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CHHS17/004

Canberra Hospital and Health ServicesOperational ProcedureHome Visiting Contents

Contents....................................................................................................................................1

Purpose.....................................................................................................................................3

Alerts.........................................................................................................................................3

Scope........................................................................................................................................ 4

Section 1 – Risk Management...................................................................................................4

Emergency home visits.........................................................................................................5

Communicating home visit risk change.................................................................................5

Decision to withhold all health services................................................................................5

Section 2 – Prior to Home Visit.................................................................................................5

Consumer rights and principles related to home visits.........................................................5

Prior training required..........................................................................................................6

Preparation...........................................................................................................................6

For routine home visits.........................................................................................................7

Non Response to a Scheduled Visit form..............................................................................7

Getting ready to leave...........................................................................................................8

Vehicle Use............................................................................................................................8

Section 3 – Safety during Home Visits.......................................................................................8

Infection control....................................................................................................................9

Manual Handling...................................................................................................................9

Maintaining contact with nominated contact person...........................................................9

Medical emergency during home visits.................................................................................9

Personal threat................................................................................................................... 10

Section 4 – Non Response to a Routine Home Visit................................................................10

When there are concerns for the person’s safety...............................................................10

Non Response to a Scheduled Visit form............................................................................11

When there are no concerns for the person’s safety..........................................................11

Section 5 – ACT Health staff not returning when expected....................................................11

Section 6 – Post Home Visit....................................................................................................12

Doc Number Version Issued Review Date Area Responsible PageCHHS17/004 1 10/01/2017 01/12/2019 CSQU 1 of 16

Do not refer to a paper based copy of this policy document. The most current version can be found on the ACT Health Policy Register

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Post Incident Management.................................................................................................12

Implementation...................................................................................................................... 13

Related Policies, Procedures, Guidelines and Legislation.......................................................13

References.............................................................................................................................. 14

Definition of Terms................................................................................................................. 14

Search Terms.......................................................................................................................... 15

Attachment............................................................................................................................. 15

Attachment 1 – Safety Precautions.....................................................................................16



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Purpose

To provide a procedural framework for ACT Health staff to safely provide health services during home visits. This procedure will ensure risks and hazards associated with working in people’s homes are identified, assessed, eliminated or effectively minimised and that best practices of care and treatment are maintained. This procedure complies with legislative requirements under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, whilst also recognising the rights of people whose homes are being visited.

A home visit occurs when an ACT Health staff member provides any health service (clinical or non-clinical) to a person at that person’s home or in other residential setting (e.g. residential aged care facility).

ACT Health staff who visit consumers in other settings e.g. work, school are also encouraged to utilise this procedural framework in accordance with work area requirements.

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Scope

Alerts

A risk assessment must be completed and acted upon by staff prior to any home visit. This should include the completion of a Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form (accessible from the Clinical Forms register) in accordance with work area requirements. For example, some work areas may elect for the Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form to be completed prior to each and every home visit conducted by their staff. Other work areas may decide that due to operational requirements, the Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form will need to be completed three monthly or at another specified interval with review as necessary. It is not mandatory for a Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form to be completed for an emergency home visit.

Each work area that conducts home visits must have an identified and recorded code word or sentence which when used will indicate to the listener (the person answering the phone in the ACT Health work area) that the ACT Health staff member conducting a home visit is under duress or threat and requires urgent assistance. This code word/sentence must be communicated to all team members and all new team members (including students where applicable) must be advised prior to conducting any home visits. This code word should be confirmed with the staff member’s nominated contact person (see definition of nominated contact person) before conducting a home visit.

All home visits should be documented in the person’s clinical record, where applicable, in accordance with the Clinical Record Documentation Standard Operating Procedure accessible from the Policy Register (where appropriate).

To ensure the ongoing safety of staff it is essential that any incident or near miss relating to a home visit be documented in Riskman and in any file notes.

Where applicable, all ACT Health staff must enter home visit patient alerts in the Clinical Portal which is accessible from the healthHUB.



This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) describes for staff the process to

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Scope

This procedure applies to all ACT Health staff, including students under supervision, that provide a health service in a person’s home or other residential setting.


Section 1 – Risk Management

It is essential that ACT Health staff make reasonable attempts to identify potential risks before conducting a home visit so as to mitigate or eliminate these risks.

To assist with this risk management assessment ACT Health staff should complete a Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form (accessible from the Clinical Forms Register) in accordance with their work area requirements. If the information needed to complete the form is not readily available by phoning and speaking with the person, every effort must be made to contact family members/carers and utilise other relevant sources to obtain the required information. It is not mandatory for a Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form to be completed for an emergency home visit.

When completing the Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form, ACT Health staff must make every effort to identify any potential safety risks which may be recorded in the person’s clinical record and as a patient alert. Prior to any contact with the patient, all ACT Health staff must use the Clinical Portal to review home visit patient alerts. MHJHADS staff should also review any previous home visit patient alerts in MHAGIC. If, after contacting the patient, any additional risks are identified, these should be updated in the Clinical Portal (and MAJICeR if applicable). Upon completion, this form will be filed in the person’s clinical record.

If safety risks have been identified during the risk assessment, and after being raised with the Line Manager cannot be managed to an acceptable level, the Line Manager may need to consider any of the following, or any other approaches as considered necessary: Joint attendance with Police where there is a high risk of aggression. The Police

Assistance Line (131 444) should be contacted to facilitate this occurring Two ACT Health staff attending a home visit due to:

o the person not being known to the work area providing the health serviceo the nature of the health service being provided e.g. acute mental health assessment o the visit occurring after darko the visit occurring in a potentially isolated location (see definition of isolated

location) Alternative arrangement to be made e.g. home visit not to be conducted and person to

attend ACT Health site.

Emergency home visitsWherever possible, completion of the Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form prior to an emergency home visit, for example, due to a radiation emergency or a person’s acute



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mental health deterioration, is encouraged. If the Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form cannot be completed, adequate risk management controls will need to be discussed with the Line Manager and documented in the patient’s clinical record prior to the home visit. For example, to manage staff safety, the work area may require two staff to attend all emergency home visits. For more information on the risk management process please refer to the Risk Management Guidelines accessible from the Policy Register.

Communicating home visit risk change The risk associated with conducting a home visit may vary overtime. At a minimum, upon completion of a home visit, ACT Health staff must enter home visit patient alerts in the Clinical Portal and in the person’s clinical record (where applicable). Section 6 of this procedure provides further details in relation to Post Incident Management.

In addition to the above, home visit patient alerts and other details may also be recorded in work area software or other documentation in accordance with work area requirements.

Decision to withhold all health servicesThe final decision to completely withhold all health services (including home visits) from a consumer will be made by the Director-General, Canberra Hospital and Health Services upon advice from a relevant Executive Director of an operational work area. This decision, including the process for communicating this decision to the consumer, will be made in accordance with the Violence and Aggression by Patients Consumers or Visitors Prevention and Management Policy and associated procedure accessible from the Policy Register.


Section 2 – Prior to Home Visit

Consumer rights and principles related to home visitsACT Health staff must be mindful of the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights (accessible from the healthHUB) and the ACT Charter of Rights For People Who Experience Mental Health Issues (accessible from ACT Health Mental Health website) when providing a health service in a person’s home.



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It is also important that ACT Health staff be mindful of the below principles of engaging with people during home visits: recognise that you are a visitor and that you have entered the privacy of their home respect that the person is the expert about their situation recognise how your position may be perceived acknowledge that you hold a certain level of power/authority clarify your role and introduce yourself importance of confidentiality importance of establishing rapport and trust before the real work can begin start where the individual or family are at emotionally develop respectful relationships and having respect for the individual’s situation set mutually agreed goals help in practical ways recognise that there may be differences in goals and values between the consumer and

ACT Health staff (Medicare Local North Coast NSW Safe Home Visiting Policy December 2013)

In addition to the above, if ACT Health staff are aware that the person whose home they will be visiting might be from a culturally and linguistically diverse background or identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, it is important for staff to recognise that these people may have a range of unique needs. All reasonable attempts should be made to consider and address any potential issues such as language barriers and cultural/religious beliefs while preparing for the home visit. For further information, please contact the ACT Health LGBTI contact person, the Multicultural and Diversity Health Policy Unit or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit.

Prior training requiredPrior to conducting a home visit, ACT Health staff must complete all related education and demonstrate an understanding of how to safely provide health services during home visits. Staff training requirements and monitoring of this training is the responsibility of each division whose staff provide health services during home visits. Training must be included at work area induction and as part of ongoing refresher training. Training should include the eLearning modules of Personal Safety and Conflict Awareness Training, Work Health & Safety Act 2011, Incident Notification and Manual Handling Awareness. It is recognised that some work areas will require specific training and it is recommended that this training occur through Capabiliti to support divisional monitoring of training.

Preparation The below information is suggested as a guide to ensure that all staff in the work area are aware of details relating to ACT Health staff home visit schedules. Where these details are available, they should be recorded in a known work area location e.g. work area calendar: name, address and phone number of person receiving the health service and their

patient identification number (if known) emergency contact for the person receiving the health service (see definition of

emergency contact)



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the staff member’s nominated contact person in the work area (see definition of nominated contact person)

appointment times, expected finish time and expected return to the work area times (if known)

Government car make and registration number (if applicable) Government issued mobile phone number (if applicable) or personal mobile of staff

member conducting home visits.

The staff member and nominated contact person in the work area must agree upon/confirm how often the staff member will make contact when conducting home visits. This should take into consideration any potential safety risks identified for the home visit.

This contact may reasonably include the staff member phoning and speaking with the nominated contact person: prior to the first home visit and after the last home visit of the day, or at regular agreed upon intervals such as mid afternoon and late afternoon, or other arrangements as agreed upon e.g. staff member phones and speaks with the

nominated contact person at least once when conducting multiple home visits during the day.

Some work areas may require the staff member to phone and speak with the nominated person to advise of any additional non-scheduled visits. Should this need to occur, ACT Health staff should specify their current location, the location of the next visit and the expected time of return to the work area.

The staff member and nominated contact person should also confirm the work area’s agreed upon code word.

For routine home visitsStaff should attempt to contact the person receiving the health service prior to conducting the home visit to confirm the details of the appointment. Depending on work area requirements, this contact may occur on the day or the day prior to the routine home visit. When the home visit is initially arranged, the Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form should be completed and consumers should be made aware of work area processes that apply if the consumer cannot be reached to confirm the details of a routine home visit appointment.

Where applicable, the person should be advised that it is their responsibility to provide a safe work area for the staff member for the home visit.

Reminder: if there are changes to the emergency contact person please ensure that these details are updated in ACTPAS.

Non Response to a Scheduled Visit form For work areas which use a Non Response to a Scheduled Visit form (accessible from the Clinical Forms Register), this form is to be completed by staff during the first home visit.



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Reminder: if there are changes to the emergency contact person please ensure that these details are updated in ACTPAS.

Getting ready to leave ACT Health staff should only aim to take the following necessary items with them during a home visit: identification badge driver’s licence government issued or personal mobile phone (fully charged and left on) personal protective equipment (as determined and provided by the work area) any other equipment required to provide the health service and any paperwork required to provide the health service. Staff are encouraged to have

home visit addresses available in hard copy for easier reference in the case of an emergency.

Where possible, employees should avoid taking personal items which may contain personal information. Should this not be practicable, ACT Health staff must take all reasonable steps to ensure the security of their personal information e.g. ensuring that their mobile phone is locked.

Vehicle UseWhen using an ACT Government Vehicle, ACT Health staff must comply with the relevant ACT Public Sector (ACTPS) Management Guideline (for non-executive or executive vehicles). ACT Health staff will also need to complete the Application to Drive ACTPS Vehicles form upon employment commencement and upon licence renewal, cancellation or suspension. The guidelines and application form is located on the Health Hub under Business Support Services, Fleet Management. For further information, please contact ACT Health Fleet Management.

Staff may be authorised to use a private vehicle for official purposes in exceptional circumstances. For more information please refer to the Approval to Use Private Vehicles for Official Purposes Policy and Procedure accessible from the Policy Register.

ACT Health staff awareness of vehicle parking and pedestrian safety precautions is recommended (see Attachment 1).


Section 3 – Safety during Home Visits

ACT Health staff are responsible for maintaining their own personal safety during home visits and are expected to take precautions to avoid exposing themselves to any unnecessary risks wherever possible. This includes personal safety on the road, during the home visit and in nearby public places.



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Staff should remain vigilant and alert to any possible safety risks. Awareness of safety precautions when arriving at a person’s home and upon entering is recommended (see Attachment 1).

Infection control ACT Health staff should still maintain the basic level of infection prevention and control while providing health services during home visits. For further information please refer to the Healthcare Associated Infections Clinical Procedure accessible from the Policy Register.

In the event of an occupational risk exposure (ORE) to a potential blood borne virus, please refer to the Blood Borne Virus: Occupational Risk Exposure Management Clinical Procedure accessible from the Policy Register.

Manual Handling ACT Health staff must take all reasonable steps to minimise potential manual handling injuries during home visits. Staff should be able to provide the health service in an appropriate work area within the person’s home without having to unsafely bend, twist, reach or adopt other awkward movements. Staff should not provide a health service if it could be reasonably anticipated that providing that health service in the person’s home may result in the staff member sustaining a manual handling injury. The staff member should immediately contact their Line Manager if a manual handling issue is identified during a home visit.

Maintaining contact with nominated contact personContact must be maintained by ACT Health staff during home visits with their nominated contact person as agreed upon/confirmed prior to home visit commencement.

Medical emergency during home visitsAn ACT Health staff member’s priority is to maintain personal safety. If evidence suggests that the person whose home is being visited is seriously injured or potentially deceased, a ‘000’ call should be made immediately.

The decision whether or not to enter a person’s home in this situation should be based on an assessment of the risk at the time. For example, if entering a person’s home presents a risk of harm to ACT Health staff this should not be attempted and staff should wait until emergency services arrive. However, if there is no obvious risk to staff they made decide to enter the person’s home, particularly if they are in a position to commence resuscitation according to Basic Life Support principles (and if trained and equipped to do so).



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Personal threat Potential early indicators for a personal threat or identified risk may include, but are not limited to: person/family member becoming agitated person becoming abusive or sexually suggestive additional family members/other persons arriving unexpectedly mid visit pet(s) not restrained and the person refuses to restrain pet(s) e.g. dog(s) significantly more people in the person’s home than expected with no

explanation/introduction of their presence family members/other persons arriving during the home visit and parking the staff

member’s car in or blocking the exit.

If ACT Health staff, at any time during a home visit, feel unsafe, deem that a risk is emerging, or that there is a personal threat, they are to make an excuse (e.g. something for the person was left in the car) and leave the home immediately.

If it is not possible to leave immediately staff should attempt to contact their nominated contact person using any excuse (e.g. running late for another appointment) and use the agreed upon code word which indicates that the staff member is under duress or threat and requires urgent assistance. The nominated contact person or Line Manager must contact the Police immediately and inform them of the situation.

If staff cannot reach their nominated contact person, when safe to do so, staff should ring ‘000’ to report an emergency. The address of the location should be provided, followed by the nature of the emergency.


Section 4 – Non Response to a Routine Home Visit

When there are concerns for the person’s safety If ACT Health staff attending a person’s home for a routine home visit cannot locate the person at the home and have concerns for the person’s safety, the following steps are recommended: attempt to contact the person directly by phoning their home and mobile number,

where provided (as outlined in the Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form) attempt to contact the person via their emergency contact (as outlined in the Home

Visiting Pre-Assessment form) or obtained from ACTPAS if deemed necessary If all reasonable attempts to contact the person fail, ACT Health staff should contact

their Line Manager to discuss whether it may be appropriate for ACT Health staff should attempt to enter the person’s home and whether emergency services should be contacted.

A Riskman report is to be created where emergency services are contacted, regardless of whether an adverse event has occurred.



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Upon returning to the work area, ACT Health staff must ensure that any action taken due to a non response to a routine home visit is documented in the person’s clinical record.

Non Response to a Scheduled Visit form For work areas which use this form, if other contacts are specified on a completed Non Response to a Scheduled Home Visit Form, staff may decide that contacting these individuals and/or other care providers may be appropriate.

If the person’s house key location details are specified on a completed Non Response to a Scheduled Home Visit Form, access using this house key is another option for consideration.

When there are no concerns for the person’s safety If ACT Health staff attending a person’s home for a routine home visit cannot locate the person at the home and do not have concerns for the person’s safety, the following steps are recommended: attempt to contact the person directly by phoning their home and mobile number,

where provided (as outlined in the Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form) attempt to contact the person via their emergency contact (as outlined in the Home

Visiting Pre-Assessment form) or obtained from ACTPAS if all reasonable attempts to contact the person fail, ACT Health staff should attempt to

leave a message (e.g. voicemail message or written note) for the person advising that the person’s home was visited and that the person could not be located.

Upon returning to the work area, ACT Health staff must ensure that any action taken due to a non response to a routine home visit is documented in the person’s clinical record.


Section 5 – ACT Health staff not returning when expected

If there is an expected time of return to the work area, and the ACT Health staff member does not return to their work area within thirty – sixty minutes of their expected arrival time (exact time to be specified by work area), the nominated contact person must contact the staff member to check on their progress and welfare.

If no response is received, the nominated contact person should contact the Line Manager who will make a decision about the risk level and the best course of action. This response needs to reflect the level of risk that has been identified. For example, it may be appropriate to contact the staff member’s next of kin or the Police may need to be immediately contacted as imminent threats to safety are indicated. High risk situations should also be urgently escalated to the relevant Operational Director or delegate (after hours).


Section 6 – Post Home Visit



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ACT Health staff should advise the nominated contact person and/or Line Manager of their return to the work area following a home visit. This notification will vary depending upon work area requirements e.g. verbal notification and/or written notification on staff board. Should ACT Health staff finish their work day with a home visit, staff should phone and speak with their nominated contact person and/or Line Manager to confirm that they have finished work. This phone call should be made once the ACT Health staff member conducting home visits has safely returned to their vehicle.

Following a home visit staff must enter patient alerts in the Clinical Portal (where applicable). Any home visit safety issues should also be documented in the person’s clinical records. Post Incident ManagementWhen an incident or near miss occurs, ACT Health staff must take all necessary and possible measures to minimise any adverse impact upon themselves and where applicable, the person whose home is being visited.

All incidents that occur during a home visit must be reported to the staff member’s Line Manager and within 24 hours the incident must be recorded in Riskman (through the Staff Accident Incident reporting module). In the event of a significant incident, the Significant Incidents Procedure will also need to be complied with. The Line Manager will initiate the appropriate actions required to assist staff following any incident/accident.

This may include: facilitating access to first aid or medical assistance facilitating access to critical incident/accident debriefing and counselling within 24 to 48

hours reporting the incident to WorkSAFE ACT (if the reporting criteria are met) reporting the incident to a divisional Work Safety Committee reporting of any incidents relating to assault, theft, robbery or damage to ACT Health

property to the Police updating the person’s clinical record and patient alerts (where applicable) to reflect any

additional relevant information that was not captured prior to the visit. Depending upon the work area, it may also be necessary to specify that the Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form will need to be completed prior to the next home visit.




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Implementation

This procedure will form part of the local orientation of all ACT Health staff that provide health services during home visits.

It will also be incorporated into existing training programs and will be communicated through divisional meetings.

Information will be tabled at Strategic, Medical and Nursing Executive meetings. Information will be tabled at the Directors of Allied Health forum run by the Chief Allied

Health Officer for further dissemination.


Related Policies, Procedures, Guidelines and Legislation

Policies and Procedures ACT Health Work Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS) Clinical Record Documentation procedure Multicultural Co-ordinating Framework – Towards Culturally Appropriate and Inclusive

Services 2014-2018 Risk Management Policy Significant Incident procedure Violence and Aggression by Patients Consumers or Visitors Prevention and Management

Policy Violence and Aggression by Patients Consumers or Visitors Procedure Work Health and Safety Management System Work Health and Safety Management System – Section 7.7 Work Health and Safety Policy Approval to Use Private Vehicles for Official Purposes Policy and Procedure Pressure Injury Prevention and Management

Guidelines Risk Management Guidelines Risk Management Framework The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights: A guide for patients, consumers, carers and

families ACT Charter of Rights for people who experience mental health issues

Legislation ACT Human Rights Act 2004 Carers Recognition Act 2010 Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 Mental Health Act 2015 Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011



http://www.health.act.gov.au/sites/default/files/ACT%20Charter%20of%20Rights%20for%20people%20who%20experience%20mental%20health%20issues.pdf

http://acthealth/c/healthintranet?a=sendfile&ft=p&fid=1326233841&sid=

http://acthealth/c/healthintranet?a=sendfile&ft=p&fid=1326233841&sid=

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References

1. NSW Health, Protecting People and Property: NSW Health Policy and Standards for Security Risk Management in NSW Health Agencies June 2013, Chapter 16 Working in the Community/. http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/manuals/Pages/protecting-people-property.aspx

2. NSW Government, Health, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Safety When working Offsite Handbook – A Manual for Workers, Managers and others involved in Working Offsite, Revision 2, December 2012, Roles and Responsibilities involved with offsite visits; The Visit and adapted off site flowchart http://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Policies_Procedures_Guidelines/Workforce/Workplace_Health_and_Safety/documents/SESLHDHB016-WorkingOffsiteManual.pdf

3. Working safely in visiting health services Edition No. 1, June 2006, Work Safe Victoria, https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/9527/Working_Safely_In_Visiting_Health_Services_-_Web.pdf

4. Medicare Local North Coast NSW Safe Home Visiting Policy December 20135. http://healthynorthcoast.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20131217-NCML-Policy-

HR-Safe-Home-Visiting-FINAL.pdf6. Working Safely in Visiting Health Service – Public Sector and Community Services.

WorkSafe Victoria, June 2006ACTPAS User Manual, Module 7 – Contacts


Definition of Terms

ACTPAS: ACT Patient Administration System.

ACT Clinical Portal: The master source of patient alerts (including those relating to the home environment e.g. access issues, animal in the home) and adverse reactions information across ACT Health.

Emergency contact person: someone nominated by the person whose home is being visited as their emergency contact and specified on the Home Visiting Pre-Assessment form , or in ACTPAS.

Hazards: Within the context of this procedure, a hazard is something with the potential to cause harm to staff in the delivery of services during home visits.

Hazard Identification: the process of recognising that a hazard that exists within the off campus environment and defining its characteristics.



http://healthynorthcoast.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20131217-NCML-Policy-HR-Safe-Home-Visiting-FINAL.pdf

http://healthynorthcoast.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/20131217-NCML-Policy-HR-Safe-Home-Visiting-FINAL.pdf

https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/9527/Working_Safely_In_Visiting_Health_Services_-_Web.pdf

https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/9527/Working_Safely_In_Visiting_Health_Services_-_Web.pdf

http://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Policies_Procedures_Guidelines/Workforce/Workplace_Health_and_Safety/documents/SESLHDHB016-WorkingOffsiteManual.pdf

http://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Policies_Procedures_Guidelines/Workforce/Workplace_Health_and_Safety/documents/SESLHDHB016-WorkingOffsiteManual.pdf

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/manuals/Pages/protecting-people-property.aspx

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/manuals/Pages/protecting-people-property.aspx

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Isolated homes: may include, but is not limited to, a home with limited or no mobile phone reception; located away from other homes; and located away from commonly used vehicle routes.

Line Manager or delegate: can include Operational Director and Director on-call.

MHAGIC: Mental Health Assessment Generation Information Collection.

Nominated Contact person: is a staff member who is appointed to track the safe return of the staff member providing services during home visits.

Risk: a risk is the likelihood of harm arising from the exposure to a hazard and the consequences of that harm.

Riskman: An online web based system used to report incidents.


Search Terms

Health Services, Off Campus, Home visit, off campus site, After dark, Late return, Home nursing, Home care, Home visiting, Off campus environment


Attachment

Attachment 1 – Safety Precautions

Disclaimer: This document has been developed by ACT Health, Canberra Hospital and Health Service specifically for its own use. Use of this document and any reliance on the information contained therein by any third party is at his or her own risk and Health Directorate assumes no responsibility whatsoever.

Date Amended Section Amended Approved By5 November 2018 Section 1 – Risk Management Chair, CHS-PC



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Attachment 1 – Safety Precautions Parking safety: valuables, documents and equipment should be locked in the boot always remove the key from the ignition and lock up keep the key on you at all times never hide a spare key in the car where possible, avoid parking in deserted, poorly lit areas park the car in the street in the direction in which intending to leave avoid parking in the driveway – others can park behind and therefore block the exit park the car as close as possible to a well lit area‐ do not get out of the car immediately – take a good look around and make mental notes

about areas that could present a risk

Pedestrian safety: avoid walking in deserted places and do not take short cuts through secluded alleys or

vacant lots walk in the centre of footpaths away from buildings walk around, rather than through groups of people if ACT Health staff suspect they are being followed while walking, they should enter a

business establishment. If contacting emergency services, provide the address followed by the nature of the emergency

if a car appears to be following a staff member, the staff member should cross the street and walk in the opposite direction

Non emergency home visits and entering person’s home safety: after knocking on the door, stand back and to one side do not enter the home if:

o no one answers the door and it is unusual for the consumer not to do soo the door is left open, unless previously arranged o there is evidence of a break in‐o the ACT Health staff member can hear conflicts/arguments coming from the homeo the consumer and/or carer does not know who or why the employee is there

(except for situations where the consumer may have cognitive impairment)o the person answering the door gives cause for concern – make an excuse and do not

entero Non Response to a Scheduled Visit form

For work areas which use this form, if the person’s house key details are specified on a completed Non Response to a Scheduled Home Visit Form, staff may consider it appropriate to enter the home where there are concerns for the person’s safety

upon entering the home:o follow the person into the home – never walk ahead of the persono try to maintain a position closest to exits and escape routeso be alert for items that may pose a risk, such as walking sticks or kitchen kniveso avoid reacting to premises e.g. smells, surroundings, and untidinesso do not spread belongings around in case there is a need to leave quickly



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