Why the home healthcare industry needs the right Workers’ Compensation solutions.
In the last few years, the home healthcare industry has exploded. Unfortunately, rapid growth comes with serious downsides. One major issue that the home healthcare industry is dealing with is high rates of work-related injuries and illness. This is why agencies need to protect their staff with the right Workers’ Compensation for home healthcare.
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Industry Growth Leads to New Risks
Reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that rates of injury and illnesses among home healthcare workers increase every year. In fact, the industry is now considered as high-risk as construction, manufacturing, trucking, and mining.
Some of the most common injuries among home healthcare professionals are sprains and muscle strains, usually caused by repetitive motion or improper patient lifting and maneuvering protocols. Other common injuries include bruises, broken bones, cuts, needle punctures, illnesses, and other forms of trauma. These types of injuries can occur due to workplace hazards such as combative patients, fall hazards, and exposure to harmful substances.
Unfortunately, rates of these types of injuries are rising for several reasons. For instance, the high demand for home healthcare services means that employers are trying to fill new positions as quickly as possible. In addition, with lax regulations governing the industry and little time to train new staff, many unqualified workers are entering the field. Naturally, this leads to more workplace accidents and injuries and, therefore, more Workers’ Compensation insurance claims.
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Addressing Employee Injury Risks
There are several things that home healthcare agencies can do to lower their risk of employee injuries. First, new hires should undergo rigorous training, so they are aware of the risks they face while on the job. It is recommended that home healthcare workers be equipped with mitigation strategies that they can employ in risky situations. Employees should also be taught the correct techniques for transporting patients, dealing with combative family members, handling unsafe materials, and addressing other in-home workplace hazards.
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Securing the Right Workers’ Compensation Insurance
While training and education can help home healthcare professionals lower their risk of injuries and illnesses, it’s impossible to completely eliminate these risks. This is because the very nature of home healthcare is unpredictable. Unlike other medical professionals who work in controlled environments, home healthcare workers open themselves up to additional risk because they work in their patients’ homes.
Employers need to look beyond training to keep their staff safe. The best way for home healthcare agencies to protect their employees is by securing the right Workers’ Compensation insurance. This coverage is designed to offer financial coverage for the medical treatments, rehabilitation, and medication that injured employees might need after a work-related injury or illness.
Additionally, return-to-work programs and fraud prevention plans will ensure agencies are protected from threats to their business.
To provide the comprehensive protection that their staff can rely on, home healthcare agencies must work with specialized insurance providers. For more information or to speak with one of our Workers’ Compensation for home healthcare experts, contact us at PMC Insurance Group. (877) PMC-COMP or EMail us at healthcare@pmcinsurance.com.
