11 Safety and Injury Prevention
Introduction
This module will explore different types of injuries that may occur in the home while a HHA/PCA is providing care for a patient. This module will teach how to prevent and provide first aid for falls, burns, cuts, poisoning, and choking. It will also cover fire safety and prevention, and what to do in case of a fire. Lastly, it will cover what to do in case of a serious medical emergency. We will pay special attention to how to handle heart attacks, seizures, and strokes.
Unit A: Injuries
The home is a common place for many unintentional injuries. Unintentional injuries are injuries that happen accidentally and are not on purpose. Over 11,000 people die each year in the United States from unintentional injuries, such as falls, drownings, poisonings, and fires (CDC, 2014a). The most common household injuries include: falls, burns, cuts, poisoning, and choking. We will discuss each of these common injuries and focus on how to prevent them.
Falls
A fall is a situation in which a person accidentally and suddenly moves from a higher to a lower position, in which injury may or may not occur (Leahy, Fuzy & Grafe, 2013). Worldwide falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury (WHO, 2012). Each year approximately 424,000 people die from a fall globally, with about 80% of these falls occurring in low to middle income countries (WHO). Falls can be caused by many different things. Poor mobility, cognitive impairment, the ingestion of alcohol or drugs, poor balance and coordination, vision loss, and unsafe environments are some of the many possible causes of falls. Side effects from medications, neurological and cardiovascular diseases, and physical disabilities are other reasons why people may fall in the home. Confusion and improperly using assistive devices, such as walkers and canes, also put people at risk for an unintentional injury from a fall.
Developmental changes that occur as children grow and as adults age are also important contributing factors for unintentional injuries from falls. Deaths from falls are highest for adults over the age of 60 years across the globe (WHO, 2012). Adults over 65 years, young adults aged 15-29 years, and children 15 years and younger have the highest morbidity rates across the world (WHO).
Injuries from falls can range from relatively mild (such as a bruise) to life-threatening (such as suffering from a hip fracture or brain injury). Fall prevention strategies are the best way to prevent accidental injury from falls. Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides play a crucial role in preventing falls in the home.
Guidelines for Fall Prevention:
- Keep walkways free of clutter, throw rugs, and loose cords.
- Wipe or mop up spills immediately. Close off areas with wet floors until dry to prevent people from walking on wet areas.
- Do not use wax or use other floor cleaners which will leave the floor slippery.
- Ensure all carpeting is tacked down securely and all rugs have