Recent life crises—such as illness, job loss, death—that cause new stress and tension.
Also, our behavior toward clients can greatly reduce or induce the risk of aggression. We communicate to others nonverbally by our appearance, body language and tone of voice. Non-verbally, project a calm, yet attentive, facial expression, keep your body loose, avoid aggressive signals such as clenching your fists or crossing your arms. Maintain caring eye contact, but don’t stare aggressively at the client. Behave kindly and gently toward you patients and speak in a calm tone. Maintaining a routine, calm environment and providing for your client’s needs for food, rest, comfort, and social interaction can go a long way toward preventing combative behavior. Whereas a caregiver, who is overly authoritarian, uses startling gestures, rough handling or demeaning conversation can incite a patient’s aggression. Also, when working with clients who have dementia, consistently remind them who you are, to avoid fear and possible mistaken identity.
Not to get off of the subject, but all this talk of body language and nonverbal communication got me thinking about my niece, Stella. She’s got this bright smile all the time now and she dreamingly gazes off in the distance whenever I mention, Joe. Stella’s in love. The lucky guy, Joe, is the son of a patient of mine. A good boy with a good job, so I introduced him to Stella and now they’re dating. I told Stella, you’ve got to invite him over for dinner. Well, Stella’s not much of a cook. She microwaves frozen dinners. So, I’m going over to her place to help her cook Joe’s favorite foods and then I’m leaving at least an hour before he’s due to arrive for the home cook meal Stella made. (She winks at the viewers) I’ll be hearing wedding bells for those two pretty soon. But, enough about Stella and Joe, let’s get back to the important matter of how to handle combative clients.
Now, I Have Some Advice For You If You Are Confronted By A Combative Client:
· Figure out what’s upsetting them
· Be conversational, not authoritarian in your requests
· Stay calm, use patience and firmness
· Be empathetic, express support and understanding
· Use culturally appropriate eye contact. There are people who find direct eye contact a threat, and for others it conveys a sense of concern and support.
· Stay about six feet from the combative client, so it will be harder for them to strike you.
· Redirect attention to a conversation or activity that will lead toward the end of the crisis
· It might be necessary to leave the client until they calm down
· If possible, call your agency to alert them of the situation
Here Are Ways To Defuse Anger:
· Display a calm, caring, and confident attitude.
· Keep your voice low and your tone calm.
· Don’t argue or give orders.
· Do not match threats or mirror
body language.
· Acknowledge the other person’s feelings.
Employees Should Also:
· Participate in violence-prevention training offered by your employer.
· Report all incidents of violence to your employer, no matter how minor they seem.
· Always let your employer know where you are and when to expect you to report in.
· Notify your employer if you see an unsecured weapon in the client’s house.
· Avoid any behavior that might seem aggressive, like moving rapidly, getting too close, touching unnecessarily, or speaking loudly.
· Try to keep a pathway open for exiting.
· Trust your judgment.
· Avoid situations that don’t feel right.
· If you’re being verbally abused, ask the abuser to stop. If they don’t stop, leave and notify your employer.
· If you can’t gain control of the situation, shorten the visit. If you feel threatened, leave immediately.
· If you need help, use your cell phone to call your employer or 911, depending on the severity of the situation.
To Assist Workers With Combative Patients, Employers Should:
· Create a zero-tolerance policy for all violent incidents.
· Train workers to recognize and prevent workplace violence.
· Investigate all reports of violence.
· Work with the police to identify dangerous neighborhoods where special precautions need to be taken and share that information with your employees.
· Develop a standard definition of workplace violence.
· Ask employees to report every incident, even if they think it won’t happen again or it might not be serious.
· Develop a written plan for ensuring personal safety and reporting violence.
· Notify workers to the risks of their assignments and how to tell if their work environment and its surroundings are safe.
· Train employees to recognize verbal abuse.
· Train employees to identify different types of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
· Train employees to recognize the signs and body language associated with combative behavior and how to manage or prevent violent behavior with de-escalation techniques.
· Investigate all reports of dangerous work environments and of violent assault.
· Analyze reports of violent assault, and use them for revising safety procedures.
· Keep close track of staff members’ schedules.
· Provide cell phones to all staff on duty.
· Establish a no-weapons policy in patient homes.
· If such a policy is not required, at minimum, request that all weapons are disabled, removed from the area where care is provided, and stored in a secure location before service is provided.
Well, that’s our discussion on Home Healthcare Workers’ safety for today. I have to run, I’ve got to go to Stella’s place and cook that home made dinner (she’s making for Joe,) winks at viewers but before I go, I’ve got one word of advice for you. Safety.
Sources:
https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/downloads/blankpdf/health%20files/HomeHealthCare%20Industryrev.pdf
http://homecareforyou.com/exam/papers/inservice_mar09_combative.pdf
MIDGE PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO BODILY FLUIDS
Hi everyone, my name is Midge. You might have guessed from my accent, I’m from the Bronx. Let me tell you, I’ve worked in home healthcare for years, so it’s a real pleasure to be here with all of you today. You’re a hard-working bunch and real nice people. I can tell, and I don't want to see a one of you getting hurt while you’re doing all you can to care for others.
So, I got one word of advice for you. Safety.
As home health care workers, we’re exposed to many body fluids that may transmit infections. I tell you, Bloodborne pathogens, those pathogenic microorganisms present in human blood, can cause deadly diseases. But, body fluids such as tears, sweat, saliva, urine, and vomit are not thought to carry blood-borne pathogens unless you can see blood in them. In circumstances where it’s hard to differentiation between body fluid types, all body fluids should be considered potentially infectious.
Exposure to a patient’s body fluids can occur by a needlestick or sharp object injury, mucous membrane splash of body fluids to eye, nose, or mouth, or contact of a patient’s body fluids with nonintact skin. Most incidents of exposures are caused when workers don’t follow standard precautions. Adherence to standard precautions, including strict use of PPE lowers the chances of bloodborne pathogen exposures tremendously.
The estimated annual number of needlestick and sharps injuries in the United States is around 385,000. These injuries may expose healthcare workers to more than 20 different bloodborne pathogens, the most severe are hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV. The risk of developing HIV after a needlestick injury is about 0.3% and after a splash it’s 0.09%. The risk for hepatitis B is 6% to 30% and the risk for hepatitis C after a needlestick is about 1.8 %, and it’s much lower after a splash.
Treat all blood and potentially infectious materials with appropriate precautions:
· Wear protective equipment like gloves, masks, and gowns if blood or OPIM exposure is anticipated.
· Use engineering and work practice controls to limit exposure.
· Avoid risky behavior when using needles and other sharp instruments, including scissors, scalpels, blades, and knives.
· Make sure you’re immunized against hepatitis B. This vaccine should be offered to you by your employer.
If You’re Exposed To Blood By A Cut, A Needle-Stick, Or A Splash:
If your skin has no breaks, cracks, or rashes, you have almost no risk of being infected by a blood-borne pathogen from a splash of blood. Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly to wash off the residual body fluids.
If your skin is broken by a needle-stick or blood splashes onto broken skin, immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.
If blood splashes into your eyes, nose, or mouth, immediately flush your eyes, nose, or mouth with water. Irrigate your eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile irrigants.
Get medical attention right away. Don’t wait to tell your employer or the employee health service about the incident. Delaying treatment will increase your risk. But, as soon as you receive immediate medical attention, do notify your supervisor of the injury. It may need to be reported to the company’s Workers Compensation insurer.
Both you and the source patient will be tested. The source patient’s current and past infections will also be checked.
If the source patient has HIV, you might need preventive medicines such as HIV prophylaxis, which consists of a recommended 28-day course of anti-viral medication. These medicines should be started within hours of the incident. Post-exposure prophylactic treatment is prescribed according to CDC guidelines and considering the source patient’s risk factors and specifics of the exposure situation. Prophylaxis should be started immediately, but no later than 36 hours for HIV. In the past, HIV prophylaxis was often associated with severe side effects, which led to early discontinuation of prophylactic treatment and low compliance. Newer drug combinations such as tenofovir plus emtricitabine (Truvada) or zidovudine–lamivudine (Combivir) are associated with substantially less toxicity and improved adherence. Depending on the HIV status of the source patient, additional medication may be prescribed. These could be ritonavir–lopinavir (Kaletra), ritonavir plus atazanavir or ritonavir plus darunavir. Observational data suggests that post-exposure HIV prophylaxis is approximately 80% effective in averting subsequent HIV seroconversion, but it’s not a guarantee of protection.
As a part of HIV screening you will receive HIV counseling and advised to refrain from donating blood, plasma, organs, tissue, or semen; to avoid breastfeeding; to use methods to prevent pregnancy; and to use risk reduction methods including latex barriers during sex, not sharing injection equipment, and abstaining from risk behaviors. You will be counseled about the signs and symptoms of acute retroviral syndrome (flu-like syndrome), and advised to return for additional testing at the onset of such symptoms.
If the source patient is infected with hepatitis B, and you didn’t develop immunity to hepatitis B after being immunized, you will be given hepatitis B immune globulin, along with initiation of hepatitis B vaccination. Prophylaxis should be started immediately, but no later than 24 hours to 7 days for hepatitis B.
During the course of prophylactic treatment for HIV and hepatitis B, you’ll be advised to return for additional blood tests, complete blood count, creatinine, and liver enzymes at 2 weeks and 4 weeks to monitor for drug toxicity. If side effects occur while you are taking post-exposure prophylaxis, tell your doctor. In some cases prophylactic medication might be changed and additional tests might be needed.
If the source patient has syphilis, you will be treated with antibiotics.
If the source patient has hepatitis C, you should be tested for the virus. If you’re infected with hepatitis C, talk to your doctor about treatment. The standard treatment for hepatitis C is a combination of antiviral medicines. There is no prophylaxis available for hepatitis C.
After you complete prophylactic treatment, you’ll need follow-up screening at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months from the date of exposure. A 12-month follow up is recommended if hepatitis C conversion occurred, which may lead to delayed HIV conversion.
Safety measures
Needlestick exposures and splash incidents at the workplace are dangerous and can be potentially lethal. However, a safer work environment can be achieved by following Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines. The OSHA Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act requires employers to initiate a written exposure control plan and worksite-specific needlestick prevention programs to protect employees. These programs include using a Sharps Injury Log, selecting and evaluating safer medical devices based on employee feedback and device effectiveness, and complying with standard precautions, including use of PPE.
Over the last decade a variety of safety-featured devices have become available, including needless systems, self-sheathing needles, and blunt suture needles. These devices, along with sharps disposal containers can significantly decrease potential exposures to bloodborne pathogens in the workplace. It’s important that when new devices become available at the workplace, you get trained on how to use them properly. Voice your opinion to the management about safety features of the devices, and adhere to OSHA Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act guidelines for safer practices.
Thinking about the changes to safety devices in the last decade has me thinking about getting older, and thinking about getting older has me thinking about my niece, Stella…cause Stella’s not getting any younger. You know what, it finally happened. Joe popped the question. But wait, you don’t know what Stella said. Get a load of this, she told him she wasn’t ready to get married. Can you believe that? They’re going to live together for a while instead of getting hitched. I tell you…these kids today.
Well, now you know the latest on Stella and more importantly, you know how to prevent exposure to bodily fluids when you’re working in home healthcare. So, I’ll be seeing you around, but until then I’ve got one word of advice for you. Safety.
IDENTIFYING TRIPPING HAZARDS IN THE HOME FOR BOTH THE EMPLOYEE AND THE CLIENT
Hi everyone, my name is Midge. You might have guessed from my accent, I’m from the Bronx. And, I’ve worked in home healthcare for years, so it’s a real pleasure to be here with all of you today. You’re a hard-working bunch and real nice people. I can tell, and I don't want to see a one of you getting hurt while you’re doing all you can to care for others.
So, I got one word of advice for you. Safety.
And, today we’re talking about workplace safety and slips, trips, and falls.
· Let me tell you about the hazards of Slips, Trips, and Falls
· The distress Slips, Trips and Falls cause
· And ways we can prevent these work place incidents.
As a step in closing the research gap in home care, a large cross-sectional survey of New York City-based home health aides and personal assistants was conducted to assess home health care-associated potential health and safety hazards A convenience sample of 1,561 home health aides, attendants, and personal care workers completed a risk assessment survey. In summary, this study presented evidence of hazards that could lead to slips, trips, and falls. Seventeen percent cited excessive clutter like lose rags, and other obstacles. Poor lighting, which can also result in injuries, was noted by five percent. And, slips, trips and falls accounted for a significant number of injuries in Home Healthcare. Workers, clients and their families may be exposed to slip and trip hazards inside and outside the house.
Slips usually occur when there is a loss of grip between the shoe and floor or a contaminant between the shoe and the floor. Trips occur when a person’s foot hits a low obstacle in the person’s path, causing a loss of balance. It is often due to an obstacle that is not easily seen or noticed.
Some Risk Factors That Contribute To Slips Are:
· Contaminants on the floor, which can be wet like water or oil. Or dry like talcum powder or plastic bags.
· Slippery floor surfaces, especially in areas which may become wet or contaminated like bathrooms and toilets.
· Wet, muddy, or greasy shoes
Trips most often occur because of uneven flooring or cluttered walkways with low obstacles. Low obstacles are hazards that aren’t easily seen, they may be on a floor, a rug, or tiles you and your patient have walked on time and time again.
Common Examples Of Low Obstacles Include:
· Electrical Cords
· Uneven Edges To Flooring
· Changes Of Floor Surface Levels.
· Loose Rugs Or Mats Or Carpet Tiles
· Shifting Floor Tiles Or Loose Floorboards
· Broken Or Uneven Steps
Slips, trips and falls don’t always occur because of the condition of the floor or walking surface or due to what’s on them.
Human frailties and weaknesses can cause slips, and falls as well for both yourself and you patients, like:
· Rushing
· Physical condition and fatigue
· Failing eyesight or visual perception
· The effects of medication, drugs or alcohol
· Carrying bulky or too many objects at one time
· Not paying attention to your surroundings while walking
· Lower body weakness
· Vitamin D deficiency
· Difficulties with walking and balance
· Use of medicines, such as tranquilizers, sedatives, or antidepressants. Even some over-the-counter medicines can affect balance and how steady you are on your feet.
· Vision problems
· Foot pain or poor footwear
After a Fall
Many falls don’t cause injuries. However, one out of five falls results in a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. These injuries can make it hard for a person to get around, do everyday activities, or live on their own.
· Falls can cause broken bones, like wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures.
· Falls can cause head injuries. These can be serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines like blood thinners. An older person who falls and hits their head should see their doctor right away to make sure they don’t have a brain injury.
· Many people, who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.
Now, not to change the subject or anything, but I’ve got to tell you, all this talk of falls has me thinking of Joe, he’s the son of a patient of mine. And, he sure did fall hard for Stella. That’s my niece. He asked her to marry him but at the time she said she wasn’t ready and she’d live with him instead. Let me tell you how that went. Well, when the moving truck arrived at Joe’s house, with all of Stella’s stuff, she looked at Joe and said, “You know, there is one thing I need first before I move in here.” He said, “Sure, what?” And Stella said, “I’m going to need to marry you first. I know I said no, but I’ve changed my mind. I want to marry you, I had no idea how bad I wanted to marry you until now.”
So, Stella’s getting married. I knew it. They’re perfect for each other. Why those two came together like a couple of taxis on Broadway. But, we’ll talk about the wedding later. Right now, we need to get back to the important matter of preventing slips, trips, and falls.
To Prevent Falls Due To Human Weaknesses You And Your Patients Should:
· Do Strength and Balance Exercises
· You and your patients should do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance. Tai Chi is a good example of this kind of exercise.
· Have annual Eye Exams
· You and your patients should have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year, and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.
· If you or your patients have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.
· For your patients, have their doctor review their medicines to see if any might make them dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines and over-the
counter medicines.
· Have your patient ask their doctor about taking vitamin D supplements
Simple Cost Effective Measures To Reduce The Number And Severity Of Slips, Trips And Fall Are:
· Put additional anti-skid tape on external steps to improve surfaces as a short- to medium term measure.
· Keep floors clean and dry. Clean spills up promptly.
· Minimize walking on recently mopped floors
· For the outdoors—growth like moss and slime as well as leaf litter should be cleared from pathways.
· Pickup things off the floor that someone could trip over.
· Make sure your patient has grab bars inside and outside their tub or shower, and next to the toilet.
· Make sure your patient has railings on both sides of stairs.
· Make sure the home has lots of light and have more or brighter light bulbs added.
· Ensuring outside lighting is adequate to see potential slip or trip hazards clearly, without glare or shadowing.
· Make sure the floor surface is free of holes, uneven surfaces, curled up linoleum, and carpet edges.
· Avoid changes in floor surface level, or if this isn’t possible, highlight these changes such as on the edge of the step in a split-level home.
· Promote safe work in cramped working spaces by avoiding awkward positions, and use equipment that makes lifts less awkward.
· Make sure there are adequate storage facilities.
· Make sure your patients are able to maintain their balance when performing tasks and can recover if they slip or trip.
· If carrying a load, workers should have full view of where they need to travel and should also have a free hand to hold onto a rail when walking down steps.
· Get floor plugs for equipment, so power cords need not run across pathways.
· Temporary electrical cords that do cross aisles should be taped or anchored to the floor.
· Use only properly maintained ladders to reach items. Don’t use stools, chairs, or boxes as substitutes for ladders.
· When using a ladder, make sure at least three points of contact are maintained at all times for stability and balance.
· Ensure footwear is suitable and comfortable, has adequate non-slip soles, and that the treads are not worn away or clogged with contaminants.
So you know now, how to prevent trips, slips, and falls at work. I’ll be seeing you around and I’ll send you an invitation to Joe and Stella’s wedding if I can. Until then remember, I’ve got one word of advice for you. Safety.
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/82503/community-working-safely-in-peoples-homes.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
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