Title: Identify procedures for maintaining a safe home environment.
Course: Home Health Aide (14053) > Section: Understanding Safety

Identification should include

- ways to identify and report hazards, according to the guidelines from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, the National Safety Council, OSHA, and the CDC
- storage of hazardous chemicals, including instruction in Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- storage, monitoring, and disposal of medications
- awareness of factors that increase a client’s risk of injury (e.g., falls, burns, fractures, lacerations)
- improved lighting
- addition of handrails, bath handles, tub mats, and other safety devices.

Process/Skill Questions:

- How should one plan, implement, and evaluate general and client-specific home environment safety precautions and procedures?
- What might be the consequences of not following all safety precautions and procedures?
- What are OSHA’s bloodborne pathogen standards?
- What might be the consequences of not documenting all safety precautions and procedures?
- Which clients are more at risk for falls and injuries in the home?
- What disinfectants are safe to use in the home?