Patient Handbook
A Nurse Is Available 24 Hours A Day To Assist You In Emergencies..
Working Together To Build A Healthier Community
We at Bowes In-Home Care are proud to provide you with your home health services. Our primary concern is to give you appropriate, safe, and quality care — recognizing your individual needs. We will take the time to evaluate you and your family about the specific care required to keep you healthy and at home.
Thank you for allowing us to come into your home to provide physician-directed medical care. We look forward to working with you and your family.
Sincerely Yours,
From All of the Professionals at Bowes In-Home Care
Bowes In Home Care Patient Rights
and Responsibilites
As a home care patient, you have the right to be informed of your rights and responsibilities before the initiation of care
service. If when a patient has been judged incompetent, the patient’s family or guardian may exercise these rights as
described below. As they relate to:
How do we help you get back to being independent and smiling?
Everyone knows a senior would rather stay in the comfort of their own home, but has anyone asked why, beyond the obvious? We have, and the answer is care options. Some families are afraid that if their senior remains in their home it will almost certainly limit the amount and spectrum of care they receive. Bowes In Home Care is a company that was developed to specifically eliminate this issue.
With professionally trained clinicians, including Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists and Nurses offering innovative and proven programs, we can offer a full suite of services that encourage our seniors to RE-IMAGINE their possibilities.
So smile all you want, we’re used to it…
Patient Care
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT:
1. To be involved in your care planning, including education of the same, from admission to discharge, and to be informed in a reasonable time of anticipated termination and/or transfer of service.
2. To receive reasonable continuity of care.
3. To be informed of your rights and responsibilities in advance concerning care and treatment you will receive, including any changes, the frequency of care/service and by whom (disciplines) services will be provided.
4. To be informed of the nature and purpose of any technical procedure that will be performed, including information about the potential benefits and burdens as well as who will perform the procedure.
5. To receive care/service from staff who are qualified through education and/or experience to carry out the duties for which they are assigned.
6. To be referred to other agencies and/or organizations when appropriate and be informed of any financial benefit to the referring agency.
Respect and Confidentiality
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT:
1. To be treated with consideration, respect, and dignity, including the provision of privacy during care.
2. To have your property treated with respect.
3. To have staff communicate in a language or form you can reasonably be expected to understand and when possible, Bowes In-Home Care will assist with or may provide special devices, interpreters, or other aids to facilitate communication.
4. To maintain the confidentiality of your clinical records in accordance with legal requirements and to anticipate Bowes In-Home Care will release information only with your authorization or as required by law.
5. To be informed of Bowes In-Home Care policies and procedures for disclosure of your clinical record.
Financial Aspects of Care
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT:
1. To be informed on the extent to which payment for the home care services may be expected from Medicare, Medicaid or any other payer.
2. To be informed of charges not covered by Medicare and/or responsibility for any payment(s) that you may have to make.
3. To receive this information orally and in writing before care is initiated and within 30 calendar days of the date, Bowes In Home Care becomes aware of any changes.
Self Determination
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT:
1. To refuse all or part of your care/treatment to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the expected consequences of said action.
2. To be informed in writing of rights under state law to formulate advance directives.
3. To have Bowes In-Home Care comply with Advance Directives as permitted by state law and state requirements.
4. To be informed of Bowes In-Home Care’s policies and procedures for implementing advance directives.
5. To receive care whether or not you have an Advance Directive(s) in place, as well as not to be discriminated against whether or not you have executed an Advance Directive(s).
6. To be informed regarding the organization’s policies for withholding of resuscitative services and the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, as appropriate.
7. To not participate in research or not receive experimental treatment unless you give documented, voluntary informed consent.
8. To be informed of what to do in an emergency.
9. To participate in consideration of ethical issues that may arise in your care.
Complaints
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT:
1. To voice complaints/grievances about treatment or care that is (or fails to be) furnished, or regarding lack of respect for property without reprisal or discrimination for same, and be informed of the procedure to voice complaints/grievances with Bowes In-Home Care. Complaints or questions may be registered with the agency administrator Deb Peric by phone, in person or in writing.
The address and phone are:
Bowes In-Home Care
813 Tek Dr
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
800.500.8187
To be informed of the State Hotline. The Illinois Department of Public Health also has a State Hotline for complaints or questions about local home care agencies as well as to voice concerns regarding Advance Directives.
The State Hotline number is 1.800.252.4343.
Bowes In Home Care Days of Operation are:
Monday through Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Illinois Relay Center can be reached at these phone numbers:
• 800.526.0844 (TTY only)
• 800.526.0857 (Voice only)
• 800.501.0864 (Spanish TTY)
• 800.501.0865 (Spanish voice)
Patient Responsibilities You
have the responsibility:
1. To provide complete and accurate information about illness, hospitalization, medications, pain and other matters pertinent to your health — any changes in address, phone or insurance/payment information — and changes made to advanced directives.
2. To inform Bowes In-Home Care when you will not be able to keep your home care appointment.
3. To treat the staff with respect and consideration.
4. To participate in and follow your plan of care.
5. To provide a safe environment for care to be given.
6. To cooperate with staff and ask questions if you do not understand instructions or information given to you.
7. To assist Bowes In-Home Care with billing and/or payment issues to help with processing third-party payment.
8. To inform Bowes In-Home Care of any problems (including issues with following the plan of care), dissatisfaction with services or recommendations for improvement.
Home Health Agency Outcome And Assessment
Information Set (OASIS)
- Statement of Patient Privacy Rights
- Notice About Privacy
- Privacy Act Statement
- Contact Information
- Advance Directives
- Living Will Declaration
STATEMENT OF PATIENT PRIVACY RIGHTS (MEDICARE/MEDICAID)
As a home health patient, you have the privacy rights listed below. You have the right to know why we need to ask you questions.
We are required by law to collect health information to make sure:
1) You get quality healthcare, and
2) Payment for Medicare and Medicaid patients is correct.
You have the right to have your personal healthcare information kept confidential. You may be asked to tell us information about yourself so that we will know which home health services will be best for you. We keep anything we learn about you confidential. This means, only those who are legally authorized to know, or who have a medical need to know, will see your personal health information.
You have the right to refuse to answer questions. We may need your help in collecting your health information. If you choose not to answer, we will fill in the information as best we can. You do not have to answer every question to get services.
You have the right to look at your personal health information.
• We know how important it is that the information we collect about you is correct. If you think we made a mistake, ask us to correct it.
• If you are not satisfied with our response, you can ask the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal Medicare and Medicaid agency, to correct your information.
You can ask the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to see, review, copy, or correct your personal health information which the Federal agency maintains in its HHA OASIS System of Records. See page 14 in this handbook for CONTACT INFORMATION. If you want a more detailed description of your privacy rights, see the statement on the following pages.
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT – Healthcare RECORDS.
FOR PATIENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE MEDICARE OR MEDICAID COVERAGE
As a home health patient, there are a few things that you need to know about our collection of your personal healthcare information.
• Federal and State governments oversee home healthcare to be sure that we furnish quality home healthcare services, and that you, in particular, get quality home healthcare services.
• We need to ask you questions because we are required by law to collect health information to make sure that you get quality healthcare services.
• We will make your information anonymous. That way, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees this home health agency, cannot know that the information is about you.
We keep anything we learn about you confidential.
This is a Medicare & Medicaid Approved Notice
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT – Healthcare RECORDS
THIS STATEMENT GIVES YOU ADVICE REQUIRED BY LAW (the Privacy Act of 1974)
THIS STATEMENT IS NOT A CONSENT FORM. IT WILL NOT BE USED TO RELEASE OR TO USE YOUR Healthcare INFORMATION.
I. AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF YOUR INFORMATION, INCLUDING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR THIS ASSESSMENT.
Sections 1102(a), 1154, 1861(o), 1861(z), 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1871, 1891(b) of the Social Security Act.
Medicare and Medicaid participating home health agencies must do a complete assessment that accurately reflects your current health and includes information that can be used to show your progress toward your health goals. The home health agency must use the “Outcome and Assessment Information Set” (OASIS) when evaluating your health. To do this, the agency must get information from every patient. This information is used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS, the federal Medicare & Medicaid agency) to be sure that the home health agency meets quality standards and gives appropriate healthcare to its patients. You have the right to refuse to provide information for the assessment to the home health agency. If your information is included in an assessment, it is protected under the federal Privacy Act of 1974 and the “Home Health Agency Outcome and Assessment Information Set” (HHA OASIS) System of Records. You have the right to see, copy, review, and request correction of your information in the HHA OASIS System of Records.
II. PRINCIPAL PURPOSES FOR WHICH YOUR INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO BE USED
The information collected will be entered into the Home Health Agency Outcome and Assessment Information Set (HHA OASIS) System No. 09-70- 9002. Your healthcare information in the HHA OASIS System of Records will be used for the following purposes:
• Support litigation involving the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
• Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or by a contractor or consultant;
• Study the effectiveness and quality of care provided by those home health agencies;
• Survey and certification of Medicare and Medicaid home health agencies;
• Provide for development, validation, and refinement of a Medicare prospective payment system; Bowes In Home Care | Patient Handbook 13
• Enable regulators to provide home health agencies with data for their internal quality improvement activities;
• Support research, evaluation, or epidemiological projects related to the prevention of disease or disability, or the restoration or maintenance of health and for healthcare payment related projects; and
• Support constituent requests made to a Congressional representative.
III. ROUTINE USES
These “routine uses” specify the circumstances when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may release your information from the HHA OASIS System of Records without your consent. Each prospective recipient must agree in writing to ensure the continuing confidentiality and security of your information.
Disclosures of the information may be to:
1. The federal Department of Justice for litigation involving the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
2. Contractors or consultants working for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to assist in the performance of a service related to this system of records and who need to access these records to perform the activity;
3. An agency of a State government for purposes of determining, evaluating, and/or assessing cost, effectiveness, and/or quality of healthcare services provided in the State; for developing and operating Medicaid reimbursement systems; or for quality of healthcare services provided in the State; for developing and operating Medicaid reimbursement systems; or for the administration of Federal/State home health agency programs within the State;
4. Another Federal or State agency to contribute to the accuracy of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service’s health insurance operations (Payment, treatment and coverage) and/or to support State agencies in the evaluations and monitoring of care provided by HHAs;
5. Quality Improvement Organizations, to perform Title XI or Title XVIII functions relating to assessing and improving home health agency quality of care;
6. An individual or organization for research, evaluation, or epidemiological project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects;
7. A congressional office in response to a constituent inquiry made at the written request of the constituent about whom the record is maintained.
14 IV. EFFECT ON YOU, IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION
The home health agency needs the information contained in the Outcome and Assessment Information Set in order to give you quality care. It is important that the information be correct. Incorrect information could result in payment errors. Incorrect information also could make it hard to be sure that the agency is giving you quality services. If you choose not to provide information, there is no federal requirement for the home health agency to refuse you services.
NOTE: This statement may be included in the admission packet for all new home health agency admissions. Home health agencies may request you or your representative to sign this statement to document that this statement was given to you. Your signature is NOT required. If you or your representative signs the statement, the signature merely indicates that you received this statement. You or your representative must be supplied with a copy of this statement
If you want to ask the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to see, review, copy, or correct your personal health information that the Federal agency maintains in its HHA OASIS System of Records:
Call 1.800.MEDICARE, toll-free, for assistance in contacting the HHA OASIS
System Manager,
TTY for the hearing and speech impaired: 1.877.486.2048
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH | BRUCE RAUNER, GOVERNOR
STATEMENT OF ILLINOIS LAW ON ADVANCE DIRECTIVES AND DNR ORDERS
You have the right to make decisions about the healthcare you get now and in the future. An advance directive is a written statement you prepare about how you want your medical decisions to be made in the future if you are no longer able to make them for yourself. A do not resuscitate order (DNR order) is a medical treatment order that says cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will not be used if your heart and/or breathing stops.
Federal law requires that you be told of your right to make an advance directive when you are admitted to a healthcare facility. Illinois law allows for the following three types of advance directives: (1) healthcare power of attorney; (2) living will; and (3) mental health treatment preference declaration. In addition, you can ask your physician to work with you to prepare a DNR order. You may choose to discuss with your healthcare professional and/or attorney these different types of advance directives as well as a DNR order. After reviewing information regarding advance directives and a DNR order, you may decide to make more than one. For example, you could make a healthcare power of attorney and a living will.
If you have one or more advance directives and/or a DNR order, tell your healthcare professional and provide them with a copy. You may also want to provide a copy to family members, and you should provide a copy to those you appoint to make these decisions for you.
State law provides copies of sample advance directives forms. In addition, copies of these forms and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Uniform Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Advance Directive are available online at www.idph.state.il.us.
HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY
The healthcare power of attorney lets you choose someone to make healthcare decisions for you in the future if you are no longer able to make these decisions for yourself. You are called the “principal” in the power of attorney form and the person you choose to make decisions is called your “agent.” Your agent would make healthcare decisions for you if you were no longer able to makes these decisions for yourself. So long as you are able to make these decisions, you will have the power to do so. You may use a standard healthcare power of attorney form or write your own. You may give your agent specific directions about the healthcare you do or do not want.
The agent you choose cannot be your healthcare professional or other healthcare providers. You should have someone who is not your agent witness your signing of the power of attorney.
The power of your agent to make healthcare decisions on your behalf is broad. Your agent would be required to follow any specific instructions you give regarding the care you want to be provided or withheld. For example, you can say whether you want all life-sustaining treatments provided in all events; whether and when you want life-sustaining treatment ended; instructions regarding the refusal of certain types of treatments on religious or other personal grounds; and instructions regarding anatomical gifts and disposal of remains. Unless you include time limits, the healthcare power of attorney will continue in effect from the time it is signed until your death. You can cancel your power of attorney at any time, either by telling someone or by canceling it in writing. You can name a backup agent to act if the first one cannot or will not take action. If you want to change your power of attorney, you must do so in writing.
LIVING WILL
A living will tell your healthcare professional whether you want death-delaying procedures used if you have a terminal condition and are unable to state your wishes. A living will, unlike a healthcare power of attorney, only applies if you have a terminal condition. A terminal condition means an incurable and irreversible condition such that death is imminent and the application of any death delaying procedures serves only to prolong the dying process.
Even if you sign a living will, food and water cannot be withdrawn if it would be the only cause of death. Also, if you are pregnant and your healthcare professional thinks you could have a live birth, your living will cannot go into effect.
You can use a standard living will form or write your own. You may write specific directions about the death-delaying procedures you do or do not want.
Two people must witness your signing of the living will. Your healthcare professional cannot be a witness. It is your responsibility to tell your healthcare professional if you have a living will if you are able to do so. You can cancel your living will at any time, either by telling someone or by canceling it in writing.
If you have both a healthcare power of attorney and a living will, the agent you name in your power of attorney will make your healthcare decisions unless he or she is unavailable.
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PREFERENCE DECLARATION
A mental health treatment preference declaration lets you say if you want to receive electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) or psychotropic medicine when you have a mental illness and are unable to make these decisions for yourself. It also allows you to say whether you wish to be admitted to a mental health facility for up to 17 days of treatment.
You can write your wishes and/or choose someone to make your mental health decisions for you. In the declaration, you are called the “principal” and the person you choose is called an “attorney-in-fact.” Neither your healthcare professional nor any employee of a healthcare facility in which you reside may be your attorney-in-fact. Your attorney-in-fact must accept the appointment in writing before he or she can start making decisions regarding your mental health treatment. The attorney-in-fact must make decisions consistent with any desires you express in your declaration unless a court order differently or an emergency threatens your life or health. Your mental health treatment preference declaration expires three years from the date you sign it. Two people must witness you signing the declaration. The following people may not witness your signing of the declaration: your healthcare professional; an employee of a healthcare facility in which you reside; or a family member related by blood, marriage or adoption. You may cancel your declaration in writing prior to its expiration as long as you are not receiving mental health treatment at the time of cancellation. If you are receiving mental health treatment, your declaration will not expire and you may not cancel it until the treatment is successfully completed.
DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDER
You may also ask your healthcare professional about a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR order). A DNR order is a medical treatment order stating that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will not be attempted if your heart and/or breathing stops. The law authorizing the development of the form specifies that an individual (or his or her authorized legal representative) may execute the IDPH Uniform DNR Advance Directive directing that resuscitation efforts shall not be attempted. Therefore, a DNR order completed on the IDPH Uniform DNR Advance Directive contains an advance directive made by an individual (or legal representative), and also contains a physician’s order that requires a physician’s signature.
Before a DNR order may be entered into your medical record, either you or another person (your legal guardian, healthcare power of attorney or surrogate decision-maker) must consent to the DNR order. This consent must be witnessed by one person who is 18 years or older. If a DNR order is entered into your medical record, appropriate medical treatment other than CPR will be given to you. A copy of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Uniform Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Advance Directive that may be used by you and your physician and a link to guidance for individuals, healthcare professionals and healthcare providers concerning the IDPH Uniform DNR Advance Directives are available online at www.idph.state.il.us.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE?
Under Illinois law, a healthcare “surrogate” may be chosen for you if you cannot make healthcare decisions for yourself and do not have an advance directive. A healthcare surrogate will be one of the following persons (in order of priority): guardian of the person, spouse, any adult child(ren), either parent, any adult brother or sister, any adult grandchild(ren), a close friend, or guardian of the estate.
The surrogate can make all healthcare decisions for you, with certain exceptions. A healthcare surrogate cannot tell your healthcare professional to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment unless you have a “qualifying condition,” which is a terminal condition, permanent unconsciousness, or an incurable or irreversible condition. A “terminal condition” is an incurable or irreversible injury for which there is no reasonable prospect of cure or recovery, death is imminent and life-sustaining treatment will only prolong the dying process. “Permanent unconsciousness” means a condition that, to a high degree of medical certainty, will last permanently, without improvement; there is no thought, purposeful social interaction or sensory awareness present; and providing life-sustaining treatment will only have minimal medical benefit.
An “incurable or irreversible condition” means an illness or injury for which there is no reasonable prospect for cure or recovery, that ultimately will cause the patient’s death, that imposes severe pain or an inhumane burden on the patient, and for which life-sustaining treatment will have minimal medical benefit.
Two doctors must certify that you cannot make decisions and have a qualifying condition in order to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment. If your healthcare surrogate decision-maker decides to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment, this decision must be witnessed by a person who is 18 years or older. A healthcare surrogate may consent to a DNR order, however, this consent must be witnessed by one individual 18 years or older.
A healthcare surrogate, other than a court-appointed guardian, cannot consent to certain mental health treatments, including treatment by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), psychotropic medication or admission to a mental health facility. A healthcare surrogate can petition a court to allow these mental health services.
FINAL NOTES
You should talk with your family, your healthcare professional, your attorney, and any agent or attorney-in-fact that you appoint about your decision to make one or more advance directives or a DNR order. If they know what healthcare you want, they will find it easier to follow your wishes. If you cancel or change an advance directive or a DNR order in the future, remember to tell these same people about the change or cancellation.
No healthcare facility, healthcare professional or insurer can make you execute an advance directive or DNR order as a condition of providing treatment or insurance. It is entirely your decision. If a healthcare facility, healthcare professional or insurer objects to following your advance directive or DNR order then they must tell you or the individual responsible for making your healthcare decisions. They must continue to provide care until you or your decision maker can transfer you to another healthcare provider who will follow your advance directive or DNR order.
Last updated August 2, 2011
IDPH Online Home
Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Nursing Homes in Illinois
Phone 217.782.4977
Fax 217.782.3987
TTY 800.547.0466
Questions or Comments?
LIVING WILL
DECLARATION
This declaration is made this day__________________
of___________________
_____________________(month, year).
I,______________________ , being of sound mind, willfully and voluntarily make known my desires that my moment of death shall not be artificially postponed. If at any time I should have an incurable and irreversible injury, disease, or illness judged to be a terminal condition by my attending physician who has personally examined me and has determined that my death is imminent except for death delaying procedures, I direct that such procedures which would only prolong the dying process be withheld or withdrawn, and that I will be permitted to die naturally with only the administration of medication, sustenance, or the performance of any medical procedure deemed necessary by my attending physician to provide me with comfort care. In the absence of my ability to give directions regarding the use of such death delaying procedures, it is my intention that this declaration shall be honored by my family and physician as the final expression of my legal right to refuse medical or surgical treatment and accept the consequences from such refusal.
Signed________________________________________
City, County and State of Residence_____________________
The declarant is personally known to me and I believe him or her to be of sound mind. I saw the declarant sign the declaration in my presence (or the declarant acknowledged in my presence that he or she had signed the declaration) and I signed the declaration as a witness in the presence of the declarant. I did not sign the declarant’s signature above for or at the direction of the declarant. At the date of this instrument, I am not entitled to any portion of the estate of the declarant according to the laws of intestate succession or, to the best of my knowledge and belief, under any will of the declarant or other instrument taking effect at declarant’s death, or directly financially responsible for declarant’s medical care.
Witness__________________________
Witness__________________________
History
(Source: P.A. 85-1209.)
Annotations
Note. This section was Ill.Rev.Stat., Ch. 110 1/2, Para. 703.
What You Can Do to
Prevent Falls
Begin a regular exercise program
Exercise makes you stronger and feels better. Exercises that improve balance and coordination are the most helpful. Ask your doctor or healthcare provider about the best type of exercise program for you.
Have your healthcare provider review your medicines
(Always tell your home health nurse of any extra “over the counter” medicines you are taking along with your medicines prescribed by your doctor).
As you get older, the way medicines work in your body can change. Some medicines or combinations of medicines can make you sleepy or dizzy and can cause you to fall.
Have your vision checked once a year
You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition like glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision. Poor vision can increase your chances of falling.
Make your home safer
Remove things that you can trip over (like papers, books, clothes and shoes) from stairs and places that you walk
Remove small throw rugs or use double-sided tape/rug grippers to keep the rugs from slipping
Keep items you use often in cabinets that you can reach easily without using a step stool
Have grab bars put in next to your toilet and in the tub or shower
Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors
Improve the lighting in your home. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well.
Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare
Have handrails and lights put in on all staircases
Wear shoes — both inside and outside the house. Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers
About half of all falls happen at home. To make your home safer:
Other Safety Tips
Keep emergency numbers in large print near each phone
Put a phone near the floor in case you fall and cannot get back up
Think about wearing an alarm device that will bring help in case you fall and cannot get up
General Home Safety
Bathroom Safety Checklist
Have you installed grab bars in bath and shower stalls?
Do you use a non-slip mat or have adhesive safety strips installed in bathtubs and showers?
Do you have a bath mat with a non-skid bottom for every bathroom floor?
Are you careful not to use cleaning supplies that may leave a slippery residue?
Do you use night lights to help light hallways and bathrooms during nighttime hours?
Have you locked medicines, cosmetics and cleaning supplies in a secure cabinet?
Safe Steps Checklist
Are all stairs and steps protected with a secure banister or handrail on each side that extends the full length of the stairs?
Do you keep all stairwells, paths and walkways well lit?
Are throw rugs in your home placed over a rug-liner or do they have non-skid backs to reduce your chance of slipping?
Do you keep stairs, landings and all floors clear of clutter and cords?
Do you use a sturdy step stool and handrails when climbing is necessary?
Do you keep floors clean by promptly wiping up grease, water and other spills?
Electrical Safety Checklist
independent testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Are wet areas of our home, such as the kitchen and bathrooms, protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)?
Do you keep electrical cords out of traffic areas?
Are all cords in good condition and not knotted or coiled or pinched under furniture or rugs?
Our portable space heaters used away from combustibles such as curtains or stacks of newspapers?
Are countertop electrical appliances located away from the sink, and their cords away from hot surfaces?
Do you remember to unplug all countertop appliances when not in use?
Are the range top and the areas above it free from things that can burn, including towels, potholders, and plastic utensils?
Are small electrical appliances such as hairdryers, curling irons, and razors kept away from water and unplugged and stored when not in use?
Are electric blankets in good working order and unplugged when not in use?
Infection Control in the Home
Infection Prevention Tips and Knowledge Base
Family members should maintain personal cleanliness by washing their hands before and after using the bathroom and before handling food.
Family members should wash their hands before and after giving patient care. (Keep patient as clean as possible.
Use a liquid soap in the bathroom.
Cover the faucet and the handles with tissue paper before touching them.
Each family member should use his or her own toothbrush and drinking glass.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of germs.
Turn your head to avoid droplets from coughs or sneezes.
Food Safety Tips
Refrigerate the milk and other perishable foods.
Drink safe water.
The household may use the same cooking pots and utensils; however, commonly used or unclean eating utensils should be avoided.
Do not share food from the same plate.
Wash the patient’s dishes last, or use disposable dishes.
Maintain health at a high level by eating a balanced diet and getting adequate amounts of sleep, rest, sunshine, fresh air, and exercise.
Obtain and maintain protection against the diseases for which there are known immunizing agents and talk to your physician about your immunizations.
Call your physician and home health nurse when you have complaints of:
Frequent coughs
Sudden weight loss
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Increased redness of any wounds
Elevated temperature
Areas of skin breakdown
Lethargy
Night sweats
Aching rashes
Sore throat
Headache
Burning or pain during urination
Stiff neck
If possible, have your own room and bathroom.
Clean your room daily. Items such as toys, books, and games may be cleaned with soap and water or wiped down with alcohol.
Wash trash containers with soap and water; then spray the containers with commercial disinfectant.
Wash the floors and the furniture with a commercial disinfectant.
Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning medical equipment.
When it is possible, open the windows and air out your room.
Clean up spills of blood or urine with a 10% bleach solution. Mix 1 part of bleach to 10 parts of water daily.
Throw away unused bleach solution at the end of the day.
The family should wear disposable gloves if contact with the patient’s blood, wound drainage, feces, urine, open areas of the skin, or other bodily fluids is a possibility.
The family members should wear utility gloves if they are handling soiled linens, cleaning the patient’s living area, or cleaning up spills of blood, urine, or feces. Clean utility gloves with hot soap and water; then disinfect the gloves with a 10% bleach solution.
The family members should wear utility gloves if they are handling soiled linens, cleaning the patient’s living area, or cleaning up spills of blood, urine, or feces.
Clean utility gloves with hot soap and water; then disinfect the gloves with a 10% bleach solution.
Throw away and replace cracked or torn utility gloves.
Bag your trash separately (from that of the family) in a plastic leak-resistant bag.
Double bag as needed to prevent leakage of soiled bandages or disposable items.
Keep animals and pets out of your trash.
Place needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects in a hard plastic or metal container with a screw-on lid or with a lid that fits securely
If you use a coffee can, be sure to reinforce the plastic lid with heavy-duty tape
Keep containers with sharp objects out of children’s reach.
Keep in mind the following regarding infection control in the home:
Good common sense usually provides the best solutions to many situations
The liberal use of soap and water is still one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection.
More About Bowes In
Home Care
General Rules in the Event of a Fire
Get out as quickly as possible
Leave all possessions behind
Never go back inside for any reason
Crawl low under the smoke
Test all doors before you open them. Open a door only if it is cool, and even then be prepared to close it quickly if smoke or flames rush in
STOP, DROP AND ROLL if your clothes catch on fire. Cover your face with your hands
Don’t panic if you are trapped
Close the door between you and the fire
If there is a working phone in the room, call the fire department and tell the dispatcher the location of the room — even if you see fire trucks outside
Stuff rags, towels, clothing, or blankets around the door cracks to keep out smoke
Wait at a window. If possible, signal Fire Fighters with a light-colored cloth or flashlight. If possible, put a wet cloth over your nose and mouth
DO NOT break the window
Safe Steps Checklist
If a person is ambulatory:
Immediately evacuate the building Dial 911 or _______________ to report a fire
If a person is non-ambulatory but is not bedridden:
Transfer person to wheelchair or another movable piece of furniture that will go through the doorway
If a person is bedridden:
Close the door to the room the person is in and seal the cracks with towels and blankets
Evacuate the building
Dial 911 or _______________ to report a fire.
Plan “Safe Meetings” place for family members to meet — i.e. mailbox
If the fire is inside the room, remove the person by any method available,
close the door to the fire, seal the cracks with towels or blankets
If unable to remove the person from the room where the fire is present, move the person as close to the floor as possible, and cover with wet sheets/towels while waiting for help Dial 911 or ________________ to report the fire and notify the fire department that a disabled person is trapped and needs assistance
Medication Safety
Never share or borrow medications
Take your medication on schedule. If you miss a dose consult your nurse or physician
Do not save old medications for future use
Keep your medications in a safe, dry place, out of reach of children
Do not put all medications into one bottle
Always check the label before you take a medication. If you can’t read the print, ask the pharmacist to re-label the bottle with larger size print
Ask your physician before taking any non-prescription medications
If you have trouble remembering to take your medications, a medication box may help
Always keep a list of your medications with you at all times. If you are allergic to any medications, you should have a medical alert tag or card
Watch for signs of medication allergy—if there is difficulty breathing, swelling in the throat, or change of mental status… CALL 911
Hot Weather Emergency
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing
Drink water and other fluids to replace fluids and electrolytes lost through sweating
Stay in a cool environment. Fans help to cool the environment, but air conditioning is preferred on very hot days
Cold Weather Emergency
Keep a 1-2 week supply of food and water, heating fuel, and medications
Stay in, stay warm. If you must go out, dress warmly. Protect your skin from frostbite
Keep your car properly serviced and filled with gas. Keep emergency supplies in your car: container of sand, windshield scraper, blanket, and flashlight
Carry a cellular phone, if possible
Tornado Safety
Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls
In homes and small buildings, go to the basement or an interior part of the lowest level if there is no basement
Closets, bedrooms, and interior halls offer the best protection in many cases
Get under something sturdy, such as a heavy piece of furniture or stairwell support if possible
In high-rise buildings, go to interior small rooms or hallways on the lowest floor possible
In mobile homes or vehicles, leave and take shelter in a substantial structure. If there is no nearby shelter, lie flat in the nearest ditch or ravine with your hands sheltering your head
Cover your head and face with a blanket or pillow to provide protection from flying debris
If you are not ambulatory, get to an innermost hall or room on the lowest level possible
If the patient is bedridden and cannot leave the room, move the bed as far away from the windows as possible, and close the drapes/blinds
