This module reviews OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard, how bloodborne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV are transmitted, and the protective measures Saintly Home Health expects all staff to follow.

• Define bloodborne pathogens and how they spread.
• Use Standard Precautions with all patients.
• Use PPE and sharps containers correctly.
• Know steps to take after an exposure incident.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease. They are most commonly transmitted through contact with infected blood or certain body fluids via non-intact skin, needlesticks, or splashes to eyes, nose, or mouth.

Standard Precautions mean treating all blood and certain body fluids as potentially infectious, regardless of the patient’s diagnosis. Hand hygiene, proper use of gloves and other PPE, and safe sharps handling are essential.

After any exposure (such as a needlestick or splash to eyes or mouth), wash or flush the area immediately and follow Saintly’s exposure control plan. Report the incident right away so appropriate follow-up can occur.

This module explains responsibilities related to medical devices in the home: recognizing failures or malfunctions and reporting them promptly.

• Identify what counts as a medical device in home care.
• Recognize when a device is not functioning safely.
• Protect the patient and remove or stop unsafe equipment.
• Report issues according to Saintly policy and regulations.

A medical device can be anything from oxygen equipment, infusion pumps, blood pressure monitors, and glucometers, to walkers, wheelchairs, and hospital beds used in the home.

Staff must monitor for alarms, unusual noises, error messages, fluid leaks, incorrect readings, or any sign that a device is not working as intended. If a device may have contributed to or nearly caused harm, it must be reported according to Saintly’s policy and any applicable regulations.

When in doubt, prioritize patient safety, stop unsafe use, secure the equipment if needed, and notify the Clinical Manager or supervisor for further direction and reporting.

This module reviews Saintly Home Health’s expectations for infection prevention in the home setting.

• Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact.
• Apply Standard Precautions with every patient.
• Use transmission-based precautions when indicated.
• Clean and disinfect reusable equipment between patients.
• Handle sharps safely and use approved sharps containers.

You are responsible for assessing infection risks in the home, educating patients and families, and reporting concerns promptly. Hand hygiene is the most important action you can take to prevent the spread of infection.

Standard Precautions apply to all patients, regardless of diagnosis. This includes the use of gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection when there is risk of contact with blood, body fluids, or non-intact skin.

Transmission-based precautions (contact, droplet, airborne) are added when specific infections are suspected or confirmed. Follow Saintly policy and any orders from the physician or infection control guidance.

This module describes TB transmission, risk factors, screening, and when to escalate concerns in the home health setting.

• Recognize risk factors for TB infection.
• Know typical signs and symptoms of active TB.
• Understand the role of TB testing and follow-up.
• Use appropriate precautions for suspected TB cases.

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is spread when a person with active TB disease in the lungs coughs, speaks, or sneezes and another person breathes in the germs.

Common symptoms of active pulmonary TB include a cough lasting more than three weeks, coughing up blood or sputum, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, fever, and fatigue. Some people have latent TB infection with no symptoms; they are not contagious but may need treatment.

Home health staff must follow Saintly’s TB screening and testing requirements, report any concerning symptoms to the Clinical Manager or physician, and use appropriate respiratory precautions when TB is suspected or confirmed.

This module reviews common respiratory conditions seen in home health and how to respond to early warning signs.

• Recognize key symptoms of respiratory distress.
• Support oxygen safety and proper equipment use.
• Teach patients breathing techniques and positioning.
• Know when to contact the physician or emergency services.

Respiratory disorders include conditions such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, heart failure with fluid in the lungs, and acute respiratory infections. Early recognition of changes in breathing helps prevent emergencies and hospitalizations.

Signs of respiratory distress can include shortness of breath at rest or with minimal activity, increased work of breathing (using accessory muscles, nasal flaring), changes in skin color (pale, gray, or bluish lips or fingertips), anxiety, confusion, or the inability to speak in full sentences.

Home health staff must check and document respiratory status, support proper use of inhalers, nebulizers, and oxygen equipment, and teach patients and caregivers when to call Saintly, the physician, or 911.

This module covers HIPAA regulations and your responsibility to protect Protected Health Information (PHI) at Saintly Home Health.

• Define PHI and where it appears in home care.
• Use and disclose only the minimum necessary information.
• Protect PHI in the home, in transit, and in electronic systems.
• Report privacy breaches according to Saintly policy.

PHI includes any health information that can identify a patient, such as name, address, date of birth, medical record number, diagnosis, and services provided. PHI can be written, spoken, or electronic.

Staff must take reasonable safeguards to protect PHI: do not discuss patients in public places, keep records secure, use passwords appropriately, and make sure paper documents and electronic devices are not left where others can see them.

If a possible breach occurs (for example, lost paperwork, email to the wrong person, or unauthorized access), you must report it promptly to the Privacy Officer or Clinical Manager so that Saintly can investigate and follow HIPAA requirements.

This module focuses on culturally competent care and respectful communication with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Recognize how culture affects health beliefs and decisions.
• Respect religious, dietary, and family preferences.
• Use interpreters and resources when language barriers exist.
• Avoid assumptions and stereotypes; ask respectful questions.

Culture includes language, values, beliefs, traditions, religion, family roles, and views about illness and health care. Two patients with the same diagnosis may have very different goals and preferences based on their culture.

Culturally competent care means listening, asking open-ended questions, and partnering with patients and families to create a plan that fits their beliefs when possible and still meets safety standards.

When language barriers exist, staff should use approved interpreter services rather than relying on children or neighbors. Document communication needs and the resources used so that all team members can support safe and respectful care.

This module explains Saintly Home Health’s emergency preparedness expectations.

• Create or review patient-specific emergency plans.
• Know how to maintain services during disasters when safe.
• Understand communication expectations during events.
• Document and report service interruptions appropriately.

Emergencies may include severe weather, power outages, wildfires, floods, pandemics, or other community disasters, as well as patient-specific emergencies such as falls, sudden illness, or loss of essential equipment.

Staff are expected to assess each patient’s risks and support a written or documented emergency plan that identifies who they can call, what supplies they should have, and what to do if Saintly cannot reach them immediately during a wide-spread event.

During an emergency, follow Saintly’s procedures for checking in with patients, prioritizing those at highest risk (for example, oxygen-dependent or bedbound patients), and notifying leadership of any unmet needs or service interruptions. All actions and attempts to contact the patient must be documented.

This module covers how to recognize and address communication barriers in home health.

• Identify hearing, speech, cognitive, and language barriers.
• Use tools like written instructions, pictures, and teach-back.
• Involve family or interpreters appropriately.
• Document barriers and strategies used.

Communication barriers can result from hearing loss, vision problems, stroke, dementia, speech disorders, language differences, anxiety, or low health literacy. These barriers can cause misunderstanding, safety issues, and poor outcomes if not addressed.

Staff should slow down, use plain language, avoid medical jargon, and confirm understanding (for example, by asking the patient to repeat key instructions back in their own words – “teach-back”).

When needed, use approved interpreters, large-print materials, written instructions, demonstration, or pictures. Document what barriers you observed, how you adapted your communication, and how the patient/ caregiver responded.

This module introduces Saintly Home Health’s Corporate Compliance program.

• Prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Bill only for services provided and documented.
• Use approved documentation practices.
• Report concerns through defined channels without fear of retaliation.

Corporate Compliance means following all laws, regulations, payer rules, and Saintly policies. It includes accurate clinical documentation, honest billing, protecting patient information, and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Fraud is intentional deception for financial gain (for example, billing for visits that never occurred). Waste is overuse of services or resources that is not necessary. Abuse includes practices that are inconsistent with sound medical or business practices and may result in unnecessary costs.

All staff are required to speak up if they see or suspect a compliance concern. Saintly’s policy prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith. Concerns can be reported to a supervisor, Clinical Manager, Administrator, or through designated reporting channels described in the full Corporate Compliance policy.

This module reviews ethical principles and professional boundaries in home health.

• Respect patient autonomy and informed consent.
• Act in the patient’s best interest and avoid harm.
• Maintain professional boundaries and avoid dual relationships.
• Seek guidance when facing ethical dilemmas.

Key ethical principles include: autonomy (respecting patient choices), beneficence (doing good), nonmaleficence (do no harm), and justice (fair and equal treatment).

Professional boundaries protect both the patient and the staff member. Staff should not borrow money from patients, sell products to them, or develop romantic or exploitative relationships. Gifts from patients must follow Saintly policy.

Ethical concerns should be discussed with a supervisor, Clinical Manager, or Administrator. Staff are expected to speak up if they see possible neglect, abuse, exploitation, or unsafe care. Patient safety and dignity must always come first.

This module reviews patient rights and responsibilities at Saintly Home Health.

• Right to be treated with dignity and respect.
• Right to participate in care decisions and refuse treatment.
• Right to privacy, confidentiality, and safe care.
• Right to file complaints without fear of retaliation.

Patients have the right to receive information about their diagnosis, treatment options, and plan of care in a way they can understand. They have the right to be involved in decisions, to ask questions, and to say “no” to treatment to the extent allowed by law and payer rules.

Patients are also responsible for providing accurate health information, following the agreed plan of care when possible, informing staff of changes in condition, and treating staff with respect and courtesy.

Saintly must ensure care is provided without discrimination and that patients know how to voice concerns. Complaints and grievances must be addressed promptly. Patients may contact Saintly leadership, payers, or regulatory agencies if they feel their rights are not respected.

This module covers OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) workplace safety standards relevant to home health.

• Recognize common home care hazards (slips, trips, sharps, chemicals).
• Use safe body mechanics and lifting techniques.
• Follow hazard communication and labeling requirements.
• Report work-related injuries and unsafe conditions promptly.

OSHA’s mission is to protect workers from unsafe conditions. In home health, the “workplace” is often the patient’s home, so staff must assess each home for hazards such as loose rugs, poor lighting, cluttered walkways, pets, smoking, or unsafe equipment.

Safe body mechanics include keeping the load close to your body, bending at the knees instead of the waist, avoiding twisting while lifting, and asking for help or using equipment when needed. Never lift more than you can safely handle.

Hazard communication (HazCom) requires that chemicals be labeled and that Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available. Staff should know how to read labels and SDS for safe handling, storage, and emergency procedures. Any work-related injury, exposure, or near miss must be reported to Saintly promptly so that follow-up and prevention can occur.

This module explains Saintly’s complaint and grievance process.

• Recognize what counts as a complaint or grievance.
• Receive concerns respectfully and without defensiveness.
• Follow required documentation and escalation steps.
• Ensure no retaliation against anyone who voices a concern.

A complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction about care or services. A grievance is a more serious or unresolved complaint that may involve quality of care, patient rights, or safety. All concerns must be taken seriously.

Staff must listen calmly, thank the person for bringing the concern forward, avoid arguing, and explain what will happen next. Complaints and grievances must be documented according to Saintly policy and reported to the appropriate supervisor or Administrator within the required time frames.

Patients and families must be informed of their right to file complaints without fear of retaliation, and they must be told how to contact Saintly leadership, payers, or regulatory agencies if they are not satisfied with the response. The goal is to resolve issues promptly, improve care, and protect patient rights.