Responding to a resident accident
Imagine this scenario: A 86-year-old resident has just fallen down two flights of stairs after wandering into your back hall staff stairway. The resident was managed to push their call button but is otherwise maimed from their fall. Unfortunately, the call system is showing they are in their room, yet when staff responds they are not there. Does your staff know what to do? Are they prepared to respond to an emergency like this or something even worse? Therefore, the West Virginia OHFLAC has mandated that there are policies and procedures in place to ensure staff is prepared in the event of a resident emergency. For more information as to what is required check out the following regulation:
6.5. Accident, Illness, and Major Incident Procedures.
6.5.1. The licensee shall have readily available at all times a standard first-aid kit, or its equivalent, to provide emergency aid for commonly occurring household injuries. (Class III)
6.5.2. When a resident has an illness or accident that results in an injury or a resident complaint, the staff shall contact an appropriately licensed health care professional to assess the severity and cause of the illness or accident, advise of the treatment needed to be related to the accident or illness, and record actions taken in the resident’s record. If the resident needs emergency assistance, the staff on duty shall first obtain the necessary assistance. (Class I)
6.5.3. Staff shall monitor and document the resident’s condition at least once every eight hours for a period of 24 hours following the accident or the onset of the illness, more frequently if specified by the licensed health care professional, or at least every four hours if the resident suffers from Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia and cannot communicate his or her condition or needs. (Class II)
6.5.4. When a major incident or any significant change in the resident’s condition occurs, the staff shall promptly notify the resident’s physician or other appropriately licensed health care professional, such as emergency medical personnel, and the responsible party or next of kin, and document this notification in the resident’s record. (Class I)
6.5.5. If an epidemic occurs or reportable disease is diagnosed, the licensee shall comply with the recommendations of the local public health authority in handling and reporting it. (Class I)
Top Takeaways:
- 5.3. Staff shall monitor and document the resident’s condition at least once every eight hours for a period of 24 hours following the accident or the onset of the illness, more frequently if specified by the licensed health care professional, or at least every four hours if the resident suffers from Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia and cannot communicate his or her condition or needs. (Class II)
In the event of a resident emergency, you should monitor them on a frequent basis to ensure there are no further injuries or damages sustained from the emergency. Document the observation of the resident in their medical chart.