2.3.4: How a Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide Support a Patient’s Rights
(adapted from Leahy, Fuzy & Grafe, 2013)
- Never abuse a patient in any way. Complete all tasks and provide excellent care for patients. Never neglect their care.
- Report any suspected instance of abuse or neglect to a supervisor immediately.
- Keep all patient information confidential. Never discuss patient information in a public place.
- Do not gossip about a patient to friends or family. Never discuss patient information with people outside of the health care team.
- Never leave patient records unattended. If using a computer, use a protected password. Close the browser and log out of a patient’s record before walking away from the computer.
- Don’t leave messages with identifying patient information on voice mail messages or with people who are taking messages.
- Don’t put patient identifying information in emails. Do not keep patient information on a personal computer or other personal electronic devices.
- Shred documents as the agency directs. Never throw documents with patient identifying information out in the regular garbage.
- Do not take pictures while at a patient’s home. Do not take pictures of a patient with a personal camera. Do not take photos of a patient’s home or belongings.
- Do not share information about a patient or their family on social networking sites. Never discuss patient names, addresses, or information with which others could identify the patient.
- Never tell or bring a family member or friend to a patient’s home during or in between work hours.
- Always knock on a patient’s door before entering the house or a room they are in.
- Never open or read a patient’s mail.
- Call the patient by their preferred name. Don’t use baby talk with adults.
- Involve the patient in the planning of their care and let them make choices and complete any task independently that they can.
- Never automatically touch a patient or complete a task without seeking permission first.
- If a patient refuses a service or treatment, respect their right to do so. Document and report the refusal.
- Do not accept gifts or money from a patient or their family.
- If you shop for groceries or other items for a patient, use the money as directed.
- Document all care provided carefully, timely, and truthfully. Be accurate with the amount of time provided care. Never document care that was not provided.