Show drivers license to patients in home health

Specialties Home Health

Published

Is it normal in home health to be required by your employer to show your drivers ID to patients at each visit? Seems unsafe

I work a ton with home health and hospice. NEVER has any practitioner had to show a drivers license. They have badges for a reason. You should refuse to show a drivers license. I think it gives a sense of false power to families and makes you vulnerable since your address is on there. There are quite a few families who love to push boundaries and would like your personal cell number and address “just Incase”. nope nope nope. I’ve worked with dozens of angencies, none show any identification beyond a badge, some with photos, some without.

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU/ER/Med-Surg/Case Management/Manageme.

No, I would not agree to this and I would certainly question why the admins thought it was needed and appropriate. The HHA should have checked references, verified your license, and done background checks to ensure the safety of patients you interact with. Your fingerprints are on file with the appropriate agencies (FBI?) - at least in Texas. If patients and/or family members have concerns, those concerns should be addressed on an individual basis by admin.

Now, that said...if I was in the home of an elderly person and they seemed concerned, I might show them ID based on the conversation, my "gut" feelings, etc. but it would be on an individual basis. As for someone discovering my home address? Well, I keep a low profile so it would be somewhat difficult but possilbe. However, I'm not going to hand my address out on a silver platter.

1 Votes
1 hour ago, DallasRN said:

However, I'm not going to hand my address out on a silver platter.

While my State Boards make a nurse's address available to the public, at least there is a process involved with obtaining that information. Otherwise, if you want to stalk me, then follow me home sometime. Do some work to get what you want.

2 Votes
Specializes in ICU/ER/Med-Surg/Case Management/Manageme.
5 minutes ago, caliotter3 said:

Otherwise, if you want to stalk me, then follow me home sometime. Do some work to get what you want.

Love it! Made me laugh. I like the way you think. ?

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