Physiotherapy home visit safety procedure
SOP template
Check this template against your local regulations and your own policies before you use it.
| SOP no. | Version | Effective date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Approver | Review date |
Purpose
To keep clinicians safe when they work alone in patients’ homes.
Scope
Every home, aged care or community visit by any clinician.
Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Clinician | Follows the check-in rules and leaves if they feel unsafe. |
| Receptionist | Screens risks at booking and watches check-ins. |
| Practice manager | Acts on a missed check-in and reviews incidents. |
Procedure
Check risks at booking
Ask about dogs, other people at home, access, parking and any history of aggression.
Share the schedule
Put each visit’s address and time in the shared calendar.
Check in and out
Message the clinic on arrival and when you leave each visit.
Look around on arrival
Check for hazards such as loose rugs, pets and clutter, and ask for dogs to be secured.
Leave if unsafe
If you feel unsafe at any time, end the visit, leave and call the clinic.
Caution: Your safety comes first. You never need to justify leaving.
Act on a missed check-in
If a clinician misses a check-in, call them, then the patient, then the police if you can’t reach them.
Report incidents
Report any threat, injury or near miss the same day.
Records
- The visit schedule and check-in log.
- Incident reports.
Related documents
- Adverse event procedure
Revision history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approved by |
|---|---|---|---|
