5.21 – Hospital/ER procedures

Open Door must immediately respond to emergency medical situations and assist individuals with seeking proper emergency care, if needed.  If emergency care is needed for a life-threatening situation, staff (or nurse) must call 9-1-1 immediately and provide care for life-threatening condition.  Staff do not need any further approval to contact 9-1-1 in emergency situations.

For non-life threatening needs for hospital visits, Open Door staff may transport, if deemed appropriate and is possible.  For ICF, Nursing shall follow the ER protocol evaluations as ordered by Medical Director prior to sending to ER (including, but  not limited to, vital signs, labs, x-rays, other diagnostic testing, etc.) A hospital transfer packet will be compiled by the nurse at ICF (or by Certified DSP staff in waiver settings).  IF applicable, the guardian must be contacted and must provide consent to hospital for treatment. 

For non-life threatening needs for hospital visits, Open Door staff may transport, if deemed appropriate and is possible.  For ICF, Nursing shall follow the ER protocol evaluations as ordered by Medical Director prior to sending to ER (including, but  not limited to, vital signs, labs, x-rays, other diagnostic testing, etc.) A hospital transfer packet will be compiled by the nurse at ICF (or by Certified DSP staff in waiver settings).  IF applicable, the guardian must be contacted and must provide consent to hospital for treatment. 

This packet should include, but is not limited to:

• Client Emergency List- report 001 from Brittco
• Current Physician order sheet or Medication Administration Record
• Reason for sending to hospital/ nursing assessment (if applicable); include on ER communication sheet
• Contact information for the residential setting (for waiver-use the hospital envelope packet) 

Staff will communicate with hospital professionals to ensure all information needed is provided. Staff will ensure that hospital personnel have proper Open Door and guardian contact information for the individual. 

For any hospital or emergency room visit, staff and nurse must Contact the Incident Hotline and write an incident report immediately after provision of care for the incident (refer to 3.00 series policies).

Last Revised: 6/6/22