Healthcare Workforce Safety Working Group Advances Discussions on Increasing Safety for Home Health Staff

Tasked with studying staff safety issues affecting home healthcare and home health aide agencies and hospice organizations, the Healthcare Workforce Safety Working Group convened its second meeting on Monday, September 30.  The group must put forward recommendations to the Connecticut Public Health Committee no later than January 1, 2025.

Members voiced ideas to create a central repository integrating all relevant safety data; develop standardized high-level risk assessments for all providers; establish seamless communication systems connecting hospitals, home health organizations, and state agencies to facilitate transitions between levels of care; explore technology-related solutions; and address gaps and inequities in healthcare services affecting patients in rural and urban communities.

Karen Buckley, Vice President, Advocacy, Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA), who serves as a member of the working group, spoke about the importance of not adding to the challenges faced in getting patients care where they need.  She emphasized that consumers need timely access to care in every setting and healthcare workers must feel safe in those settings.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, a new law enhancing safety for healthcare workers took effect.  Public Act 24-19, An Act Concerning The Health And Safety Of Connecticut Residents requires home health aide agencies, except for licensed hospice organizations, to collect and make available to healthcare workers information about a client’s history of violence against healthcare workers, domestic abuse, or substance abuse as well as a list of the client’s diagnoses, including psychiatric history.  Home health aide agencies must also conduct monthly safety assessments with direct care staff and report incidents of abuse or threats to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH).  Certain healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, are required to adopt and implement workplace violence prevention standards.

Connecticut hospitals and health systems remain united in efforts to protect healthcare workers from harm under the Statewide Patient and Family Code of Conduct Policy.  They have established workplace safety committees including management and staff to conduct risk assessments, develop a plan, and meet regularly to implement and modify the plan as required.  They also provide ongoing education and training to staff and volunteers on crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques and approaches to ensuring personal safety.

Click here to watch the Healthcare Workforce Safety Working Group meeting on CT-N.