The Aide's Role in Safety in the Home - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The Aide's Role in Safety in the Home

Cindy Morgan, RN, MSN, CHC, CHPN Association for Home & Hospice Care of

North CarolinaSlide2

Objectives

What does safety mean?

List safety hazards/concerns encountered in the home

Strategies to address safety hazards/concernsSlide3

What is Safety?

To

be

able to have

control of recognized hazards to achieve an acceptable level of risk.

Patient safety

-preventing injury/harm to the patient

H

ome

safety

– protecting the resident from external harm

I

nternal installations

- are the conditions inside the home safe-

ie

, appliances, throw rugs, stairs, fire alarms

Staff safety-

preventing injury/harm to oneself during the delivery of patient careSlide4

Where do Our

P

atients

R

eside?

House

Apartment

Condo

Assisted Living

Skilled nursing facility

Hotel

Nursing homesSlide5
Slide6

Falls

Most

falls occur at home (60.2

%)

Falls are a leading cause of death and the most frequent cause of emergency department (ED) visits for injury among people aged 65 years and olderSlide7

Facts about Falls

One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.

Each year, 2.5 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries

More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling,

usually by falling sideways.

Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Direct medical costs for fall injuries are $34 billion annuallySlide8

Safety Hazards in the Home

Falls

STAIRS

Stable Handrails

Lighting

Gates or doors for children and elder adults if applicable to the situationSlide9

Safety

Hazards in the

Home

Falls

Bathroom

Slippery/wet floors- secure rugs to keep water from pooling

Safety rails in shower & bathtub

Safety mats or non-skid surface in shower

Grab bars for commodeSlide10

Safety

Hazards

in the

Home

Falls

Other Parts of Home

Steps when ramp needed

Unstable outdoor steps

Clutter in passage ways

Throw rugs

Unsecured cords across floors

PetsSlide11

Patient

A

ctivity to Prevent Falls

Begin

an exercise program to improve your leg strength & balance

Talk to nurse about medicines

Get

annual eye check-ups

Maintain clear pathways in house for walking

Remove throw rugs/secure to floor with no-slip backs or secured to floor

Lighted areas for getting up at night

Bedside commodes if needed for safety at nightSlide12

Take Away

Falls

Falling once doubles the patient’s chances of falling again

Every 20 minutes an older adult dies from a fall in the United States

This is a very real problem for our older adults

Talking about falls & educating them may save a patient from a fall, and possible injury.Slide13

Fire:

Statistics to share

Older adults face the greatest relative risk of dying in a fire. In 2013, older adults:

Represented 14 percent of the United States population but suffered 36 percent of all fire deaths.

Had a 2.5 times greater risk of dying in a fire than the total population.

Ages 85 and over were 3.6 times more likely to die in a fire than the total population.Slide14

Safety Hazards in the

Home

Fire

Clutter

Incorrect wattage of light bulbs

Lack of attention to something

cooking in the kitchen

Extension cords

Frayed cords/chewed cords

Outlet overload

Covered by a rug, or carpet: can heat up over timeSlide15

Safety

Hazards

in the

Home

Fire

Put something flammable near something

hot

Unattended candles left burning

Inappropriate use of fireplace or wood heater

Cigarettes left burning

Unattended

Fall asleepSlide16

Oxygen Use in the Home

We all know we have to have Oxygen to live. People with healthy lungs can breathe in enough Oxygen for their bodies to function properly. When lungs functions become impaired then supplemental Oxygen may become necessary.

Oxygen

is a safe, nonflammable gas,

but it does support

combustion, meaning materials burn more readily in its

presence.Slide17
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Oxygen Use in the Home

7% of all victims who died in fires caused by

smoking

were using medical oxygen

.

The National Ethics Committee reported that when a fire occurs and home oxygen is involved, it is usually caused by smoking

.89% of deaths related to fire and home oxygen use are caused by smoking according to the CDCSlide19

Oxygen Safety Tips

Oxygen canisters should be kept at least 5-10 feet away from gas stoves, lighted fireplaces, woodstoves, candles or other sources of open flames.

Do not use electric razors while using oxygen. (These are a possible source of sparks)

Do not use oil, grease or petroleum-based products on the equipment. Do not use it near you while you use oxygen. These materials are highly flammable and will burn readily with the presence of oxygen

Avoid petroleum-based lotions or creams, like Vaseline, on your face or upper chest

Post signs in every room where oxygen is in use. Make sure that absolutely

NO SMOKING

occurs in the home or in the car when oxygen is in useSlide20

Oxygen Safety –cont

.

Secure an oxygen cylinder to a solidly fixed object to avoid creating a missile out of the tank

Use caution with oxygen tubing so you do not trip over it

Be familiar with the equipment and the safety checks established by the medical equipment provider.

Do not try to repair broken equipment on your own.

Make sure smoke detectors in the home are working.

Have a fire extinguisher available in the home as well.

Create and practice an escape and rescue plan in the event of a fire.

Notify the local fire department, gas and electric companies and telephone company when home oxygen therapy is started. Request a "priority service listing." -COPD Foundation Slide21

ALERT

SMOKING WHILE USING OXYGEN IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS Slide22

Safety

Hazards

in the

Home

Burns

May be caused from:

Fireplace

Oxygen & smoking

Ovens.

Hot pots on the

stove

Coffee cups

Hot

tap

water

Steam

from microwaved foodsSlide23

Safety for the Aide in the Home Setting

Common injuries of healthcare workers in the home setting are strains, sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries that are related to moving or lifting patients.

Why?

The home setting is unique to the patient

Lack of equipment- adjustable beds and lifting equipment

Most Aides work solo in the home settingSlide24

CDC Cautions

Recipe for Injury

Moving patients without help

Cramped quarters

Without assistive equipment

Prevention: Using equipment & methods to decrease strain & increase safety when lifting and moving patientsSlide25

Ergonomic Assistive Devices

Hoist– Equipment to lift a patient when they do not have the strength to stand and walk on their own.

Rolling toileting & shower chair

Grab Bars

Adjustable beds

Elevated toilet seats

Slip sheets

Gait belts- assist with steadying gaitSlide26

When Ergonomic Equipment Not Available

Stand as close to the patient as possible to avoid reaching, bending & twisting. To avoid rotating the spine, make sure one foot is in the direction of the move

Keep your knees bent and feet apart

Use gentle rocking motions to assist a patient as they are trying to make lateral movements in the bedSlide27

When Ergonomic Equipment Not Available

When pulling a patient up from an adjustable bed, lower the head of bed until flat or down. Raise the patient’s knees & have them

push.

Don’t stand in one place. Move around the bed to get in best possible position using a safe posture instead of bending, stretching & reaching.

KNOW WHEN TO ASK FOR HELP!!!Slide28

Activity

You arrive at the home of a new patient today. She is a stroke patient with who has lost all ability to do their bath. She weighs 260 pounds and cannot help at all with bath. She is in a small room and a regular full size bed.

What is the best approach to care for her and protect yourself? Slide29

Important Reminder!!!Slide30

Brochures that may be shared with Patients

Falls

Stay Independent Brochure

:

http://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/stay_independent_brochure-a.pdf

Has a self assessment for fall riskWhat You can Do to Prevent Falls:

http://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/what_you_can_do_brochure-a.pdf

These brochures are available in English and Spanish

Oxygen Tips

Medical Oxygen Safety:

www.nfpa.org/education

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The Aide’s Role

Assess the Home Environment for hazards that could cause injury to the patient

Inform your supervisor of the hazard

If appropriate, educate the patient and family about the safety hazard you have noted

Be a role model –safety comes first!Slide32

The Aide’s Role

Sharing information helps patients and families make informed decisions. It is important to remember we may not agree with their

decision.

It is important to document the information shared.Slide33

Resources

Causes of Serious Burns. Retrieve from:

http

://

www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/03/29/the-top-10-causes-of-serious-burns-to-people-and-pets-in-the-home.htm

Fire

safety outreach materials for older adults. Retrieved from https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/older_adults.html

Important Facts about Falls. Retrieved from

http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html

Oxygen Therapy Safety Tips: Preventing Fires. Retrieved from

http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/safety-tips-for-using-oxygen

.

Strains, Sprains & Pains in Home Healthcare : Working in an Uncontrolled Environment. Retrieved from

http

://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2010/04/16/homehealthcare

/