Poster provided by the AAHA Business Insurance Program Working with Cats and Dogs Safely Do • Place cats with dogs • Place aggressive dogs together • Make sudden moves, loud noises, or threatening gestures • Believe that a docile cat will not bite or scratch • Show fear or aggression • Provoke or torment • Hold a patient’s mouth closed with your hand • Reach into kennel cages without Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Allow inexperienced or poorly trained employees to handle potentially aggressive animals • Wear loose jewelry or articles that may interfere with handling patients • Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Transport the patient from the lobby to the exam room as soon as possible • Use proper restraint techniques at all times • Use chemical restraint when appropriate • Treat all cats and dogs as potential biters • Separate cats and dogs from other animals to avoid anxiety and fearful outbursts • Use appropriate equipment to handle and restrain patients • Be cautious of patients waking from anesthesia– the loss of consciousness may cause behavior changes • Train your staff on cat and dog restraint techniques, behavior, and specific safety methods and protocol • Conduct and document safety training sessions at least quarterly and review specific safety issues • Seek prompt medical attention when someone is injured • Educate clients on the proper use and manufacturer’s guidelines of restraint products • Ask that owners muzzle aggressive dogs before entering the practice and that cats are brought in carriers • Implement an aggressive “Patient Will Bite” Program that records aggressive behavior in the patient’s records • Postpone treatment or refer if adequate restraint is not available to you Don’t Workers’ Compensation Claim Trends AAHA Business Insurance Program P.O. Box 1629 Chicago, IL 60690-1629 Phone: 866-380-AAHA (2242) Fax: 866-381-AAHA Email: [email protected] www.aahainsurance.org Umbrella Liability Special Coverage for Mobile Practitioners ERISA Bonds Workers’ Compensation Employment Practices Liability Commercial Auto Broker and Consultant: Hub International Midwest Limited Hub International Midwest Insurance Agency (CA) Business Property/Liability Flood Safety and Loss Control Resources 25% Fingers 26% Hands 2.8% Wrists 11% Arms 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 5% Multiple Upper Body 6% Multiple Upper Body 21% Face/Eye/Ear 1.1% Head/Skull/Brain 17.9% Head/Skull/Brain 2.5% Face/Eye/Ear <1% Back <1% Chest/Ribs 12.5% Arms 4.8% Wrists 32% Hands 38% Fingers 1% Knees <1% Feet 1% Back <1% Chest/Ribs 3.8% Knees <1% Feet <1% Other <1% Other Experience Level of Injured Workers Cat Injury Locations Dog Injury Locations Cats account for 53% of all bites Workers’ Compensation Statistical Data Provided by The Hartford Employee Job Position for Injuries Involving Cats Employee Job Position for Injuries Involving Dogs Dogs account for 43% of all bites 42% 1-3 Years 3-5 Years 1-3 Months 5-10 Years 3-6 Months 2-4 Weeks Up to 1 Week 10 + Years 1-2 Weeks 6-12 Months 15.9% 9.3% 8.6% 8.4% 7.5% 2.9% 2.5% 1.6% 1.3% 42% of claims involved workers with 1-3 years of experience Technician - 42.6% Veterinarian - 21% Assistant - 18.4% General - 4.9% Groomer - 2.4% Attendant - 1.6% Other - 4.9% Receptionist - 3.9% General - 10% Other - 6.2% Receptionist - 5.7% Groomer - 3.2% Attendant - 1.9% Technician - 37.7% Assistant - 17.8% Veterinarian - 17.1% Almost half (45%) of all claims happened before 12:00 p.m. Overall, technicians claimed the most injuries at 40% followed by veterinarians at 20% Bites and scratches were the most common injuries; however, cats caused 13% more claims than dogs. The most common types of injuries sustained were punctures and lacerations.