 March is Patient Safety Awareness Month
Living at home for as long as possible is important to many individuals. The idea of what “home” means to many people includes feelings of safety and security. It is anticipated that, due to many factors, older people will continue to be more likely to live alone in their homes. Because of safety and other considerations, health care delivered in the home will continue to be more sought out. Safety in the home is an important consideration in maintaining independence, avoiding negative outcomes, and avoiding accidents or injuries that impact quality of life.
There are many risks for accident or injury within the home. Usually at the top of one’s mind are items that may cause an accident or injury such as rugs, steps, loose items, and electrical/gas appliances. However, many other things in the home are often overlooked but should be evaluated when considering overall safety. Quite often, accidents happen in the bathroom due to lack of adaptive devices or grab bars. Even getting in and out of the bathtub can be risky for a very healthy individual. Sometimes a home may have a difficult entry with doors and steps to maneuver which presents challenges. Poor lighting, pets, lack of sharps containers, lack of handrails, and inappropriate clothing can all increase the risk for injury at home. Outdated foods and improper sanitation can be sources infections or illness. Potential for injury when weather events occur should also be reviewed.
Another consideration for patient safety is the delivery of health care in the home. Because of constant innovations, there are more opportunities for health care to be delivered at home. However, care in the home doesn’t come without risks. Adverse drug events may happen due to multiple medications in the home; some of which may be outdated. Other common sources of patient harm include health care associated infections, diagnostic errors, medication delivery errors, and falls. As health care providers, we always need to consider patient safety and constantly evaluate our methods for delivery of care. It is important for patients to have adequate education and be provided time for discussion about their care prior to receiving it. It is paramount, as health care providers, that we always work with patient safety as a guiding light in our work.
Steele County Public Health Home Care nurses continually care for their clients with safety in mind. During home visits, Home Care nurses are continually evaluating their clients’ safety in home and assessing safety needs. A comprehensive home care assessment and plan of care will consider safety needs of an individual. Steele County Public Health Home Care nurses will take these considerations into account when developing a plan of care with an individual and assist a client to develop strategies and interventions to mitigate safety risks. Home Care nurses will also work with a client’s doctor, therapist, pharmacy, and case manager or care coordinator to mitigate safety risks in the home and/or obtain necessary safety equipment. Steele County Public Health has quality control processes in place to frequently review and address protocols, policies, and procedures for how we provide Home Care services.
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