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Medical Emergencies, Changes in Condition, and Death in the Home

Sets what staff do in a medical emergency (call 911 first, CPR unless a valid do not resuscitate order is present, stay with the client, call the office), how they handle a do not resuscitate order, how they report changes in condition that are not emergencies, what to do when a client does not answer the door, and what to do when a client is unresponsive or appears to have died, including the duty to report certain deaths to the medical examiner or law enforcement and to leave the scene undisturbed.

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About this policy
Policy number
FL-HC-SAF-02
Version
1.0
Main rule
Rule 59A-8.0095(5)(c)7, F.A.C.
Library
Florida home care · 50 policies
Category
Safeguarding
Sections
20

In short

  • In an emergency, call 911 first. Stay with the client until help arrives, then call the office.
  • If the client is not breathing, start CPR if you are trained, unless a valid do not resuscitate order (DNRO) is present.
  • Know where the client's DNRO is kept and give it to the paramedics.
  • Report any change in the client to the RN or your supervisor before you leave the visit.
  • You cannot decide that a client has died. Always call 911 and do not move the body or anything near it.

What's inside

20 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.

Full text with a package
  • Terms of Reference
  • 1. Purpose
  • 2. Scope
  • 3. Definitions
  • 4. Policy Statement (Rule 59A-8.0095(5)(c)7, F.A.C.)
  • 5. Recognizing an Emergency
  • 6. What to Do in a Medical Emergency
  • 7. CPR and Do Not Resuscitate Orders
  • 8. Changes in Condition That Are Not Emergencies
  • 9. When the Client Does Not Answer the Door
  • 10. Unresponsive Client or Apparent Death
  • 11. Emergency Information in the Home
  • 12. After an Emergency or a Death
  • 13. Responsibilities
  • 14. Records and Compliance Monitoring
  • 15. Staff Training
  • 16. References
  • 17. Related Policies and Forms
  • 18. Approval
  • 19. Revision History

An inspector may ask

  • What does your aide do if she finds the client not breathing?
  • Where is this client's DNRO kept, and how do staff know about it?

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