First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Having staff trained in first aid and CPR can be the difference between life and death. Approximately 400,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest, so the chances that someone in your facility with suffering from this are likely. Training your staff on these principles of live saving techniques increases the comfort of your residents with them knowing there are individuals who can provide basic life-saving measures in the event of an emergency. Check out the following regulations which mandates the training off staff in first aid and CPR issued by Nevada Department of Health and Human Services:
NAC 449.231 First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (NRS 449.0302)
1. Within 30 days after an administrator or caregiver of a residential facility is employed at the facility, the administrator or caregiver must be trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The advanced certificate in first aid and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross or an equivalent certification will be accepted as proof of that training.
2. A first-aid kit must be available at the facility. The first-aid kit must include, without limitation:
(a) A germicide safe for use by humans;
(b) Sterile gauze pads;
(c) Adhesive bandages, rolls of gauze and adhesive tape;
(d) Disposable gloves;
(e) A shield or mask to be used by a person who is administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and
(f) A thermometer or other device that may be used to determine the bodily temperature of a person.
3. Except for first aid in an emergency, no treatment or medication may be administered to a resident without the approval of a physician.
Top Takeaways:
- Within 30 days after an administrator or caregiver of a residential facility is employed at the facility, the administrator or caregiver must be trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Every single care team member must have a CPR certification that was issued within the past two years or must be trained within the 30-day timeframe. You need to have a system in place for tracking when a CPR certification needs to be updated. When the survey team reviews your employee file, they will be looking for this.