Date of Award
Winter 12-14-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing Administration and Emergency Management
Department
Nursing
College
College of Natural & Health Sciences
Committee Chair
Dr. Jennifer Helms
Second Committee Member
Dr. Shelly Randall
Third Committee Member
Dr. Cheryl Monfee
Fourth Committee Member
Dr. Terri McKown
Dean of Graduate College
Dr. Sarah Gordon
Abstract
Abstract
Workplace safety is a continual concern for home healthcare workers that provide medical care in a patient’s home environment. Healthcare workers, such as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing aides, make up the largest group of home care providers. Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, home healthcare providers had to navigate job safety issues related to clutter in the home, unsanitary conditions, pest infestations, fumes, pets, and aggressive family members (Gershon et al., 2008). The pandemic brought about additional safety concerns, such as the implementation of isolation policies and limited supplies of personal protective equipment, to name a few. This cross-sectional descriptive analysis of home health agencies in Arkansas aimed to identify workplace safety issues experienced by home healthcare workers. A convenience sample of (N=14) of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and home health aides were recruited from home health agencies in Central and South Arkansas. Participants completed a 25-question survey that assessed home healthcare providers’ workplace safety issues. Conclusively, the Home Healthcare Workplace Safety During the Covid-19 Pandemic Survey confirmed that home healthcare nurses and aides do experience significant workplace safety issues while providing care during the Covid-19 Pandemic. These safety issues are present despite positive findings related to worker satisfaction with the administrative structure and process of the employing agency and managers.
Keywords: COVID- 19; home healthcare; workplace safety; nurses; home care aides
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Kelly M. Neal, "Home Health Workplace Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Analysis of Home Health Agencies in Arkansas" (2022). ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present. 49.
https://orc.library.atu.edu/etds_2021/49