Aged Care Facilities In Emergencies

How does an Aged Care facility deal with emergencies? 

An emergency can be a stressful and potentially life-threatening situation, especially for the elderly living in an aged care facility. It’s essential for staff to be prepared for emergencies and to know what to do in such situations. Have you ever thought about how aged care facilities deal with emergencies and keep their residents safe?

Emergency situations can arise from a variety of causes, including medical emergencies, fire, severe weather conditions, power outages, and other major events and disasters. When an emergency happens in an aged care facility, staff members must take swift action to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

Training

The first step in responding to an emergency is to identify the nature of the problem and its scope. Staff members should be trained to recognise the signs of an emergency and know how to respond appropriately. They should have access to emergency response plans and procedures that are tailored to the specific needs of the facility and its residents. If you work in an aged care facility and would like more information about the appropriate training and procedures, click here, or get in touch with our team directly by calling 1300 831 694.

Notify Authorities

Once an emergency has been identified, the next step is to notify the appropriate personnel and authorities. This may include calling emergency services such as the ambulance, police or fire brigade, depending on the nature of the emergency. Staff members should also notify the facility’s management and the residents’ families and loved ones.

Types of Emergencies

In the event of a medical emergency, staff members should administer first aid and any necessary medication as directed by the resident’s Doctor. If the situation requires hospitalisation, staff members should arrange for transportation to the hospital and notify the resident’s family and loved ones.

In the case of a fire or other significant emergency, staff members should evacuate the facility according to the emergency response plan. This may involve moving residents to a safe area within the facility or evacuating them to an alternative location if the structural integrity of the building is fundamentally at risk. Staff members should be trained to assist residents who require mobility aids or have other special needs.

In the event of severe weather conditions or power outages, staff members should ensure that residents have access to adequate food, water, and other necessities. They should also monitor the situation and take steps to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. Power outages in extreme weather events can be dangerous to older residents. For example if it is extremely hot and there is no air-conditioning, an elderly person can become quite ill as they cannot regulate their body heat as they once could. Significant overheating to a person can cause substantial injury to the brain and other vital organs. Staff should ensure residents are kept as comfortable as possible.

Don’t forget to Debrief!

After the emergency has been resolved, staff members should conduct a debriefing session to review the response and identify any areas that need improvement. This can help to ensure that the facility is better prepared for future emergencies.

In conclusion, emergencies can happen at any time, and it’s essential to be prepared to respond to them quickly and effectively. Aged care facilities should have well-defined emergency response plans and procedures in place, and staff members should be trained to respond to emergencies appropriately. By working together and following established procedures, aged care facilities can help to ensure the safety and well-being of their residents in emergency situations.