NIOSH: Home health care workers risk violence on the job

NIOSH is preparing a report on violence toward home health care workers, and preliminary results released in April indicate nearly one-third have been assaulted by a patient at work.

Of the 677 home health care aides surveyed, 31 reported having been hit, kicked, pinched, shoved or bitten by a patient at least once during a 12-month period, according to a NIOSH press release. Risk factors included patient handling and caring for patients who have dementia.

A detailed study is expected to be published early this year.



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