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Someone becomes extremely unwell
Consumer’s partner
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All NSWHP collection staff should be trained in basic CPR, including how to lay a person down. Here are several things we must do in a hospital setting:
• If there is active chest pain, send straight to the Emergency Department (ED) • Contact a next of kin or family member and stay with the person • Use the code blue button or phone number • Notify the Nurse Unit Manager (NUM).
In a community setting or in someone’s home:
• Ring an ambulance if there are serious concerns (such as breathing difficulties, chest pain, unconsciousness or sudden numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg) • Use your duress alarm and follow your emergency procedures • Contact a next of kin or family member and stay with the person.
It is important to note that if the duress alarm is not answered or you cannot get through to someone and you want to ring emergency services, ring. Do not hesitate or delay and do not fear any repercussions if the person is not as unwell as you observed.
What helps
Knowing your emergency procedures. Ensure you know, and follow, your local procedures available in the emergency flipchart. Reading the situation. Assess the situation - the patient, the surroundings and what needs to occur to help the patient in need.
Responding without delay. Do not hesitate to help the patient, follow your local emergency procedures and/or contact emergency services.
Remaining calm. Being calm will help you rationally assess the situation and better help the patient.
Make the patient comfortable, providing privacy where possible.
What hinders
Slow or delayed response rate. Not reacting promptly could cause further complications for the patient.
Leaving the patient alone. Stay with the patient if they become extremely unwell while in your collection space.
Not enacting the emergency procedures that need to
be followed. This could delay required assistance for the consumer.
