Healthcare Industry – Illness Exposure Risk for Home Healthcare Workers
When someone is unable to drive to medical appointments due to an injury, illness, or age, they might require the assistance of a home healthcare worker. Home healthcare assistances often assist with medical needs, like changing bandages, checking blood pressure, or administering necessary medications. They may also assist with therapeutic exercises or help homebound patients like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation.
Unfortunately, their important job also puts home healthcare workers at an increased risk of exposure to illness and other hazards. While helping someone in their home, a home healthcare worker could be exposed to a variety of illness, ranging from the common cold to serious respiratory diseases like COVID-19 or pneumonia. They could also be exposed to biological hazards, such as:
- Human bodily fluids, such as blood or urine
- Mold and yeast
- Animal droppings, either from household pets or pests like rodents
- Rotting food
- Water waste or sewage
For example, if someone is severely injured and unable to clean their house, rat droppings could lead to illnesses in anyone who visits their home, including home healthcare workers. When home healthcare workers are exposed to biological hazards or other unhealthy substances, they can suffer from a range of health issues, including breathing problems, tetanus infections, and complications from illnesses like COVID-19.
At PEO Insurance Brokers Network, we help agents find homes for their home healthcare industry clients or other clients in high-risk industries. We provide Workers’ Compensation coverage to businesses in need, no matter the risk, and help agents find the best PEO coverage and savings for their insured. To learn how we can help you find coverage for your healthcare industry clients, please reach out to receive a quote.
