Care Homes Health & Safety Bulletin – October 2014

Scalding Fatality

The Health & Safety Executive recently reported a prosecution of a care home operator following the death of an elderly service user who suffered scalds after being lowered into a hot bath. The full details of the case can be seen by following the link below.

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/elderly-woman-died-after-suffering-burns-in-nursing-homebath/? ebul=hsegen&cr=15/29-sep-14

A few simple measures could have avoided this tragic case.

• Thermometers should be present at each bath and shower.
  
• Water temperatures should be checked and recorded prior to the service user entering the water.
  
• Care workers should be trained in the safety procedures regarding baths and showers.
  
• Thermostatic mixing valves should be set to keep maximum temperatures below the guidance limits and the actual water temperatures should be checked monthly.
  
• Audit the procedures for bathing service users, the water temperature records kept and staff training records.

Further detailed guidance can be found in the documents below:-

Managing the risks from hot water and surfaces in health and social care – HSE

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsis6.pdf

Controlling Scalding Risks from Bathing and Showering – UKHCA

http://www.ukhca.co.uk/pdfs/BathingShowering.pdf

Ashes Associates October 2014