Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. FURTHER POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO ENSURE PATIENT AND STAFF SAFETY These guidelines must be read and adhered to at all times: Transfers in Bed: To side: If heavy, use 3 persons if available. a) Move patient's legs to side and cross arms over stomach; b) Position your hands; c) On signal "1,2,3 Pull"; as you pull back, shift your weight to rear leg. To head or foot: a) Patient at side of bed, arms crossed; b) Yours arms under; c) Your forward leg is on outside; " 1,2,3 Pull". Pull BACK as your weight shifts to rear leg (avoid twisting). Roll to side: Position patient to have space when turned, then a) Move patient's right arm, put left arm across stomach, left leg crossed over right; b) Helpers alternately grasp shoulder, buttock; c) "1,2,3 Turn". Protect patient from falling. 3-Person lift: (Team practice before lifting). Number of lifters depends on patient's size, disability. TO START: Bed raised to maximum. Cross his arms. Leader supports heavy part. Brace your hips against bed. Grasp patient. READY--" 1,2,3 Pull" him to side of bed. Then "roll" him by pivoting elbows on bed as you pull him to chests. Get set--bend knees more--immediately "Stand". Then "Turn" and "Walk" in step (patient on side held tight against chests). Now bend knees. "Down" onto your elbows. Release. Bed to bed: (with transfer sheet) Have 2 or 3 persons pulling, depending on patient's size. a) Move patient's legs to right, cross arms. b) Grasp sheet with your hips supported against bed. c) Then "1,2,3 Move"--pull patient as you shift your weight to rear leg. NOTE: Patient roller can be used; needs only 2 persons. Proper Illumination: “Adequate lighting” means levels of illumination suitable to tasks or procedures that our staff must perform. a) As a safety measure the Agency will provide to our nurses and aides headlamps that must be used if “adequate lighting” is not assure with available illumination in the patient’s area of services. b) If during perform any procedure or task, the patient’s area is not adequate illuminated, our Nurses, or Aide must use the provided headlamps. The Agency as part of our Educational Programwill provided training in the use of the provided headlamps as applicable. c) Any incident or accident during any procedure performed, must be reported to the Agency’s DON, Clinical Manager within 24 hours, emergency measures to prevent and assure patient safety must be taken, and patient’s physician contacted immediately. Accurate Observation: Conscientious observation means making accurate observation, paying careful attention to the care plan, and procedure that is performed, taking responsibilities for actions, and reporting to all members of the patient’s care team. Our Agency request to all of our field staff to use accurate observations, for example taking accuratemeasurements of vital signs, patient treatment may depend of the accurate measurements of B/P, Pulse, Temperature, etc, also during the perform of any procedures for example foley changes, PEG tube care, dressing changes, etc. Our staff will be oriented Home Health Agency - - Skilled Professional Services D-27