POLICY:
It is the policy of New Health Services program to maintain a plan of action for medical emergencies, fire, disaster and causalities in accordance with OBH Code of Regulation 21.290.41. The policy includes:
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Designation of authority and staff assignments
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Plan for evacuation
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Transportation and relocation of patients when necessary
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Supervision of patients after evacuation or relocation
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Patient education in response to fire
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Personnel education and actions regarding medical emergencies and arrangements
RESPONSIBLE STAFF:
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All New Health Services employees
ASSOCIATED/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
PROCEDURE:
In case of medical emergencies staff and patients are to call EMS services provided by the city by contacting the emergency medical services (911). Refer to Emergency Call List for contacting pertinent staff. Director(s), medical and behavioral health staff will educate/inform patients post emergencies. Patients will also sign this policy as part of the intake packet.
NHS program will hold quarterly safety and fire drills incorporating the designation of proper authority amongst staff with their assignments in case of disaster or causality. Fire and safety drills will be held at unexpected times and under varying conditions. At least 50% of the drills will be unannounced. A staff discussion will be held at the following staff meeting to critique the drill and strengthen safety plans. Plan of evacuation will be provided to all staff upon employment and to patients upon acceptance of treatment within the program. Planned evacuation exit strategies are posted throughout the facility in a visible place.
Plan of Evacuation
In case of evacuation, patients and staff will walk out of the front door and across Lincoln Street and wait in the dirt parking lot east of the building for fire trucks and/or other emergency responders. To ensure building has been evacuated, designated staff will check each room for vacancy. Place trash can outside of closed door to identify empty rooms. If the front door is not accessible, patients and staff will walk out of the side door and/or the ESC door as designated by staff. All staff and patients will remain as a group, at minimum, 100 feet from the building to wait for fire trucks or other emergency responders. If exits at both doors are blocked, patients and staff will exit out of a safest open window in a room, office or community area and meet in the parking lot located across Lincoln St.
Supervision of Patients
Supervision of patients after evacuation and relocation will be provided by the clinical and administrative staff available following direct instructions from the Director(s).
Transportation of Patients
Transportation of patients is unnecessary unless medical emergency warrants such evacuation of patients or staff. In these cases, 911 will be called for transportation of patients and/or staff.
Patient Education in Response to Fire
After a fire, patients will be contacted by phone from an NHS staff member and given an update on damage to the building and plan to begin treatment again. An immediate debriefing group will be arranged either at the facility when possible or another designated location. The location will be pre-determined by the Director(s) prior to the patient phone call. Patients will have an opportunity to discuss the fire, any damage to the building and the emotional and physical effect they experienced. Other discussion points will include:
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On-going group dates and times will be arranged during the initial group.
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Patients will also be educated on organization protocols, fire and safety preparedness, organizational readiness for action and any changes in current policies as a result of the fire.
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Patients will be updated on the progress of the building and treatment on a weekly basis by phone and/or email as needed.
Personnel Education and Actions Regarding Medical Emergencies and Arrangements
New Health Services will hold quarterly in-house trainings on the NHS Medical Emergency and Fire procedures. Discussions will include results from the quarterly safety and fire drills and review of any changes in policy and procedure.
Cardiac and/or Respiratory Arrest
All staff are trained in First Aid and Basic Life Support (BLS) Services. In cases of cardiac and/or respiratory arrest staff will initiate First Aid and/or BLS and ensure a phone call is placed to 911 Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Once EMS staff arrive on scene the person in cardiac and/or respiratory arrest will be placed in their care and transferred to the appropriate facility. Staff will document the incident in a Critical Incident Report and notify the Director(s) immediately.
Natural Disasters
In the case of a tornado, hail storm, flash flood warnings, and blizzard conditions, patients and employees to remain in the interior of the building, away from all doors and windows. In the ESC, interior meeting area would be the PACU. On the NHS clinic side, the interior corridor near BH offices will be the meeting area.
Acts of Terrorism
If an active shooter, threat, or violent patient appears in the front waiting room, front office to push panic button underneath the east side of the front desk. The panic button if held for 3 seconds will automatically summon police. As situation allows, staff are notified via slack to stay in rooms or come to front for support.