"Patient safety is something I take very seriously and make every effort to promote both in the clinic and when doing home evaluations. During my apprenticeship, I realized the extensive amount of patient education that is regularly required on a variety of topics. We often forget that patients aren't as knowledgeable about medication use and side effects like dizziness, trip hazards in the home, the best technique of how to get out of a recliner after a stroke, the use of adaptive equipment, etc. Taking the time to educate patients and to reinforce that information reduces the risk of accident or injury and improves outcomes."

"I have a lot of experience conducting fall risk assessments in patients' homes. In these assessments, I'm helping identify and remove clutter, excess furniture, and throw rugs that could be trip hazards. I'm also looking for opportunities to increase the patient's safety, like installing handrails in the shower, on staircases, and at the bedside. If a patient has stability issues or limited mobility, I also make recommendations for bedside commodes, shower benches, raised toilet seats, and electric recliners. Lighting is also important throughout the house, so I help identify areas where nightlights or other improvements can be made to ensure safety."