Bloodborne pathogen safety standards have long been in place to reduce the likelihood of exposure involving blood and bodily fluids, but many healthcare organizations continue to experience employee injuries. Knowledge of bloodborne pathogen exposure risks, exposure sources and safety standards are essential to help protect employees and reduce the likelihood of a claim.

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Risks

Caregivers

Within the home, the bathroom is one of the most high-risk areas for clients and caregivers. The proper bathroom safety features and procedures for client handling can significantly reduce the risk of an injury and claim. Consider providing guidance for caregivers to inform clients and client families about bathroom safety features and devices and ensure caregivers practice safe client handling.

Bathroom Safety Risk

The

The influenza virus remains a concern for home care workers, employers and their clients. By ensuring workers take flu season precautions, you can help employees and their clients stay healthy this winter. It’s the best way to prevent the spread of illness and avoid potential claims.

2019–2020 Flu Season

The CDC reports that seasonal flu activity is elevated so far this year, with an

The scope of home care services is key to minimizing risk and ensuring the safety of your employees and their clients. But clients and their families sometimes ask employees to perform tasks not covered in the program’s scope of services or that are beyond the competency of employees.

To ensure the integrity of care, employees need to communicate properly with clients and their

It’s important to have the right Hired and Non-Owned Automobile Liability Insurance for your business if employees will be traveling with or on behalf of clients. That’s because the coverage that applies in an accident will depend on who’s driving and whose vehicle is being used.

Lockton Affinity offers Hired and Non-owned Automobile Liability (HNOA) insurance to help you protect your business in

Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) blood borne pathogen standard1 has been in place for years, many healthcare organizations continue to experience significant employee injuries involving blood borne pathogen exposures.

This RiskTopic explores blood borne pathogen exposures to home healthcare workers. It also offers guidance to help prevent injuries from blood and bodily fluids for those working in this environment.

Home healthcare

This RiskTopic discusses why clients in the home healthcare environment may become aggressive and/or violent. It also offers considerations on how to respond to combative behavior and how to prevent related employee injuries.

Home care workers may be particularly vulnerable to client or family aggression because they generally work alone in the home environment. It is important the home health caregiver knows how

Do you do these things when transporting your clients?

• Client’s seatbelt is secured properly
• Your seatbelt is secured properly
• ­Shoulder belt is not placed behind the client’s back or under the arm
• ­Client is secured in back seat where appropriate
• ­Driving distractions have been eliminated (such as cell phones)
• ­Vehicle walk-around inspection completed
• ­Vehicle engine, steering, lights, etc. are working properly
• ­Vehicle
  

Prior to hiring a new employee, ensure the job description and job application are specific and reflect the actual position. This can help reduce confusion for applicants and ensure you get applicants with the right level of experience and education.

Job applications should include the following questions:

• Full name
• Addresses for past 10 years
• Educational background
• Detailed employment history
• Reasons for leaving current