HLTRAH302C Student Resource Booklet V3 Jan 2015
-
Upload
rinkoo1000 -
Category
Documents
-
view
17 -
download
1
description
Transcript of HLTRAH302C Student Resource Booklet V3 Jan 2015
HLT41812 Certificate IV in Pathology
HLTRAH302C Undertake Home Visits
HLTRAH302C Student Resource V3 Jan 2015 2 of 10
Topic 1. Prepare for home visit
Performance criteria - by the end of this topic you will be able to:
Check that client is expecting and prepared for a home visit at the agreed time
Clarify purpose of home visit and history of client in relation to unexpected issues and needs
Prepare equipment, resources and/or documents required address purpose of home visit and contingencies
Allow time in schedule for contingencies
Check that entry to the home is ensured
Ensure co-worker(s) are aware of intended time and place of home visit and mobile contact details
Home visits
Health care is delivered in a variety of settings including the patient’s home. There are huge demands placed on our healthcare systems, particularly financial demands which have meant patients are discharged from hospital as soon as possible. Patients are now seen by Nurses in the home and home care for daily living activities eg. showering. Pathology is no different; the demand for blood testing to be performed in the home is increasing. The home also extends to nursing homes and hostels. Home visiting in all forms of heath care is the fastest growing aspect of community health. Health care workers must be able to make preparations for the visit, work safely in unpredictable environments and work within the limitations of training.
Occupational Health and Safety
Working in the community, such as visiting people in their homes and dealing with driving hazards can be a difficult responsibility to understand and manage for the employer of a health care worker. Employers have a duty of care to their employees and the client. Under the OH&S& welfare act 1986 employers are responsible for providing:
A safe working environment
Plant and substances in a safe condition ( safe electrical equipment )
Adequate facilities
Adequate OH&S information, instruction and training
Monitor working conditions safety assessments)
Identify hazards, conduct risk assessments and control the risks
Adequate human and financial resources to implement OHS&W strategies
safe and timely return to work programs for injured workers
obtain police security check of all employees
HLTRAH302C Student Resource V3 Jan 2015 3 of 10
Community Services OHS Information Pack
http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/9528/Working_Safely_in_Community_Services.pdf
National OHS Strategy 2002-2012Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy
2012-2022 states the employer must provide a safe work place for employees. This is very difficult to do in the home visit situation as the organisation have little or no control over the environment in which their employees are walking in to. http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/
It is therefore your responsibility and you have a duty of care that you must do the following:
Take reasonable care to protect own safety and care
not affect the health and safety of others
use all equipment that is provided for your health and safety
Follow procedure regarding hazards, injuries and accidents
not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol Client’s homes will be your workplace and they must also provide as much as possible a clean and safe working area. You may ask them to:
secure any pets
provide a clean work space
treat you with respect and be courtesy ( non-threatening or abusive)
not smoke while you are there
Provide safe and appropriate equipment eg. table, towel It is your responsibility to report any concerns following organisational procedure. Take responsibility for your own safety as no-one is else is there to do it for you.
Infection control
If you enter a home where it is very unclean try and find a place to set up your equipment as best you can ask the patient to provide a table or a clean towel to perform your collection. This is not always easy to do and you must try and say it in a professional way that
will not offend patient about the state of their home. Follow organisational procedures regarding infection control, protect yourself. Wear gloves wash hands or use hand sanitiser before and after collection dispose of waste and sharps in correct containers. You may be required to wear a gown if patient is infectious.
HLTRAH302C Student Resource V3 Jan 2015 4 of 10
Equipment
You will have a case with all the appropriate collection equipment supplied by your organisation. This should be checked prior to going out for your visits. The equipment you will need for home visiting may be as follows:
Home visit case
Sharps disposal unit
Biohazard bags
barcode numbers
all collection tubes
vacutainer barrels
variety of gauge needles
variety of syringe sizes
rubbish bin
relevant paperwork
cotton balls
alcohol swabs
Pens, pencils etc.
map of area
day sheet
pager
esky ( to store specimens) with ice
ECG machine
Mobile phone or a phone may be installed in your company car.
spill kits should be in each car (blood spill kit or formalin spill kit] Your home visit equipment should be kept clean and all equipment in date. Also you will need to store stock in a secure area of the car as a backup if you need more equipment. All stock stored in vehicle must be regularly checked to ensure condition and that it is in date. In this stock you may carry other less used items such as swabs fungal collection equipment, specimen containers, blood gas syringes. You may look at home visit equipment as a mobile collection centre therefore you must have all required equipment.
Clarify purpose of home visit
read maps
priorities visits
prepare equipment, resources and documentation required
Nursing home and hospital patient
deal with challenging behaviour
cultural diversity in the home
Language barriers and how to deal with them. The home visits may be booked by a central office or designated branches, and a day sheet should be provided for you with all patient details, tests and any special instructions e.g. fasting.
HLTRAH302C Student Resource V3 Jan 2015 5 of 10
Paperwork for the patient may be located in the branch you start from for that area. Rule 3 patients will have a patient card with all details and the referral. Other patients may have the referral with them at home. Checking your visits against your map is important so patients are not missed. All company vehicles should have an up to date Melways. There should also be a Melways located in the collection centre. It is important to priorities your patient visits, such as fasting or urgent visits should be carried out first. Organisation is very important when performing home visits as it can be unpredictable how long each visit will take.
HLTRAH302C Student Resource V3 Jan 2015 6 of 10
Topic 2. Undertake home visit
Performance criteria - by the end of this topic you will be able to: Obtain entry to the home, check for hazards to own and others' health and safety
and take action to control risk
Take standard precautions to control infection and, where required, take additional precautions
Demonstrate respect for the home and contents and sensitivity as a guest in the environment
Follow appropriate risk management practices when delivering services in an unfamiliar and potentially unsafe environment
Security and Safety
Safety is for you and the patient as is security. Tips for safety:
ensure car is locked when unattended
Obtain entry while being careful of any hazards (Pets, unsafe building)
Should you find yourself in a threatening situation distance yourself from the threat as quickly as possible? phone 000, If possible leave the home as quickly as possible,
Once in a safe place contact co-ordinator and advise them of the situation.
If feeling threatened before entering a home. DON’T GO IN.
Report any threats via organisational policy.
Ensure someone has a copy of your day’s visits. You may face challenging behaviour from patients at times and home visit staff are more commonly faced with this than colleagues working in a collection centre. Challenging behaviour may come in the form of physical, emotional or psychological. All organisations should provide training on safety and have policies in place to assist staff to document these correctly.
Equipment and cars Company cars
Most organisations will provide a vehicle for you to carry out home visits and most will have automatic transmissions. The car will usually have the company logo on it so it is easily identified as part of the organisation. If required to use you own vehicle ensure you document the km’s undertaking to be reimbursed in your pay. In most cases there is no smoking, drinking or eating in the company car. Only other members of the organization should travel as a passenger in the car unless arrangements have been made.
Vehicle records
You may be asked to keep log book or day sheet providing records of you start and finish odometer reading, with drivers name and date on it and any vehicle issues.
HLTRAH302C Student Resource V3 Jan 2015 7 of 10
Offences and fines
Most organisations will not pay for fines you receive while driving company car.
Accidents
Report any accidents to your supervisor immediately, they will provide assistance and information to you. A replacement car should be provided to you. As in any other accident full details must be exchanged if unsure of company insurer or other details contact your supervisor.
Petrol and maintenance
Petrol will usually come from a fuel card at a specified petrol company. It is the responsibility of the collector driving to ensure the car has at least ½ tank of fuel at all times. The driver is expected to keep the car clean on the interior and the exterior on a regular basis. You may have a designated car wash or you may need petty cash for washing and vacuuming car.
Security
Car must be locked at all times when unattended and parked in a safe manner.
HLTRAH302C Student Resource V3 Jan 2015 8 of 10
Topic 3. Establish client relationship in the home
Performance criteria - by the end of this topic you will be able to:
Communicate with client or resident to clarify purpose of visit and confirm client acceptance
Provide opportunity for client to identify and express any issues or concerns in relation to the home visit and/or associated matters
Provide appropriate support and information within scope of own work role and record and report relevant health issues or concerns promptly to appropriate person
Deal with behaviours of concern promptly, firmly and diplomatically in accordance with relevant policies and procedures
Remember you are a guest in the patient’s home and should ask permission before you do or touch anything. At any time the patient has the right to refuse to have the blood test or to even let you into their residence. You may be required to move things to make room for you equipment and to find a clear space, ensure you ask permission before moving anything. Always put things back to where they were. The patient’s first impression is very important and the attitude of the collector may impact on future visits. It is important to establish a relationship with the patient, carers and nursing staff. Promote good communication by:
Introducing yourself, the company you represent and state why you are there.
Explain to patient what is required.
Establish yourself in an appropriate space; if patient takes you to unsuitable place suggest somewhere that looks safer.
Give the patient the opportunity to ask questions and give clear explanations.
Check patient details according to organisation procedure.
Homes
Once entering a home there are factors to take into consideration eg. Does the patient speak English? You also may be the only person they see for the day and may just want to talk nonstop. Be polite but get all the information you require and try to do you work while they chat remembering you may have a lot of other patients to attend to so your time is important. If you feel threatened or in any way concerned for you safety leave the premises as calmly and promptly as possible, notify your supervisor as soon as possible. Your safety is very important. Cultural Diversity in homes will be evident in many situations and you need to be respectful of this and accept the situation, unless it puts you at risk or does not meet OH&S requirements. If the patient does not speak English try to communicate verbally and non-verbally this may help with explaining what you require from the patient. If there is an English speaking relative available ask them to translate for you. In some cases you may need the services of an interpreter service. Be patient when trying to communicate, fast actions and words will most likely confuse the patient more.
HLTRAH302C Student Resource V3 Jan 2015 9 of 10
Nursing Homes
When entering a facility introduce yourself to staff, the referral will most likely be at the nurses’ station, ensure all details are on the referral. If not it is the staff responsibility to obtain those details for you. Ask the staff to show you the correct patient and identify them. When visiting a nursing home often the patient cannot identify themselves and may have memory or behavioural issues. Ensure for your safety and that of the patient that a staff member accompanies you to the patient and assist you during the collection e.g. staff may need to hold patient arm for you. Although the patient is in a nursing home they still have the right to refuse. You may encourage them but do not force them as it can put you in a potentially dangerous situation. Even if a patient cannot communicate with you explain what you are doing and don’t assume the patient is aware of what is about to take place
Hospital visits
When visiting a hospital identify the patient as per organisation procedure. All hospital visits should be marked with urgent as results may determine treatment. Check all id bands to check details of patient. DO NOT attempt venepuncture on limb where an intravenous line in situated.
HLTRAH302C Student Resource V3 Jan 2015 10 of 10
Topic 4. Follow up home visit
Performance criteria - by the end of this topic you will be able to: Document all aspects of the home visit in line with organisation policies and
procedures
Promptly report and refer any areas of concern to an appropriate authority
Ensure any arrangements for follow up visits are recorded and implemented
Specimen transportation
All specimens must be carried in back of vehicle. Usually in an esky with an ice brick. Specimens should be transported to a collection centre and processed on a regular basis no longer than 4 hours. All urgent specimens should be processed in that manner.
Useful websites
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/ http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/9528/Working_Safely_in_Community_Services.pdf