You’re living with a medical need and you want your home to be a place where you feel calm and secure. Nothing is more reassuring than knowing that you’re safe. To help with that, we’re sharing some basic tips that can help you and your caregivers safely manage your therapy at home.
Medication safety
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Store your medications and supplies in a safe, dry place; keep medications away from direct light and heat, and where children can’t see or reach them
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For refrigerated medication:
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Store it between 36°F and 46°F
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Seal the medication in a plastic bag
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Keep it in a dedicated space in the refrigerator
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Let it warm up to room temperature before you use it. Never put it in hot water, sunlight or a microwave to speed up the process
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Always check the medication label for:
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Patient’s name
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Name of medication
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Correct dose
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Route (intravenous or subcutaneous)
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Expiration date
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Make sure the medication is clear, consistent in color and free of any visible particles
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Read and follow the specific instructions given to you by the doctor or nurse
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Prepare the medication as instructed by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, per your doctor’s treatment plan
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Always throw away all used needles in a Sharps container. The lid should close tightly over the top at all times. Call us to reorder when your Sharps container is three-quarters full
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Keep pets out of the room during your treatment
Tube feeding formula safety
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Store your supplies and formula in a cool, dry place like a pantry, basement, cupboard or closet
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Check the expiration date on the formula
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Don’t mix used formula with the new one
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Cover any unused formula and store it in the refrigerator
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Throw away unused prepared formula after 24 hours
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Put only enough mixed formula or breast milk for up to four hours in a feeding bag at one time
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Put only enough ready-to-feed formula for up to 12 hours in a feeding bag at one time
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Check the formula before you use it. Don’t use it if it looks or smells different than usual. If it seems wrong, contact your Coram Dietitian
Oxygen safety
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Never smoke or let others smoke near the place where oxygen is stored or being used. Ask your oxygen company about providing no-smoking signs for your home
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Keep oxygen canisters at least five to 10 feet away from any heat source or open flame (like a heater, gas stove, fireplace, wood-burning stove or candles) or anything that can cause a spark, like electric heaters, blankets or hair dryers
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Make sure your tanks stand upright and are held in place using the approved holder/cart your oxygen company gave you. You can lay oxygen tanks on the floor if you don’t have a way to secure them in an upright position
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Don’t use extension cords or multi-outlet adaptors like power strips near your oxygen equipment
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Know how your oxygen equipment works
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Check how much oxygen is left in your tank frequently. Let your oxygen company know if you’re running low on oxygen
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Let your utility/power company know about your medical need to have oxygen at home, just in case of a power outage
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Store your oxygen tanks away from sunlight
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Use water-based lotions and products; do not use oil or petroleum-based products while using oxygen
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Keep your oxygen company’s phone number handy in case the tank or equipment malfunctions, breaks or you need to order more oxygen
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Do not change your oxygen dosage unless your doctor tells you to change it
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Turn your oxygen off when you’re not using it
Fire safety
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Install a smoke alarm on each floor of your home, preferably in all bedrooms
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Check smoke alarms every month to make sure they work. Change the batteries if they don’t work. Check with your neighborhood fire department for help if you need smoke detectors/alarms
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Never smoke or allow others to smoke near where oxygen is stored or being used if you have oxygen in your home
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Keep matches and lighters away from where children could see or reach them
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Never smoke cigarettes if you are drowsy, have taken pain medication or are resting in bed
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Plan your escape route from different places in your home. Agree on a spot where everyone will meet after getting out of the house
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Keep a fire extinguisher (in good working order) in the kitchen and any other area where a fire could happen, like the basement
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If someone is on fire—stop, drop and roll
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If there is a fire in your home, first get everyone out. Then call 911 or the fire department immediately
Fall prevention
It’s important to take steps to help prevent falls when you are living with a complex condition. You're more likely to trip or fall if you:
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Lose your balance, feel dizzy, become unsteady on your feet, or have trouble standing or walking
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Notice your legs or feet feel numb or weak
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Notice any changes in your eye sight, or have trouble seeing things clearly
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Take medications that make you feel sleepy, “shaky” on your feet, weak, dizzy or dehydrated
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Have other conditions that make you weak or more likely to fall (like having to go to the bathroom quickly)
Talk to your doctor if you notice any of the warning signs. Use a cane or walker if your doctor tells you to. You should make your home safer, to protect you from tripping or falling. Here are some things you can do:
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Make sure you have rails to hold onto when going up and down the stairs
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Install grab bars in the bathroom near the toilet and shower/bath
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Remove clutter from the floor
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Make sure pathways between rooms are clear and well lit
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Make sure there is bright lighting throughout your house, especially at the top and bottom of your stairs; use a night-light
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Fasten throw rugs down or remove them
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Cover or remove sharp corners from beds, hallways and other pathways
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Coil or remove cords
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Walk carefully around pets to prevent tripping
If you have fallen, let your doctor and Coram nurse know.
Medical emergency plan
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Know when to call 911 or emergency medical transportation (ambulance). And give your Coram team the phone number, with area code, for your local rescue squad
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Check to be sure that pump alarms can be heard. Contact your us if you can’t hear them.
Sources
1. 10 Tips for Oxygen Safety in the Home – Inogen – https://www.inogen.com/blog/10-home-oxygen-safety-tips, accessed August 23, 2019.
2. Home Fire Safety – American Red Cross – http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire, accessed August 23, 2019.
3. National Council on Aging, Falls Prevention Conversation Guide for Caregivers, https://www.ncoa.org/resources/falls-prevention-conversation-guide-caregivers, accessed August 23, 2019.
This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Talk to your doctor or health care provider about your medical condition and prior to starting any new treatment. Coram assumes no liability whatsoever for the information provided or for any diagnosis or treatment made as a result.
Your privacy is important to us. Our employees are trained regarding the appropriate way to handle your private health information