For non-medical but urgent situations, staff members who discover the situation should promptly report it to the housing manager and/or maintenance staff. Examples of non-medical urgent situations may include water leaks or malfunctioning appliances. Reporting these issues allows the appropriate personnel to address and resolve the situation in a timely manner. Staff members should provide clear and detailed information regarding the urgency and nature of the problem to ensure that it receives prompt attention and appropriate action can be taken. Effective communication between staff and the housing management team is crucial for maintaining a safe and functional living environment for the residents.
Following an emergency, the Registered Nurse (RN) takes the following actions:
a. Contacts the Common Entry Point immediately (no later than 24 hours) if the incident is reportable under the Vulnerable Adult Act and, if appropriate, conducts an internal investigation:
If the emergency incident meets the criteria for reporting under the Vulnerable Adult Act, the RN promptly contacts the Common Entry Point as required by law.
Additionally, if necessary, the RN initiates an internal investigation to gather more information about the incident and assess any potential gaps in care or protocols.
b. Completes an incident report as soon as possible:
The RN fills out an incident report detailing the circumstances, timeline, and relevant information related to the emergency incident.
The incident report serves as an official documentation of the event and is important for record-keeping and future reference.
c. Conducts appropriate follow-up with the resident, resident’s representative, physician, case manager, or others as appropriate:
The RN engages in communication with the resident and their representative to discuss the incident, address any concerns, and provide necessary support.
The RN also coordinates with the resident’s physician, case manager, or other involved parties to ensure comprehensive follow-up and appropriate adjustments to the care plan.
d. Re-assesses the resident and changes the resident’s care plan and service plan as needed following the incident:
The RN conducts a thorough re-assessment of the resident’s condition, taking into account the impact of the emergency incident.
Based on the assessment findings and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, the RN updates the resident’s care plan and service plan to address any changes or additional needs resulting from the incident.
It is essential to ensure that the resident receives appropriate care and support to promote their recovery and overall well-being.
By carrying out these actions, the RN ensures proper reporting, investigation, documentation, follow-up, and necessary adjustments to the resident’s care and service plans following an emergency incident.
Calmly state the following information to the dispatcher:
This is a medical emergency.
Provide the phone number from which you are calling.
Give the address of the premises and any special directions for entering.
Describe what you have observed and the resident’s condition, including any known details of what happened.
Provide your name.
Follow the directions of the 911 dispatcher, which may include instructions such as providing CPR (if the resident does not have a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order) or performing other tasks. It is important to follow the specific protocols and policies of your agency.
Stay on the phone with the dispatcher until they advise you to disconnect the call.
Locate Provider Orders Relating to Emergencies and Advance Directives of Resident: a. As quickly as reasonably possible during a medical emergency, staff should locate and retrieve all relevant provider orders for emergency situations from the resident’s chart. This includes orders such as Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), DNR (Do-Not-Resuscitate) orders, etc. b. Additionally, search for any advance directives, such as a healthcare directive, in the resident’s chart. c. Show any found documents to the emergency responders for their reference.
Assisting Resident During and Following a 911 Call: a. Wait for the emergency responders to arrive and meet them at the door if possible. b. Continuously follow the directions provided by the 911 operator. c. Stay with the resident and provide reassurance. If the resident appears to have been a victim of a crime, take measures to protect the resident without tampering with potential evidence. d. Call the on-call nurse and the resident’s emergency contact person and/or representative as soon as possible. The RN will notify others as appropriate, such as the resident’s physician. e. Prepare the resident’s emergency information, including copies of any POLST or DNR orders and advance directives, to hand over to the emergency responders. f. Locate the resident’s glasses, hearing aids, or other essential items and place them in a bag to be taken with the resident if they are transported to the hospital. g. If the resident is taken to the hospital, secure and lock the resident’s home/apartment. Only open the home/apartment for the resident’s representative or local law enforcement. No items, except burial clothing for the deceased, should be removed at this time.
Following these procedures ensures effective communication with emergency services, prepares essential documents, and provides necessary support to the resident during and following a 911 call.
Significant adverse emergency situations that may require an immediate 911 call include, but are not limited to:
a. Difficulty breathing or stopped breathing. b. Absence of pulse. c. Severe bleeding. d. Chest, neck, jaw, or arm pain suggestive of a heart attack. e. Deteriorating unconsciousness or loss of consciousness. f. Suspected fracture. g. Severe burns. h. Inability to move one or more limbs. i. Seizure activity. j. Abnormal body temperature conditions:
Hypothermia (below normal body temperature).
Hyperthermia (well above normal body temperature). k. Suspected poisoning. l. Diabetic emergency. m. Suspected stroke. n. Choking. o. Diarrhea with bright red blood. p. Involvement in an incident related to suspected criminal conduct, such as assault, illegal drug use, rape, theft, etc. q. Injuries resulting from suspected criminal conduct, such as assault, illegal drug use, rape, etc.
It is crucial for staff members to recognize these emergency situations and promptly call 911 for immediate medical assistance. These situations indicate a high level of urgency and require professional medical intervention as soon as possible to ensure the resident’s well-being and safety.
In the event of an emergency involving a resident, any staff member who discovers the emergency should immediately contact the on-site Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
The staff should also notify and request assistance from other staff members to address the emergency effectively.
Emergency contact numbers, including cell phone or pager numbers for the RN, on-call nurses, and other staff, are posted at a designated location within the facility.
These contact numbers are regularly updated to ensure accuracy and prompt communication during emergencies.
Call 911 if a Significant Adverse Emergency Situation Exists:
If no nurse is immediately available on site, staff members are instructed to promptly call 911 when significant adverse emergency situations are observed.
If an RN or LPN is present at the facility, they will assess the resident’s situation and make a judgment regarding the necessity of contacting emergency services.
When the situation warrants immediate medical attention and there is no nurse available, staff members should not hesitate to call 911 to ensure the resident receives the required emergency care.
Prompt and appropriate communication in emergencies is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents. The facility has established clear protocols for contacting the appropriate medical personnel based on the severity of the situation and the availability of nursing staff on site.
In case of a telephone, cell phone, or internet outage, the facility should make alternative arrangements for communication. The radio should be tuned in to a specific station that broadcasts emergency information. Here are the details for MSP:
Radio Station:
Call Letters: KEC65
Frequency: 162.55
If the phone system fails, the following communication methods should be utilized:
Cell Phone:
Use cell phones to communicate with the necessary contacts.
Ensure cell phones are charged and have sufficient battery life.
Contact relevant personnel or emergency services using the stored phone numbers.
Please note that in the event of a widespread emergency, cellular networks may become congested or unavailable. In such cases, it is important to rely on the designated radio station for receiving important updates and instructions.
Residents in this priority level require uninterrupted services due to the critical nature of their condition. The following criteria define residents in this level:
Residents Requiring Life-Sustaining Equipment:
These residents rely on life-sustaining medical devices such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, or cardiac monitors.
It is essential to ensure continuous power supply and equipment functionality to prevent a life-threatening situation.
Immediate action must be taken in case of equipment malfunction or power outage.
Residents on Life-Saving Medications:
These residents are dependent on medications that are crucial for their well-being and stability.
Failure to administer these medications on time may lead to severe health deterioration or inpatient admission.
Strict adherence to medication schedules and availability of an adequate supply of medications are essential.
Unstable Residents:
Residents in this category have a highly unstable medical condition that requires constant monitoring and care.
Any interruption in services may result in a rapid deterioration of their health or exacerbation of symptoms.
Immediate response and continuous monitoring are necessary to address any emergent medical needs.
Residents in Need of 24/7 Care:
These residents require continuous supervision and assistance due to their vulnerability or functional limitations.
Their safety and well-being heavily rely on the presence and availability of care staff at all times.
In the event of a disaster or emergency, these residents should not be left unattended, and appropriate measures must be taken to ensure their safety.
It is crucial to prioritize these residents and have contingency plans in place to handle any potential emergencies or service interruptions to minimize the risks to their health and well-being.
Your list of contacts must be specific to your facility. The list should include the following:
Administrative:
Name: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Administrative Emergency:
Name: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Registered Nurse:
Name: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Incident Commander:
Name: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Backup Incident Commander:
Name: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Alternate Agency:
Name: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Electric Company:
Name: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Gas Company:
Name: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Water Provider:
Name: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Internet Service Provider:
Name: [Name]
Phone: [Phone Number]
Email: [Email Address]
Please note that this is a sample contact list, and you should replace the placeholders ([Name], [Phone Number], [Email Address]) with the actual contact information for your facility. Additionally, you can add more specific contacts as per your facility’s requirements.
The agency will take necessary safety measures to protect both residents and staff during a winter storm, which may involve blizzards, heavy snowfall, freezing rain, ice storms, or sleet.
Immediate notification to the Assisted Living Director and Maintenance Supervisor is required in the event of a known water shortage.
The agency will make all possible efforts to determine the cause of the water disruption and the expected duration of the outage.
During an emergency, Food Service staff will provide residents with emergency meals and juice or other available beverages.
In the event of a water shortage, kitchen staff may use hot water from the hot water tanks for cooking purposes.
Disposable dishes and utensils may be used during water shortages.
The agency will bring in water as needed for necessary circumstances. Residents are asked to use water conservatively during such times.
If the water shortage is prolonged and the care of residents is compromised, the Assisted Living Director will take appropriate emergency measures to ensure proper care.
Alternate housing or arrangements for bringing in water will be made if necessary until the problem is resolved.
This is a comprehensive plan for responding to severe weather conditions or tornadoes to ensure the safety of all residents and staff in the facility. Here are the key points of the plan:
Severe Weather/Tornado Watch:
Staff should be aware of the weather conditions and be ready to respond.
Account for all residents and request those outside to come indoors.
Explain the situation to all residents.
Turn the TV to a local channel for status updates.
Close all windows and blinds in common areas and resident rooms.
Make sure flashlights are in working condition and have one with you at all times along with a portable phone.
Serve the meal on paper products if a watch is occurring over a meal.
Severe Weather/Tornado Warning (Sirens are Going Off):
Instruct residents to take cover in their bathrooms, storerooms, or in a corner of their room away from windows.
Residents should bring a pillow and blanket to cover their head and sit with their backs to the wall.
Keep residents up to date on what is going on and re-assure them.
If damage has occurred following severe weather, call 911 for assistance with injuries or transportation to the ER, notify maintenance/caretaker, call Supervisor/Manager, and notify all family members as needed with an update.
In case of severe weather, The agency’s staff will take responsibility for alerting, safeguarding, and ensuring the safety of residents and guests. The agency will have a notification system in place to receive alerts about severe weather, which may include a weather radio, weather app, or other similar device or application.
Any prospective assisted living facility seeking a license and undergoing new construction may use the construction requirements that were in effect at the time they submitted their complete building permit application, provided that the application was submitted before July 31, 2021.
If the facility is licensed for dementia care and has a secured dementia unit, it must comply with the Healthcare (limited care) chapter of the 2018 edition of the NFPA Life Safety Code instead of the Residential Board and Occupancies chapter.
All assisted living facilities with six or more residents must comply with the Residential Board and Occupancies Chapter of the 2018 edition of the NFPA Life Safety Code, if they meet one of the following criteria:
They were granted a provisional assisted living license or provisional assisted living with dementia care license after August 1, 2021.
The Authority Having Jurisdiction determines that a legacy assisted living facility’s building poses a specific hazard to life.
The agency will take all necessary precautions and preventive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents during the hot and humid summer months.
The agency aims to develop an effective and compliant Emergency Preparedness Plan that includes the following components:
Identification of the location and number of bedrooms/sleeping rooms
Employee procedures in the event of a fire or similar emergency
Fire protection procedures for the safety of residents
Procedures for resident movement, evacuation, or relocation during a fire or similar emergency, including identification of unique or unusual resident needs for movement or evacuation
Training of all employees on the fire safety and evacuation plans upon hire and at least twice per year thereafter
Availability of fire safety and evacuation plans within the facility at all times
Availability of evacuation training for residents at least once per year
Conduct of fire/evacuation drills for staff six times per year, with two drills per shift every-other month. Evacuation of residents is not mandatory, nor is the activation of the alarm system. Documentation of drills is required.
