Nursing Home #1 Disaster Planning Document
Fire Policy & Procedure
Purpose: The primary purpose of the Fire Policy and Procedure is to provide a course of action
for all personnel to follow in the event of a fire.
Procedure:
R - Rescue anyone in immediate danger.
A - Alert other staff members of the fire and location over the intercom
system. Pull the nearest fire alarm. The Person in Charge shall contact the fire
department by calling 911.
C - Contain the fire. Close all doors and windows adjacent to the fire. Close
all fire doors. Shut off all fans, ventilators and air conditioners, as these will feed
the fire and spread smoke throughout the building.
E - Extinguish if the fire is small. The extinguisher should be aimed low
at the base of the fire, and move slowly upward with a sweeping motion.
- Never aim high at
the middle or top of the flames as this will cause the fire to spread.
- If you cannot
extinguish the fire, evacuate the building immediately.
Special Note: The most common cause of death in a fire is smoke, and not the
flames. Keep low to the floor and avoid inhaling too much smoke.
Duties of Personnel:
Person In Charge:
-
Call the fire department at 9-1-1. Give exact location of the fire and its extent.
-
Call the Administrator.
-
Assist with residents if evacuation is necessary.
-
Assign a staff member to meet the fire department in order to direct them to the fire.
Assign a staff member to keep a roster of residents if evacuation is necessary.
Assign a staff member to answer the telephone and relay messages and instructions.
Nursing, Dietary, and Housekeeping/Laundry Personnel:
-
Remove residents from immediate danger.
-
Close all doors and windows.
-
Turn off fans, ventilators, air conditioners, and other equipment.
-
Stay close to residents to provide reassurance and provide comfort measures.
-
Make sure fire exits are clear.
Maintenance Personnel:
-
Go directly to scene of fire, taking extra fire extinguishers.
-
Check to be sure that all ventilating or blower equipment is shut off.
-
Once fire is over, care for all fire extinguishers.
Administrator:
-
Call the fire department if not already done.
-
Coordinate staff movement for highest efficiency.
-
Assist with resident movement in coordination with charge nurse.
-
Delegate responsibility for the movement of records as deemed necessary.
-
Check with department heads in the event of evacuation to determine that all staff and
residents are out of the building.
Evacuation Procedures
Depending on the location of the fire, residents may be evacuated to another portion of
the building, rather than total facility evacuation. However, in the event that a partial
or complete evacuation of the facility becomes necessary, the following procedure shall be
followed:
-
The shift charge nurse shall immediately contact the Administrator, Maintenance
Director, and Director of Nursing, if they are not yet present.
-
Once the Administrator, Director of Nursing, or Maintenance Director arrives and
determines that the situation requires evacuation, the facility call tree shall be put
into effect in order to obtain available persons to evacuate the residents to safety.
-
Administrator contacts: Medical Records and Business Office personnel
-
Director of Nursing contacts: Social Worker and Activity Director
-
Maintenance Director contacts: Housekeeping/Laundry Supervisor and Dietary Manager
Once Business Office and Medical Records personnel arrive, they shall contact the Board
of Directors and other off-duty personnel to come and assist with the evacuation.
-
A command center shall be established per the Administrator's direction. This should be in a convenient location
out of the line of danger.
-
Alternate placement for residents must be arranged. The Administrator, or highest
ranking person at scene, shall designate someone to coordinate a shelter.
-
Residents should be evacuated in this order: residents in immediate danger,
nonambulatory or bedridden residents, wheelchair residents, and ambulatory residents.
-
The Administrator, or highest ranking person on scene, shall assign a second person to
coordinate transportation.
-
Once a shelter is arranged, the Commander shall designate a meeting spot outside of the
facility. Residents shall be evacuated from the building in an orderly fashion.
-
Medical Records personnel shall be responsible for tagging and identifying all residents
upon evacuation. They shall also be responsible for ensuring that the residents’
medical records are transported with the resident.
-
Nursing personnel will be responsible for caring for residents. The Charge Nurse shall
be responsible for taking the Med Cart to the meeting spot.
-
Housekeeping and Laundry personnel will be responsible for gathering all linens and
supplies needed for resident care. If possible, attempts should be made to gather resident
clothing also.
-
Dietary personnel will be responsible for gathering food and dietary supplies.
-
The Social Worker will be responsible for contacting family members to notify them of
the disaster and where residents are being transported.
-
The Activities personnel shall be assist wherever needed. The Activities personnel shall
also be responsible for the facility pets.
-
The Business Office Manager shall gather all departmental employee schedules and the
employee roster, as well as other pertinent business office supplies and records.
-
The Administrator, or designated person, shall check all rooms before leaving the
grounds. An "X" should be marked on each door to verify that
the room is empty.
-
Once everyone has been evacuated and all supplies gathered, boarding of residents and
supplies for relocation shall begin in an orderly fashion.
-
The Social Worker shall be responsible for keeping an official roster with names of
residents, staff, board members, and volunteers present at the time of disaster and during
the evacuation. Information to be recorded shall include:
-
name of resident and next of
kin/responsible party
-
shelter transferred to and person accompanying resident
-
medications, med sheet, and chart sent with resident to location of transfer.
Disclaimer: It is important to note that each situation is going to be
different, and that a situation may not allow for the above procedures to be implemented
in this specific order.
At a time of a disaster, it is imperative that the Administrator
be contacted in order to give staff proper direction. This policy and procedure is written
so that there are clear guidelines for providing resident care and ensuring their safety
in the event of a disaster.
Sound judgment and common sense are the best practices in an
emergency. Therefore, the Administrator and charge persons will have to make the best
judgment at that time.
This plan will be in cooperation with the American Red Cross, the County Emergency
Government office, and local Police and County Sheriff's
Departments.
Fire Drill Policy & Procedure
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to establish a procedure for staff to follow when
conducting fire drills. Fire drills are to be conducted on a quarterly basis on each of
the three shifts according to Wisconsin statutes.
In order to meet this requirement, fire
drills are scheduled on a monthly basis.
Procedure:
-
Call Fire Systems at ------; ask for Central Monitoring Station. Tell them we will be
conducting a fire drill. Tell them facility's
account number, password number, and your name.
-
Call County Dispatch at ----- to tell them we will be conducting a fire drill. Tell them
facility name, approximate time, and your name.
-
Remove glass rod from fire alarm pull station FIRST, AND SAVE.
-
Place red fire flag at desired site.
-
When fire is discovered, the pull station alarm should be activated.
-
Notify the charge nurse of location of fire. Charge nurse shall announce over the
intercom. All available staff shall grab the nearest fire extinguisher and go to the
announced location.
-
Follow the RACE procedures as stated in the "Fire Policy and Procedures."
-
Check the Fire Control Panel for the A number and Alarm Zone number.
-
The fire alarm may be silenced by pushing the SILENCE pad. This will silence the
bells, but will continue dialing and notifying Fire Systems of the fire drill.
-
Announce "All Clear" and meet
at the nurses’ station. A discussion of the fire drill shall ensue. A critique of the
drill should be done. Recommendations, concerns should be noted on fire drill report form.
-
Reset the alarm system.
-
Call Fire Systems to notify them that the drill is over.
-
Call County Dispatch to notify them that the drill is over.
-
Complete the fire drill report form and submit to the Administrator.
Severe Weather Policy & Procedure
Purpose: The purpose of a Severe Weather Policy and Procedures is to educate and inform staff
of weather conditions that warrant their attention.
It is the facility’s responsibility to keep the residents and staff
safe at all times. If severe weather strikes, precautions need to be taken to ensure their
safety.
Definitions: Watch -- Means that conditions are favorable for a thunderstorm or
tornado to develop.
Warning -- Means that a thunderstorm or tornado have been sighted. If a siren
sounds, stay inside and take cover.
Procedure:
-
Account for all residents and staff. Make sure everyone is inside.
-
Close all windows and pull all curtains.
-
Keep all residents away from windows.
If there is a tornado warning, further precautions need to be taken:
-
Gather residents in hallways behind fire doors, or in the bathroom. If residents are in
bed, pull the beds into the hallway. If this is not possible, make sure all curtains in
room are pulled, including cubicle curtains.
-
Gather flash lights and radio. Be sure to listen to weather reports for updates. Do
not leave the area until the storm has passed and the warning has lifted.
-
Stay calm and provide reassurance to the residents. Keep them as comfortable as
possible.
Disaster Policy & Procedure
Purpose: The purpose of a Disaster Policy and Procedure is to inform the facility's employees
of the steps that should be taken in the event of a disaster.
The Administrator, or
highest ranking staff person on duty, shall be responsible for declaring a situation a
disaster and active the facility disaster and evacuation policies and procedures.
A disaster may be a fire, tornado strike, gas leak, flood, electrical power outage,
heating failure, explosion, bomb threat, or any other situation that would warrant
evacuation of the facility in order to protect the lives and safety of the facility’s staff and residents.
Procedures:
-
In the event of an emergency, the shift charge nurse shall immediately contact the
Administrator, Maintenance Director, and Director of Nursing.
-
Call 9-1-1 to report the situation.
-
Once the Administrator, Director of Nursing, or Maintenance Director arrives and
determines that the situation requires evacuation, the facility call tree shall be put
into effect in order to obtain available persons to evacuate the residents to safety.
-
Administrator contacts: Medical Records and Business Office personnel
-
Director of Nursing contacts: Social Worker and Activity Director
-
Maintenance Director contacts: Housekeeping/ Laundry Supervisor and Dietary Manager
-
Once Business Office and Medical Records personnel arrive, they shall contact the Board
of Directors and other off-duty personnel to come and assist with the evacuation.
-
A command center shall be established per the Administrator's direction. This should be in a convenient location
out of the line of danger.
-
Alternate placement for residents must be arranged. The Administrator, or highest
ranking person at scene, shall designate someone to coordinate a shelter.
-
The Administrator, or highest ranking person on scene, shall assign a second person to
coordinate transportation.
-
Once a shelter is arranged, the Commander shall designate a meeting spot outside of the
facility. Residents shall be evacuated from the building in an orderly fashion.
-
Medical Records personnel shall be responsible for tagging and identifying all residents
upon evacuation. They shall also be responsible for ensuring that the residents' medical records are transported with the resident.
-
Nursing personnel will be responsible for caring for residents. The Charge Nurse shall
be responsible for taking the Med Cart to the meeting spot.
-
Housekeeping and Laundry personnel will be responsible for gathering all linens and
supplies needed for resident care. If possible, attempts should be made to gather resident
clothing also.
-
Dietary personnel will be responsible for gathering food and dietary supplies.
-
The Social Worker will be responsible for contacting family members to notify them of
the disaster and where residents are being transported.
-
The Activities personnel shall be assist wherever needed. The Activities personnel shall
also be responsible for the facility pets.
-
The Business Office Manager shall gather all departmental employee schedules and the
employee roster, as well as other pertinent business office supplies and records.
-
The Administrator, or designated person, shall check all rooms before leaving the
grounds. An "X" should be marked on each door to verify that the room is empty.
-
Once everyone has been evacuated and all supplies gathered, boarding of residents and
supplies for relocation shall begin in an orderly fashion.
-
The Social Worker shall be responsible for keeping an official roster with names of
residents, staff, board members, and volunteers present at the time of disaster and during
the evacuation.
-
Information to be recorded shall include: name of resident and next of
kin/responsible party; shelter transferred to and person accompanying resident;
medications, med sheet, and chart sent with resident to location of transfer.
Disclaimer: It is important to note that each situation is going to be
different, and that a situation may not allow for the above procedures to be implemented
in this specific order.
At a time of a disaster, it is imperative that the Administrator
be contacted in order to give staff proper direction. This policy and procedure is written
so that there are clear guidelines for providing resident care and ensuring their safety
in the event of a disaster.
Sound judgement and common sense are the best practices in an
emergency. Therefore, the Administrator and charge persons will have to make the best
judgement at that time.
This plan will be in cooperation with the American Red Cross, the County Emergency
Government office, and local Police and County Sheriff’s
Departments.
Loss of Telephone Service Policy
& Procedure
Purpose: In the event that there is a power outage, or other circumstances in which the
facility is out of telephone service, it is important that staff know how to respond in
such a situation. The facility's operation depends on the use of telephone a great deal.
It is important that the nursing personnel are able to communicate with physicians
regarding resident care. It is also important that we be able to make emergency contacts
if need be. The following procedures should provide clear guidelines for staff to follow
if this situation occurs.
Procedures:
-
In the event that telephone service is lost due to outside causes, the telephone company
must be notified immediately.
-
Unplug the fax machine, and plug in the Emergency Phone.
-
If the Emergency Phone does not work, the Maintenance Director, or other designated
person, shall be directed to go to the nearest operating telephone available in order to
report the loss, and as much information concerning the outage as possible.
-
If the telephone service is anticipated to be out for an indefinite period of time, the
shift charge nurse shall contact the local radio station to inform them of the phone
outage so that weather and other major announcements can be relayed to the facility during
the telephone outage.
-
A designated person and vehicle must be ready at all times to depart in an emergency in
order to report any disaster requiring emergency services from the police, fire
department, or ambulance.
Bomb Threat Policy & Procedure
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to inform staff of precautions to be taken in the event
of a bomb threat.
The current national situation of increased bombings, bomb threats, and bomb scares
must be given immediate consideration. In the past, the vast majority of bomb threats were
hoaxes. However, the current trend nationally is that more of the threats are
materializing.
Upon receipt of a bomb threat, it is impossible to know if it is real or a
hoax. Therefore, precautions need to be taken for the safety of our residents and
employees.
Procedure: If you receive a bomb threat over the phone, follow these procedures:
-
Keep the caller on the line as long as possible.
-
Ask the caller to repeat the message.
-
Ask the caller his name.
-
Ask the caller where the bomb is located.
-
Record every word spoken by the person making the call.
-
Record time call was received and terminated.
-
Inform the caller that the building is occupied and the detonation of a bomb could
result in death or serious injury to many innocent people.
-
Complete the bomb threat form, attached, to record the caller's characteristics.
If possible, during the call, try to notify the charge nurse immediately. The charge
nurse shall:
-
Call the Police Department at 9-1-1.
-
Call the Administrator if not present.
-
Organize staff to evacuate residents upon police or administrative order.
Once the Police have arrived:
-
Keys shall be available so that searchers can inspect all rooms. Employee lockers will
be searched. If padlocked, padlock will be cut off.
-
The Administrator or designee shall remain with the Search Commander during the entire
search to provide assistance and counsel during the search.
-
If a suspected bomb is located within the building, the responsibility for investigation
will be that of the law enforcement officials having jurisdiction over such matters.
Emergency Notification
of Administrator
The Business Office Manager during normal business hours, or the Charge Nurse at any
other time shall notify the Administrator. In the following situations, the
Administrator is to be notified immediately, if possible, on a 24-hour basis:
-
Death involving unusual circumstances or family dispute;
-
Emergency requiring immediate services or repair authorization;
-
Fire of any size or nature;
-
Missing resident;
-
Formal Division of Health Inspection or Annual Survey;
-
Urgent resident/family problems;
-
Any situation involving violence by staff or resident.
Absence of Administrator
In the absence of the Administrator from the facility, the Director of Nursing shall be
the designated "Person-in-Charge."
If the Administrator and Director of Nursing are absent from the facility, there shall
be two persons in charge of the facility. The charge nurse on duty shall be in charge of
staff and all resident care delivery. The Business Office Manager shall be in charge of
all business matters.
If the Administrator cannot be reached, a board member shall be contacted. The
President of the Board of Directors should be contacted first. If the President cannot be
reached, contact the Vice-President.
If the Vice-President cannot be reached, the
Secretary shall be notified. If none of the latter persons cannot be reached, attempts
should continue to inform any one of the other board members.
Water Shortage Policy &
Procedure
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure that there will adequate water supply on hand to
supply residents with water for their personal and hygienic needs.
Procedure: If the water supply is suddenly disrupted for any reason, the following steps will be
taken by the person-in-charge.
-
Notify the Administrator and the Maintenance Director immediately.
-
All attempts will be made to determine the cause for water disruption and the probable
length of shut down.
-
The Dietary Department will distribute emergency meals and provide juice and other
beverages that are on hand for resident consumption.
-
The hot water in the hot water tanks will be utilized by kitchen staff for cooking
purposes if necessary.
-
Disposable dishes and utensils may be used during emergencies.
-
If necessary, water will be brought in and dispensed as needed. This water supply
is only for necessary circumstances, and should be used conservatively.
-
If it becomes apparent that a water shortage will last for an undetermined length of
time, the Administrator will order emergency measures to be taken to ensure proper care
for those whose care has been disrupted by lack of water supply. Arrangements will be made
to transfer those residents to the hospital or to other facilities for care.
Electrical Power Outage Policy &
Procedure
Purpose: It is the policy of this facility to provide auxiliary power to designated areas
within the facility to operate life-support equipment should our normal power supply fail.
The facility has an emergency generator that should be automatically activated in the
event of a power outage. The generator operates on natural gas, and as long as the gas
lines are not damaged or disrupted, the generator is capable of providing the facility
with a minimal supply of electricity.
Procedure: In the event of a power outage, the following steps should be followed:
-
Immediately identify any residents that require oxygen concentrators or other life
support equipment. Move the resident to areas supplied with emergency power (outlets
marked with a red "X" on them).
-
Gather all flashlights and other needed supplies. Check on all residents to ensure their
safety. Calm any residents experiencing distress.
-
Unplug the fax machine, and plug in the "Emergency
Phone."
Facility Generator DOES NOT...
Areas Equipped with Emergency Lighting:
-
Front Lobby
-
Hallways
-
Break room
-
Laundry Room
-
Boiler Room
-
Stairways
Missing Resident Policy &
Procedure
Purpose: The purpose of a Missing Resident Policy and Procedure is to ensure that all necessary
steps are taken in the event that a resident wanders away from the facility.
Procedures:
-
Any staff member observing a patient attempting to leave the facility shall with proper
conduct attempt to prevent such departure. Should the attempt fail or a resident is
determined missing on scheduled checks, the following should be done:
-
The charge professional should be notified.
-
All available staff will be directed by the charge professional to systematically search
the entire premises, both inside and outside, patient rooms, bathrooms, closets, kitchen,
basement, lobby, and offices.
Should a facility search prove unsuccessful, the person-in-charge shall carry out the
following steps:
-
Assign available staff to begin neighborhood search. Some staff members should always
remain in the building with residents.
-
Contact the RN on call if none in the building. The Administrator and/or Director of
Nursing should be called if possible.
Should a neighborhood search prove unsuccessful, the person-in-charge shall carry out
these steps:
-
Notify local law enforcement agency via the telephone number 911. Ask for assistance to
locate a wanderer, give them description of the resident.
-
When the authorities have arrived, give them a picture of the resident if available.
-
The authorities will assume command and direction of the search from this point. The
briefing to authorities shall consist of identification and other pertinent information
about the resident that could assist in determining the resident's whereabouts.
-
The family and/or responsible party of the resident shall be notified. Explain what is
being done to find the resident and encourage them to assist if able.
-
All previously contacted persons and organizations shall be notified of the return to
the facility of the resident.
Upon return of the resident to the facility, the director of nursing or
person-in-charge should:
-
Examine the resident for injuries, and contact the attending physician and report
findings and conditions of the resident. Follow orders
-
An incident report shall be written and signed by the charge nurse providing detailed
accounting of the incident in its entirety.
-
The person-in-charge shall be responsible for documenting the incident in the nursing
notes of the resident's chart. All documentation
must be concise and reflect the actual facts as they relate to the incident including:
-
The maintenance personnel are responsible for seeing that alarms are operational for 24
hour service and are checked on a routine basis.
-
In the event of an alarm malfunction, maintenance shall be notified immediately. In
event of the inability to locate maintenance personnel, contact the alarm company.
Winter Storms Safety Precautions
Purpose: The purpose of these winter storm safety precautions is to inform staff of measures that
should be taken during severe winter weather.
The following winter storm safety
precautions have been established for all personnel to follow during blizzards, heavy
snow, freezing rain, ice storms, or sleet.
Precautions:
-
Keep posted on all area weather bulletins and relay to others.
-
Have portable radio available. Make sure extra batteries are available.
-
Be prepared for isolation at the facility.
-
Make sure all emergency equipment and supplies are on hand, or can be readily obtained.
-
Make sure emergency food supplies and equipment are on hand.
-
Make sure emergency supply of water is available.
-
Make sure emergency power supply is operable.
-
Make sure heating system is operable.
-
Have extra blankets available and keep residents as warm as possible.
-
Make sure adequate staff is available.
-
Keep flashlights handy, and extra batteries available.
-
Close drapes on cloudy days and at night.
-
Travel only when necessary, and only during daylight hours. Never travel alone. Travel
only assigned routes.
-
Be prepared to evacuate residents if necessary.
-
Do not make any unnecessary trips outside. If you must venture outside, make sure you
are properly dressed, and fully covered.
-
Avoid overexertion by doing only what is necessary. Cold weather strains the heart.
-
Do not panic; remain calm.
Heat & Humidity Policy
& Procedure
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to provide precautionary and preventative measures for our
residents during the hot and humid summer months. Elderly people are extremely vulnerable
to heat related disorders.
Definitions:
Heat Exhaustion: A disorder resulting from overexposure to heat or to the
sun. Early symptoms are headache and a feeling of weakness and dizziness, usually
accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
There may also be cramps in the muscles of the arms,
legs, or abdomen. The person turns pale and perspires profusely, skin is cool and moist,
pulse and breathing are rapid.
Body temperature remains at a normal level or slightly
below or above. The person may seem confused and may find it difficult to coordinate body
movements.
Heat Stroke: A profound disturbance of the body's heat-regulating mechanism,
caused by prolonged exposure to excessive heat, particularly when there is little or no
circulation of air.
The first symptoms may be headache, dizziness and weakness. Later
symptoms are an extremely high fever and absence of perspiration. Heat stroke may cause
convulsions and sudden loss of consciousness. In extreme cases it may be fatal.
Precautionary Procedures:
-
Keep the air circulating.
-
Draw all shades, blinds and curtains in rooms when exposed to direct sunlight.
-
Remove residents from areas that are exposed to direct sunlight.
-
Keep outdoor activities to a minimum.
-
Check to see that residents are appropriately dressed.
-
Provide ample fluids, and provide as many fluids as the resident will take.
-
Increase the number of baths given.
Last Updated: February 18, 2009 |
