POLICY AND PROCEDURE PAGE 1 OF 2

SUBJECT: SAFETY FOR EMPLOYEES

NO: HME-EC-S-4

EFFECTIVE DATE:

REVISION DATE:

POLICY:

To help provide a safe work environment for all employees by addressing any security concerns of staff and/or work site access as related to the care provided.

RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL:

All employees

PROCEDURE:

1. Employees are required to attend one inservice per year on home care safety.

2. During orientation and subsequently in the annual home care safety inservice, review the following issues:

• personal safety while making home visits
• general safety practices and self-defense measures
• obtaining an escort - police
• handling unsafe situations in the home
• communication of situations with immediate supervisors
• on call back-up systems
• making visits/deliveries in high crime areas
• contacting the physician if no visit can be made

3. Each office should review responses with their employees that addresses the safety issues identified in each question/situation listed above.

4. Each office employee should know how and when to access help in potentially unsafe situations.

GUIDELINES:

1. Try to work out alternative arrangements for patients, if possible. Unfortunately, this will be a challenge because in most areas where it is deemed to be so unsafe that we can't get to the patient, a cab will not service the area.

2. Contact the Police Department and request escort. Must be selective in request. In some situations, police escort may draw attention to you. Supervisors may help make determination.

3. Supervisor will see if patient can get to an alternative location for visit. Perhaps a relative in a safe neighborhood.

4. If a home care visit cannot be made, contact the physician and the patient. 911 should be called depending on need of the patient.

5. Contact patient prior to arrival by phone. If patient does not have a phone make arrangements for a neighbor with a phone to be your contact person.

6. During the day, become familiar with potential safe havens (i.e., gas station, convenience store, etc.) that would be open at night.

7. Supervisor may contact police to get an escort to area for visits after dark.

8. Do not hesitate to use 911 when appropriate arrangements cannot be made.

9. If you look at the area and don't feel safe, don't make the visit. Contact supervisor to alert.

10. Make visit only during the day when possible during early morning hours.

11. Make visit in pairs as needed.