Keeping Community Health Care Workers Safe

• Published in: Home Health Care Management & Practice
• Main Authors: Hutchings, Darlene, Lundrigan, Elaine, Mathews, Maria, Lynch, Anne, Goosney, Joanne
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2010
• Subjects: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; Community and Home Care; Leadership and Management; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1084822309360383; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1084822309360383

Organizations have a responsibility to ensure the safety of staff who provide care in the community. In a survey conducted within a regional health authority in Newfoundland, health care providers reported feeling unsafe while conducting home visits. Safety initiatives were explored, and a safety program was implemented within this region to address safety concerns. The safety program includes three key components: a risk assessment screening tool, a sign-in/sign-out system, and a buddy system. This article describes the evaluation process and outcomes of these three components. The evaluation process and outcomes may be useful to other health care organizations interested in promoting workplace safety.