1. How to Keep Clients Safe at Home
Considerations for the Home Health Nurse
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Safety In the Home

2. Introduction
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By 2016 Home Health Nursing will be growing faster than
any other nursing field
Population is Ageing and care is shifting from hospitals to
homes
Many current RNs have not been exposed to nursing in the
home setting

3. Considerations at Home
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Patients at home may receive care from untrained caregivers
or family
Patients and families administer medications
Limited resources
Unique environment

4. Areas of Safety Concern at Home
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Medication Management
Polypharmacy
Adverse Drug Reactions and Overdoses
Medication administration errors
How can medication administration be made safer in the
home?

5. Safety Concern: Falls
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Environmental Hazards
Impaired gait and balance
Age related sensory changes
Fall prevention strategies at home

6. Safety Concerns:
Pressure Ulcers
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Pressure reduction and skin care
Nutrition management
Proper staging and treatment
Family education

7. Functional Outcomes
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Quality of Life
Preserving function and preventing hospital readmissions
Interdisciplinary teams and referrals

8. Work Environment of the Nurse
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Reducing stress at work
Personal Safety at home
Discussion: What are strategies to enhance personal safety
and prevent injury to the nurse while in clients homes?

9. Ethical Concerns in Home Care
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Potential for Abuse
Lack of Supervision
Patient Autonomy and Privacy
Meaning of the home
Confidentiality
Vulnerable Populations
Activity: break into small groups and prepare a case study
surrounding a possible ethical dilemma in the home. Discuss
ethical principles and propose different solutions to the
dilemma. Prepare to share your scenario with the class.

10. Home Safety Assessment
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Complete the online interactive home safety assessment. Please
follow the link below to view home safety:
http://www.redsevendev.com/ear/hsa/homesafety.html
Using a standardized assessment tool, conduct a home assessment
for safety in the home of a friend, relative or neighbor
Develop a plan to increase safety in that person’s home after
completing your safety assessment

11. References
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Miller School of Medicine. (2006). Home safety
assessment learning object [Interactive
learning tool download]. Available from
https://www.mededportal.org/publication/378