How prepared are you and your staff for an emergency? Do you have a solid plan for your patients?
Anything that impacts service for your patients should be addressed in your plan
— ACHC corporate surveyor Cynthia Gray breaks it down: What to do when nature wreaks havoc on the supply line for oxygen-dependent patients (as recently published in the August edition of AARC Times)
By Cynthia Gray, BS, RRT-RPFT
“Providing oxygen tanks for a short amount of time is reasonable. Most home medical equipment companies provide the patient with three times the maximum response time. When a power outage is extended to days, weeks, or even months, alternative plans must be initiated. RTs can be a key resource for patients if that should occur. Patients and their caregivers can plan ahead and be prepared for alternative living arrangements if an extended outage is a possibility.
… In an emergency, a documented plan is easier to follow than trying to remember what was discussed.
… RTs have a great opportunity to help patients understand that early action is imperative. If your institution is alerted about an impending disaster, act early.”
- Read the full article at http://go.achc.org/AARC_Article
