Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. HOME SAFETY PROGRAM PATIENT’S HOME ENVIRONMENT PURPOSE: To specify the mechanisms used by agency staff to identify and intervene in environmental, mobility, bathroom, medication, and supply safety risks as well as equipment safety concerns related to patient care in the patient’s home environment. In compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations related to the health and safety of patients, our Agency and its staff will operate and furnish services in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to the health and safety of patients. Our HHA will maintain State issue license to operate. POLICY: · The agency uses basic home safety standards and guidelines for use of medical equipment and supplies. · All clinical staff is educated about established basic safety guidelines during orientation. · Patient/caregivers are given a copy of the home safety standards and instructed on strategies, as well as evacuation routes, are discussed with the patient/caregiver, as appropriate. · Any safety incidents are reported according to the Safety Officer and Manager of QI. PROCEDURE: All new employees are educated in the established basic safety guidelines during orientation. In addition, staff are oriented to the basic home safety standards and the safety guidelines for medical equipment and supplies. The employee assigned to complete the initial patient assessment is responsible for giving the patient/caregiver a copy of the Safety Teaching Guide with instructions on making the home safe and suitable for home health care. The nurse/therapist instructs the patient/caregivers in safety measures specific to their individual needs. Staff address fire prevention and safety concerns with the patient or caregiver, including but not limited to the following: · Fire hazards in the home, such as poor or faulty electrical wiring, fireplaces without adequate ventilation, etc. · Oxygen precautions and safety tips regarding storage, usage, etc. Oxygen Safety check will be completed at Start of Care, and every 60 days as part of the recertification procedures, if the patient need continue with services. · General medication safety guide. · Patients’ ability to call 911 in the event of a fire. · Hazards of smoking in bed. · Routes for evaluation from the home in the event of a fire or disaster. · Presence of working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers and determination of patient/caregiver ability to utilize fire-fighting equipment · Ways/places to obtain free working smoke detectors in community. Staff may assess and discuss with the patient the utility needs in the home environment (electricity, natural gas, heating and cooling, refrigeration, water supply), Contingency plans are discussed in the event a utility system fails when the patient is dependent on electricity for heating/cooling, to run pumps, or for oxygen/ventilation equipment. The nurse/therapist assesses pertinent safety factors and documents on the patient’s record any instructions given, as well as the date of giving the patient the Safety Teaching Guide. The patient’s/caregiver’s knowledge and performance of safety procedures is monitored on an ongoing Home Health Agency. - - Personnel/Operations Policies B-24