Home Healthcare (HC) is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. and the trend will increase in the next decades. This reflects numerous factors: traditionally in-hospital medical procedures now performed at home, advances in technologies, healthcare cost containment, improved infection control, and the desire of most Americans to be cared for at home. At the same time, the U.S. population is living longer with multiple chronic conditions that require increasingly complex medical and personal home care. Little consideration has been given to the home as a workplace or to the occupational safety and health (OSH) hazards of HC workers. The objective of the proposed study is to assess qualitatively and quantitatively a broad range of OSH hazards experienced by HC workers, with a focus on aides, and to work with HC agencies, unions, and frontline workers to identify and disseminate effective OSH interventions. The research will build on a previous NIOSH- funded study, 2004-2008, and will expand an active network of HC industry and labor partners.

Public Health Relevance

This study aims to improve the occupational safety &health (OSH) of home care (HC) workers, a rapidly growing, under-studied, low-wage, diverse population. Insuring OSH in HC improves the health &safety of patient/clients, as well as that of workers. Timing is critical, as HC is one of the fastest growing industries, the U.S. population is aging, and complex medical and personal care is increasingly done at home.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01OH008229-05A2
Application #
7887992
Study Section
Safety and Occupational Health Study Section (SOH)
Program Officer
Kumar, Lata
Project Start
2004-09-01
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$449,148
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
956072490
City
Lowell
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01854
Sun, Chuan; Buchholz, Bryan; Quinn, Margaret et al. (2018) Ergonomic evaluation of slide boards used by home care aides to assist client transfers. Ergonomics 61:913-922
Goodyear, Nancy; Markkanen, Pia; Beato-Melendez, Christian et al. (2018) Cleaning and disinfection in home care: A comparison of 2 commercial products with potentially different consequences for respiratory health. Am J Infect Control 46:410-416
Brouillette, Natalie M; Quinn, Margaret M; Kriebel, David (2017) Risk of Sharps Injuries to Home Care Nurses and Aides: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Occup Environ Med 59:1072-1077
Markkanen, Pia; Galligan, Catherine; Quinn, Margaret (2017) Safety Risks Among Home Infusion Nurses and Other Home Health Care Providers. J Infus Nurs 40:215-223
Brouillette, Natalie M; Quinn, Margaret M; Kriebel, David et al. (2017) Risk of sharps injuries among home care aides: Results of the Safe Home Care survey. Am J Infect Control 45:377-383
Quinn, Margaret M; Markkanen, Pia K; Galligan, Catherine J et al. (2016) Occupational health of home care aides: results of the safe home care survey. Occup Environ Med 73:237-45
Markkanen, Pia; Galligan, Catherine; Laramie, Angela et al. (2015) Understanding sharps injuries in home healthcare: The Safe Home Care qualitative methods study to identify pathways for injury prevention. BMC Public Health 15:359
Tarigan, Lukman H; Cifuentes, Manuel; Quinn, Margaret et al. (2015) Prevention of needle-stick injuries in healthcare facilities: a meta-analysis. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 36:823-9
Galligan, Catherine J; Markkanen, Pia K; Fantasia, Linda M et al. (2015) A growing fire hazard concern in communities: home oxygen therapy and continued smoking habits. New Solut 24:535-54
Markkanen, Pia; Quinn, Margaret; Galligan, Catherine et al. (2014) Characterizing the nature of home care work and occupational hazards: a developmental intervention study. Am J Ind Med 57:445-57

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