Home Health Nurse Safety

cathrn64 · Apr 23, 2011

I would say that in 20yrs of home health, there have been little to no times when I felt at risk in a home. The pt's are usually very happy you are there. I had a co-worker who had to go into a "bad" neighborhood. While she was there, the pt's family members "protected" her car. As far as the neighborhoods go, you learn to see the pt's early in the day. This is when it is safer,(the gang bangers are either in school or alseep) Every agency is different, but the ones I worked for offered an escort if you felt unsafe in any area.

RN1263 · Apr 24, 2011

There have been a 2-3 times when Patients were mentally ill or psychotic and I feared for my safety. One patient stated she was going to attack me and start biting me (with a psychotic look in her eyes), BUT she didn't, then I excused myself from her home (I think she was looking for a reaction and when she didn't get one she backed off).

Another time a man had very high BS and I called 911- He freaked out that I called 911 and locked me in his house and put furniture in front of the door and started throwing things at me.....there was no back door and I had to talk my way out and move the furniture, then waited outside for ambulance and police to get to my car.

Another time a lady in an electric W/C got upset about something (?) and pinned me against the wall with her w/c. I practically climbed on top of her to get the hell out.

Other then that, I had two huge attack dogs growling and barking at me after this sweet old lady told me "come on in", however her poochies didn't listen to her once they were in attack mode. Her Dtr in law FINALLY came downstairs and pulled them away from me. I have been afraid of dogs ever since.....

Thankfully that's only a few times when I felt threatened in 3 1/2 yrs. of doing HH. Normally I'm not afraid to go into a house, even if it looks creepy- some of the nicest people live in horrible housing, But sometimes I can't take the smell...LOL

Isabelle49 · Apr 28, 2011

Never had a problem with patients or family. I think I walked up on a drug deal once and that kind of gave me the willies, but no problem.

.Alwyas be aware of your surroundings. Go into 'bad' areas early in the day. Refuse to go into an area at a time that you know is unsafe, unless you have an escort (police).

tewdles, RN · Apr 28, 2011

I have definitely been concerned about my safety and the safety of other caregivers who visited homes of mentally unstable patients. I have most certainly been in very dangerous neighborhoods in both daylight and at night...I have called for security or police escort on more than one occasion. Of course, I was providing home care to persons in the greater meto Detroit area which is likely very different than similar visits in a smaller or more rural/suburban location.