With an aging population increasingly choosing to age in place, the demand for home healthcare workers is expected to grow at a pace that outstrips even the fastest-growing areas of the healthcare industry, according to a recent CNBC report. Fortunately, most caregivers show a positive attitude toward infection control, though some gaps in knowledge still exist. However, there are encouraging signs that more caregivers are becoming more aware and proactive about infection prevention in home settings.
For example, a 2018 study by Columbia University and the Visiting Nurse Service of New York found that 100% of home healthcare nurses reported proper glove use when handling blood or bodily fluids — a strong indicator of good infection control practices.
Despite these positives, home healthcare presents unique challenges when it comes to infection control. Understanding these issues can help caregivers provide safer, more effective care and keep patients comfortable in their own homes.
**Limited Guidance on Compliance**
Home healthcare is still a relatively new field, and as such, there's limited standardized guidance on infection control in non-clinical settings. The last major study on this topic was conducted in 2014, based on data from 2010. As research progresses, better strategies will emerge. Until then, caregivers must rely on their knowledge, experience, and judgment to prevent infections effectively.
**The Need for Serious Medicine in Casual Environments**
As Jennifer Sheets, Chief Clinical Officer of Bayada Home Health Care, has noted, there is a lack of understanding about the unique challenges of infection control in home environments. Caregivers must be able to apply hospital-level infection protocols in less controlled settings. This requires not just knowing the rules, but understanding the reasoning behind them and adapting them practically for home use.
**Limited Resources**
In hospitals, access to soap, sterilization tools, and other essentials is guaranteed. But in many homes, these basics may be missing. Caregivers need to be prepared to bring necessary supplies or ensure that patients have access to them to reduce infection risks.
**The Need to Control the Unpredictable**
Even with the best infection control practices, the unpredictable nature of home life can introduce unexpected variables — like a friend or family member who shows up with a cold. Caregivers must be ready to manage these situations, often by educating others in the patient’s environment on how to stay safe.
**The Importance of the Caregiver as a Teacher**
One of the main reasons people choose in-home care is to maintain their daily routines and relationships. To support this while keeping the patient safe, caregivers must act as educators, teaching family members and visitors about key infection control measures — like hand hygiene — in simple, approachable ways.
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