Ensuring Resident Safety in Minnesota’s Unpredictable Weather
Fall in Minnesota is a very bizarre time for weather. One day it can be 70 and the next day it is snowing. The weather here changes so quickly it will be winter before we know it. One of biggest environmental vulnerabilities in Minnesota are blizzards or freezing temperatures. With that in mind, how do we ensure that our residents are safe from these hazards?
In this blog post, we will explore things to keep in mind and steps to take in order to protect residents from these hazards.
Review and Update Your Emergency Preparedness Plan: Annually reviewing your emergency preparedness plan is essential to guarantee its effectiveness. With changing staff and vendors, it's crucial to ensure that all contact information is up to date.
Maintain an Up-to-Date Missing Resident Policy: To address any potential risks, it is important to have an updated missing resident policy in place.
Conduct Missing Resident Drills: Practicing missing resident drills helps your staff become familiar with the procedures and increases their ability to respond efficiently during emergencies.
Perform Elopement Assessments: Every resident should have an elopement assessment done to evaluate their risk.
Implement Measures for Elopement Risks: For residents identified as elopement risks, additional precautions should be in place. Do they need a wander guard or locked unit for safety?
Maintain an Updated EMR System with Resident Photos: Each resident's electronic medical record should contain their current photograph. This visual helps if a resident goes missing.
Regularly Verify the Functionality of Wander Guard Systems: Routine checks should be performed to ensure the Wander Guard System is operating correctly.
Secure Doors and Windows: Doors leading to the outside should lock to prevent exiting. Likewise, windows should be properly secured.
Responding to an Elopement Incident: In the unfortunate event of an elopement remember the following steps:
Implement the Facility's Action Plan: Immediately initiate the facility's Missing Resident action plan.
Maintain a Detailed Timeline: Keep a timeline of events, documenting actions taken, and any information related to the incident.
Notify Appropriate Parties: Contact the local police, the resident's family members, and the resident's physician.
Conduct a Comprehensive Assessment: When the resident is found, perform a thorough assessment to evaluate their physical and emotional well-being.
Follow up with Appropriate Parties: This includes updating the police on the resident's safe recovery, informing the family members about the situation and the actions taken, and consulting with the resident's physician to address any potential medical concerns or necessary adjustments to their care plan.
Conduct a Post-Incident Review: Evaluate the effectiveness of the facility's response, identify any areas for improvement, and implement necessary changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Provide Support and Education: Offer support to the resident and their family members following an elopement incident.
Enhance Security Measures: Use the elopement incident as an opportunity to reassess and strengthen security measures within the nursing home.
Responding to an elopement incident in a nursing home requires a well-prepared and coordinated effort. By following these steps, nursing homes can improve their response to an elopement. With a proactive approach and a commitment to resident safety, nursing homes in Minnesota can create a secure environment even in the face of unpredictable weather.