Introduction: Occupational Health a Safety (OH&S) is governed by legislation and policy. In health care, emphasis is placed on infection control, sharps safety and injury prevention. This translates to nursing staff and patients. During review of home dialysis training program, a number of patients revealed they, or their carer, had received a needle stick injury.
This raised questions regarding safety of home patients and carer/s in relation to sharps safety. What is our duty of care in relation to patients and carers’ safety and should we be concerned with OH&S issues in the patients’ home?

Method: As a quality initiative in the continuous quality improvement of self management training, an evaluation of the current training method was required, as well as the patients and carers current practices with needle stick safety. This information would ensure that a central element in keeping patients safe at home is reflected in the training and education we deliver.

Results: Evaluation of patients and carers current status in relation to needle safety revealed:
• A prevalence of needle stick injuries
• Poor knowledge in relation to medical care after receiving a needle stick and in relation to risk

Conclusion: Our current training and education requires enhancement to include further education on needle stick safety and other OH and S concerns. Knowing the past and potential future danger to the patient and carer, training must embrace principles of OH and S and infection control to keep them safe, even outside the clinical setting.