Safety Concerns Associated with Home Care Nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Occupational Safety
• Public Health

Background:

• Home care nurses face distinct safety challenges compared to those in acute care settings.
• These challenges include environmental hazards, potential violence, and physical strain.
• The home care industry is expanding, necessitating attention to workforce safety and retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the specific personal safety and environmental concerns encountered by home care nurses.
• To identify the prevalence of perceived unsafety during home visits.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study design was employed.
• Seventy-five home care and home hospice nurses participated.
• Data were collected via an anonymous online survey (Qualtrics).

Main Results:

• 78% of nurses reported feeling unsafe during home visits.
• Identified threats included unsafe neighborhoods, aggressive animals, hostile family members, and firearms.
• Environmental concerns like secondhand smoke and bedbugs, alongside work-related musculoskeletal injuries, were also reported.

Conclusions:

• Home care nursing presents significant safety risks requiring targeted interventions.
• Mandatory, role-specific safety training upon hire and annually is recommended.
• Nurses should utilize preparation, awareness, alertness, and prevention strategies to mitigate risks.