Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment is also called PPE. This will include special clothing, such as a scrub outfit and clogs, along with gloves, face masks, eyewear goggles and aprons.
Remember to always wash your hands before and after wearing gloves as gloves do not take the place of hand washing.
Senior caregivers should follow the senior’s care plan for the use of protective equipment.
Cleaning Products
For off-the-shelf cleaning products, always review their ingredients and usage and warning guidelines. If you are using any special products, find out what you need to do to keep yourself and your client safe while using the product.
SDS: Safety Data Sheets are User-Friendly, in a 16-Section format
A document that contains information on the potential hazards such as: physical properties, fire, reactivity, toxicity of a chemical product and how to work safely with the chemical product.
The government's Occupational Safety guidelines have you protected by requiring all chemical manufacturers to provide the details of their product for anyone to access in something called the Safety Data Sheets or SDS.
Off-the-shelf cleaning product precautions may be found by doing a GOOGLE Search with the product Name followed by "SDS"
The Hazard Communication Standard requires that all chemical manufacturers, distributors and importers provide Safety Data Sheets or SDS's (formerly called MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheets) for each hazardous chemical to downstream users to communicate information on the potential hazards.
The SDS includes:
Properties of Chemical
Physical, Health and Environmental Health Hazards
Protective Measures
Safety Precautions for Handling, Storing and Transporting the chemical
Watch Video on OSHA-Required Safety Data Sheets (SDS):
Infection
Be Safe - Be Able to Quickly Identify Infections: Infection is Spread in 3 Stages:
Stage 1
Germs live in a host. The host may be a person or other animal
Stage 2
The germs move out of the first host
Stage 3
The germs move into a new host
How Germs Spread
Germs use many routes to get from one host to another. Here are some ways that germs spread:
Through the air: coughs or sneezes
Through animal bites
Through insect bites
Through eating or drinking infected food or water
Through touching
Through body fluids
Fluids Enter the Host Through:
Blood
Fluid from a Cut
Fluid from a Penis or Vagina
Mucous
Pus
Saliva
Stools
Urine
Vomit
Germs get into the new host when infected body fluids:
Are on a needle or other sharp thing that goes into the skin of
the new hostGet into a cut or scratch
Touch mucous membranes, like those inside your mouth
Some people are more likely than others to get sick from germs. They are susceptible.
Susceptible people may be:
Already sick
Under stress
Very old
Very tired
Very young
Susceptible people may be people who:
Don't eat a healthy diet
Don't wash their hands well
Have a weak immune system. That means their body is not good at fighting off things from outside.
Signs an Infection has Started
If a cut is infected:
Fluid comes out of the cut
The cut hurts
The skin around the cut is red and puffy and feels warm
If a body part or body system is infected, a person may feel:
Pain in the infected area
Sick to their stomach, or throw up
Very hot or cold
Very tired
Personal Safety Precautions Include the Following:
Protect Your Face and Hands: Wash Your Hands, Wear Gloves
Protect Your Lungs (If Client has Contagious Infection): Wear a Face Mask or Respirator
Avoid Falls: Wear non-slip shoes or clogs
Avoid Back Injuries: Practice Safe Lifting Techniques
Report Sexual Harassment from a Client or Co-worker or Manager
Emotional Abuse: Ask for assistance if a senior exhibits aggressive behavior as sometimes seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other age-related illnesses will have a change in personality.
Chemical Hazards: Be aware of ingredients in cleaning products, detergents, and medications which you will come into contact with while performing caregiver duties. Remember that cleaning products contain chemicals and use with care.
Oxygen: Some seniors will be using oxygen to assist them with breathing. Oxygen tanks cannot be used near a lighted flame. Read the instructions in the care plan for the oxygen tank precautions and follow them. NEVER SMOKE near an oxygen tank.
Cooking: Use extra caution when cooking in a senior’s kitchen. Be sure to use timers when baking in the oven or cooking on the stove as it is easy to have the need to be interrupted when working as a senior caregiver. Know where the fire extinguisher is located.
Community Safety: Be aware of safety precautions in the senior’s neighborhood. Be sure to follow basic safety guidelines when arriving or leaving at nighttime. If you feel the senior lives in a neighborhood which has safety issues, discuss ways to plan around this with your Care Manager.
Pet Safety: Seniors may have a pet such as a dog or cat. Understand any special personality needs of the pet and be sure you feel comfortable working as a caregiver in a home with a pet. If you have any issues at all, discuss them with your Care Manager. If you experience an incident with a pet, such as a dog bite, immediately report it to your Care Manager and go to the Emergency Room for treatment.
Fire: Follow Emergency Procedures in Care Plan
CALL 911 for medical emergencies, fires, or other severe weather threats.
Call your Office if you ever have questions about how to handle a situation or may be unsure about a plan of action for emergencies.
Medical Equipment is labeled by the manufacturer as either reusable or single-use. All reusable medical equipment must be cleaned and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent patient-to-patient transmission of infectious agents.
Violence in the Workplace
As a home caregiver going into homes, you can face unpredictable and unprotected situations which could include verbal abuse.
Verbal abuse from the client, family members, or people in the community is a form of workplace violence. Verbal abuse may be subtle, such as asking for help beyond the scope of the job, or it may be obvious, such as complaining about job performance or worker appearance—or even threatening to cause harm.
Violence is a major disruption to providing quality care and disrupts the therapeutic and calming setting.
Violence Against Healthcare Workers is NEVER Acceptable
Workplace Violence Defined by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health:
"....any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting."
YOUR RIGHTS
You have a right to a safe place of employment free from hazards that are known or likely to cause death or serious physical harm
You have a right to know about any potential security hazards and how to respond and protect yourself should a situation arise
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
You are responsible for knowing your workplace policy for handling a difficult individual.
If you are in a situation where you feel threatened by a client, co-worker, family member or stranger, follow these steps:
Quickly and calmly end the interaction without making the situation worse
Get Help
File an Incident Report
Watch Video from Oregon Public Health on Staying Safe and Alert when Going into a Client’s Home:
Dress for Safety
Do not wear anything that can be used as a weapon or grabbed by someone
Long Hair should be tucked away so that it can't be grabbed
Jewelry: Avoid earrings or necklaces which can be pulled or attract attention
Overly Tight Clothing can restrict movement and slow you down
Scarves and Overly Loose Clothing can be caught on things
Glasses, Keys, or Name-tags dangling from cords or chains can be hazardous
Always be sure to use breakaway safety cords or lanyards.
Violence in the Workplace
Be Attuned to Behaviors
Most violent behavior is preceded by warning signs. The following cues (signs) are indicators of possible violence.
Cues
Speaking loudly or yelling
Swearing
Threatening tone of voice
Non-verbal or Behavioral Cues
Physical appearance (clothing and hygiene neglected)
Arms held tight across chest
Clenched fists
Heavy breathing
Pacing or agitation
A terrified look signifying fear and high anxiety
A fixed stare
Aggressive or threatening posture
Throwing objects
Sudden changes in behavior
Indications of drunkenness or substance abuse
More cues exhibited indicates a greater risk of violence.
Be Aware of Your Body's Responses
Part of violence prevention is to be aware of your own feelings, responses, and sensitivities. Pay attention to your instincts. For example, your "fight or flight" response can be an early warning sign of impending danger, to get help or get out.
Intuition—that gut feeling—it’s usually right—LISTEN TO IT!
Effective communication skills are an important tool in violence prevention. Self-awareness includes acknowledging if you have a personal history of abuse which might affect how you respond to situations that may spark flash-backs to your own past experiences.
Avoid Fatigue, Practice Self-Care: Be sure you are getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and making time for exercise and relaxation.
TIP: HAVE A CODE
Call your office and use the code word to let them know you're in trouble, if you can't call the police.
Personal safety and the safety of others is paramount. ALWAYS TELL YOUR MANAGER IF YOU FEEL UNSAFE!
Observing an out-of-control person is frightening and may trigger your own "fight or flight" response. Emotional containment is important so that proper procedures and protocols are remembered and followed.
Always Be Alert
Maintain behavior that helps to diffuse anger:
Act with a calm, caring attitude
Do not match threats
Do not give orders
Watch Video on De-escalation Techniques:
Avoiding Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips, trips and falls are the 3rd leading cause of accidental death, behind poisoning, which includes drug overdoses and motor vehicle accidents. Don't take a fall while you are working. Learn how to protect yourself and your future ability to enjoy life and enjoy your caregiving job by being in good health.
Typical Injury Areas:
Knee
Ankle
Foot
Back
Shoulder
Hip
Head
Slip
Too little friction or traction between feet or footware and walking surface, resulting in loss of balance
Trip
Foot or lower leg hits object and upper body continues moving, resulting in loss of balance
Stepping down to lower surface and losing balance
Fall—happens when too far off center of balance
Fall on the same level, fall into or against objects (fall against a stack of books that are on the floor)
Fall to lower level, fall to below walking or working surface (fall from one step to the one below)
Falling Properly- Is there Such a Thing? Yes!
MOST IMPORTANT - PROTECT YOUR HEAD
Best case scenario, pivot to your side and tuck in your head
You never want to fall flat on your back, banging your head on the ground or landing on your stomach, extending the head and neck back. The first can result in a concussion and the second whiplash.
You also don’t want to fall on outstretched hands which could damage your wrists or on your knee and damage the kneecap.
You should bend your elbows and knees and try to take the hit on the fleshiest parts of your body, like the side of your thigh, buttocks and shoulder.
Aim for the meat, not bone. Your instinct will be to reach out with hands or try to catch yourself with your knee or foot, but they are hard and not forgiving when you go down.
The key is to not fight the fall, but to just roll with it.
Stay Strong and Healthy with Regular Exercise Routine
Find a healthy exercise routine that you enjoy and can do at least 3 times per week, to stay physically fit as a caregiver.
Remember - All the Precautions were Created to Protect You and Keep You Healthy and Smiling!
💡 Tip Sheet
Call 911 for Medical Emergencies, Personal Protective Equipment is also called PPE, Infections can be Avoided by Washing Hands and Wearing Gloves, Oxygen cannot be Near a Flame, Household Cleaning Products can be Chemical Hazards