Emergency Procedures
Terminology
Abbreviation for oxygen
Agitation
Cardiac arrest
Cyanosis
Diabetic Coma
Diaphoresis
Disaster Plan
Terminology #2
Dyspnea
Emergency
Emergency codes
Escape routes
Fire plan
Fire pull box
Head injury
Heimlich maneuver
Terminology #3
Hemorrhage
Insulin shock
Mittens
Oxygen precautions
Pallor
Postural supports
False imprisonment
Respiratory distress
Terminology #4
Respiratory arrest
Soft restraints
Stat
Universal safety signs
Universal choking sign
Unconsciousness
Aspirate
General Measures of safe
environment
Wipe up spills
Never run in halls
Use contents of containers
with proper labels
Identify wet floors
Tag and report broken
equipment
Report unsafe situations
General Measures of Safe
Environment #2
Use 3-pronged plugs
Check wrist band before any task
Use side rails when appropriate
Resident to use handrails when
unstable
Resident to wear non-skid footwear
when ambulatory
Lock wheelchair when transfering
General Measures of Safe
Environment #3
Place signal light within reach
Answer call lights promptly
Use night lights
Refuse to do any task you don’t
know how to do
Know proper operation of
equipment
Keep bed in lowest position
Oxygen Therapy Safety Rules
Oxygen is abbreviated O2
Oxygen is a colorless, odorless,
tasteless gas essential for respiration
Some residents need supplemental
O2
Oxygen is supplied in portable tanks
or through wall outlets
O2 increases risk of fire
Oxygen Therapy Safety Rules #2
Safety Precautions
Place a “no smoking – oxygen in
use” sign on room door and over bed
Smoking is NEVER allowed either by
resident or visitor
Keep O2 tubing open and free of
kinks
Oxygen Therapy Safety Rules #3
Types of O2 Equipment
Portable tanks
Wall outlets
Resident equipment
Oxygen Therapy Safety Rules #4
Nursing Care
Make sure resident wears mask or
cannula at all times
Make sure O2 is turned off if not in
use
Maintain water level in humidifier to
reduce dryness
Check for redness over top of ears
where tubing rests and at nasal
passages
Postural Supports
Protective devices used to prevent
the resident from harming self or
others
Used to prevent residents from:
– Falling out of bed/chair
– Crawling over side rails or end of bed
– Interfering with therapy
– Hurting themselves or others
Postural Supports #2 -Types
Vest or jacket device
Wrist or ankle device
Hand mitt device
Elbow support device
Postural Supports #3
Precautions when applying
postural support devices
Place resident in good body
alignment
Pad bony prominences
Use “quick release” bow-tie knots
Allow some slack for movement
Check for “2 finger” amount of space
Postural Supports #4
Check circulation frequently
Tie support to movable part of bed frame
Remove support and reposition resident
every 2 hours
Offer fluids frequently
Offer bedpan or urinal on regular basis
Apply vest restraint with open area of vest
on the front
Postural Supports #5
Legal implications
Must have a doctor’s order
Resident rights
Unnecessary restraint of resident
could constitute false imprisonment
Postural Supports #6
Psychological implications
Explain to resident and family the
reason for use
Provide reassurance and support to
the resident and family
Resident Distress
Exp: heart attack, stroke, fainting
episode, seizures, diabetic coma,
insulin shock, hemorrhaging…
Signs and symptoms
– Behavioral changes
– Changes in vital signs
– Loss of consciousness
Resident Distress #2
Pallor
Cyanosis
Sweating
Agitation/confusion
New pain in chest, abdomen, head or
extremities
Sudden cessation of breathing
Shortness of breath
Bleeding
Resident Distress #3
Immediate interventions
– Check resident for ABC’s
Open Airway
Check for Breathing
Check Circulation
Resident Distress #4 ]
General rules for emergency
situations
Remain calm
Call for help of licensed nurse
Remain with resident
Intervene at level of competence as
directed by licensed nurse
Reassure the resident
Keep the resident warm
Heimlich Maneuver
Used to relieve obstructed airway
Causes of Airway Obstruction
– Foreign body
– Tongue
– Small objects
– Vomitus
– Dentures
Heimlich Maneuver #2
Signs of choking
Respiratory difficulty
High pitched sounds
Inability to speak of cough
Universal chocking sign
Role During Emergencies
Be prepared
– Know emergency codes
– Know fire and disaster plans
– Know location of fire exit/extinguishers
Call for assistance
Move resident if in immediate
danger
Role During Emergencies #2
Remain calm
Remain with resident
Keep resident comfortable
Evacuate resident to safety according
to facility fire and disaster plan
Role During Emergencies #3
R.A.C.E.
Remove
Activate
Contain
Extinguish
Know and follow specific
facility policies
Ways to help during Emergencies
Stay with the resident
Keep resident comfortable and quiet
Know and use facility/hospital codes
Project confidence
Call for help
Use calm voice
Ways to help during Emergencies
#2
Be sure residents or visitors are
paying attention when giving
instructions
Move families and visitors to a calm
environment when help arrives
Keep family and visitors informed of
resident’s condition
Common Emergency Codes
for facility
Fire
Cardiac arrest
International hospital codes
Disaster codes
Common Emergency Codes #2
Use of emergency call system
Remain calm, do not shout “fire” or
“cardiac arrest”
STAT” means respond at once or
immediately
Activate the emergency medical
system by calling “911”
Common Emergency Codes #3
Local Codes
– Red = Fire
– Blue = Emergency
– Brown = Disaster
– Yellow = Security/Manpower
– Orange = Hazardous Spill
Major Causes Of Fire
Smoking
Sparks from faulty electrical
equipment
Heating systems
Spontaneous ignition
Improper disposal of
rubbish
Fire Prevention
Report frayed electrical cords, smoke
or burning smells
Refrain from using too many
electrical devices on one wall socket
Use 3-prong grounded plugs
Empty waste paper
Supervise residents when smoking
Make sure material in ash trays are
completely extinguished