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Healthcare givers are exposed to different hazards and dangers in different forms. Therefore, they must also care for themselves by paying extra attention to their working environments. The following are some safety tips for home health caregivers that can prove beneficial.
Have an accreditation for your job
Most home health caregivers consider their skills just enough to practice healthcare, making it challenging to emphasize the importance of accreditation in healthcare. However, accreditation is also a way to earn the public’s trust by establishing a mark of quality and excellence. Getting accredited for work means you have tested and met the needed qualifications or requirements to pursue a career in healthcare. As a helpful tip, you can enroll in accredited online MSN programs to ensure your professionalism level is top-notch.
Be ready
If you have to drive to your clients, ensure your vehicle is always in good working condition and that you’re practicing safe driving tips. Be sure to have emergency supplies. If you have to commute or walk, stay in well-lit areas with high pedestrian traffic. Call in to check the conditions of clients beforehand to understand everything. The best home healthcare givers have compassion and understand the purpose of giving healthcare.
Evaluate the community
The community where you work influences your service delivery and safety. First, you need to check if the physical community is safe for work. For instance, if the weather is dangerous, you must make sure your client’s residence is still quickly and safely accessible. If it’s your first time working in a new location, you should scout the area and look out for essential landmarks like churches or schools. Where is there a hospital nearby? It is generally safe and more resourceful if you know the ins and outs of the area you work.
Check for hazards
There will always be hazards when working with patients in their homes. It would be best if you watched out for these indoor risks that may pose a severe threat to your physical health. Admonish residents to check and fix the hazards you may have noticed. You wouldn’t want to worry about exposed electrical wires, a lack of handrails on stairs, or any sharp objects when you’re doing your job. Also, slippery walkways or poor lighting should not be neglected. These hazards equally pose a severe threat to your physical health. You can wear protective clothing as an extra caution for your home healthcare services.
Watch your health
As a home health caregiver, it’s only suitable to check your health physically and mentally regularly. Monitor your physical health to make sure you are always in the best conditions. It is safer and more beneficial to your patients and clients that you are in the best health conditions. In addition, it would be better to feel your best so you can render your home healthcare services at all times.
Avoiding lifting injuries
It would be very convenient if you practiced safe lifting and transferring techniques. The best way to avoid injury when transferring or lifting clients is to use appropriate techniques and equipment such as lifts or low-friction slide sheets. Communicate your intentions and make sure your instructions are clear to the client. Avoid having a client hold on to you. If you have to lift manually, it is crucial to practice safe patient handling. Stay closer to the client when lifting and ensure your grip and stance are strong.
Violence mitigation
Violence is a possibility when working as a home healthcare giver. Violence at the client’s residence includes threatening statements or behaviors that can cause physical and emotional harm. Clients or their relatives may become unnecessarily violent or argumentative due to frustration caused by the client’s condition, mental instability, or other reasons. Assess their mood before starting your duties, and be sure to have easy access to an exit if you have to escape threatening moments. Reassure the patient you will address their concerns if they get very argumentative.
Additionally, always have numbers to call for emergencies and resources to protect yourself from any violence. About 30% of caregivers say they need help keeping the person they care for safe. You can report to your supervisor about the situation as soon as possible if things escalate.
Have assured privacy
You will want to be careful with whom you share information if you move from home to home. Home health caregivers come into contact with lots of people as a result of their work. While many home health caregivers may not realize the subtle dangers they may be exposed to, it is essential to be extra cautious about the information you give out. Make sure there are confidential agreements and necessary precautions to keep specific information secure. Ensure that you have a secured and inaccessible private life where necessary.