Safety and Emergency Procedures
Everyday safety
Most falls happen during toileting, transferring, and ambulation. Keep the bed low and locked, call light and personal items within reach, floor dry and clutter-free, and non-skid footwear on. Answer call lights promptly. Report frayed cords, loose rails, and broken equipment. Oxygen requires no smoking, no open flame, and no petroleum products. Incident reports document facts, not blame, and are never mentioned in the resident's chart.
Restraints
Restraints are used only with a provider's order, for a defined time, as the least restrictive option, after other measures fail. Never tie a restraint to side rails, never use a sheet as a restraint, and check circulation, skin, and needs at least every 15 minutes with periodic release. Aides do not decide to restrain; wandering and confusion are managed with supervision and activities.
Emergencies
Fire: RACE (rescue, alarm, contain, evacuate/extinguish) then PASS for an extinguisher. Choking: ask if the person can speak; if not, abdominal thrusts (chest thrusts for a very large person or late pregnancy) and call for help. Seizure: protect the head, clear hazards, do not restrain or put anything in the mouth, time it, and turn the person to the side afterward. Stroke: note the time symptoms began and report FAST signs. Shock: lay flat, keep warm, do not give food or drink. Bleeding: gloves, direct pressure, elevate if possible. Fainting: ease to the floor, elevate legs.
Traps
Questions often offer "leave the resident to find help" during a seizure, "restrain the limb," or "give water to someone who is choking." Your own safety comes first - never enter a fire, smoke-filled room, or violent situation without help.
Rule of thumb: in any emergency, call for help loudly while you stay with the resident and do the one safe thing you were trained to do.