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Purpose
The home safety assessment is designed to provide a detailed walkthrough of the patient’s home, identify safety hazards to the patient, and make recommendations when needed.
Using the Home Safety Assessment Checklist (appendix A), the assessment begins at the driveway or walkway and ends at the back yard. It is designed to focus on things such as trip hazards, kitchen safety, adequate lighting in the home and in walk areas, grab bars and lift handles if applicable, and other notable safety features or lack thereof. This assessment is not a mechanical inspection of the home and is not designed to look at the safety of electrical wiring, hot water heaters, plumbing, or any other mechanical features of the home.
Policy Statements
The Community Paramedic (CP) will provide home safety assessments for patients in response to a Request for Service from a health authority or primary health care provider. It is expected that the CP will make recommendations following these assessments, report findings to the primary health care provider, and collaborate with other health care professionals to provide support as appropriate.
Procedure
Documentation
DOCUMENT home safety assessment on Home Safety Assessment Checklist and indicate that the home safety assessment was completed on Initial Assessment Screen form.
References