Effective Use of IMEP's Emergency Response System (ERS)
1. FORM YOUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (ERT)
We recommend creating a 5-member Emergency Response Team (ERT) per facility of up to 30 people. A 1:6 ratio is a good standard.If you have 60 people, you will form two ERTs of 5 members each. This also applies to teams that are on
8 or 12 hour shifts. There should always be an Emergency Response Team for each shift.
2. SELECT MEMBERS - For your Emergency Response Team with Highest Qualifications
Find serious-minded individuals who can lead a team or perform well within a group. Remind individuals that they will need to perform their duties during a medical emergency, which can be a stressful event.Survey the employee population for persons with the following types of qualifications or training certifications, including but not limited to: First Aid
Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Twinject or EpiPen® use
IV (Intravenous) or IM (Intramuscular) Administration
Assign specific roles for each person - (See the Medical Emergency Plan in your workbook for a description of each team member) Team Leader/Emergency Responder, who may be a Physician, Dentist, Nurse or Safety Officer
Medical Emergency Coordinator
EMS Contact/Emergency Responder
Red E Emergency Action Guide Manager/Emergency Responder
Recorder of Events/Emergency Responder
ERT Substitutes: The Back-Up Buddy System Determine substitutes for each ERT member in the event that one of the current team members is not present at work. Always make sure your Emergency Response Team is accounted for and roles are pre-determined. In some instances, responsibilities may be combined due to limited personnel. Once all ERT members who already have medical certification/training are identified, assign each person a specific role within the Medical Emergency Plan. Each member MUST thoroughly understand and know their role, as well as, how they should interact within the Emergency Response Team during an emergency.
3. RECOMMENDED DOCTOR TRAINING
Training is required in BLS, AED and EpiPen® use, administration of oxygen, as well as, emergency medications via IV or IM route. Any deficiencies within these areas should be corrected by attending any course that teaches proper training. Always verify that certification or training has not expired.Designate a staff member the responsibility of keeping up-to-date records of all staff members.
Stay current with emergency protocols.
An Emergency Medicine Lecture is recommended annually.
4. RECOMMENDED ERT STAFF TRAINING
ERT Staff should have training in BLS and AED usage, the proper use of an EpiPen®, as well as, the administration of oxygen. All staff members should be able to assist trained personnel with the retrieval and administration of any emergency medications. Any deficiencies within these areas should be corrected by attending any course that teaches proper training. One ERT member will need to assume the role of the Medical Emergency Coordinator for the office. Their responsibilities will include the following: Evaluate Emergency Drug Kit - verify no medications are expired.Assess daily amount of oxygen in the office tank room, as well as, in the portable "e" cylinders.
Verify current licensing/certification for all doctors and staff - notify individuals that are nearing expiration so proper updates can be arranged.
Office Mock Drills - Schedule monthly emergency drills with all members present.
Office Medical Emergency Plan - Prompt team members to review their specific roles.
Check AED for proper functioning at a weekly minimum.
Contact local EMS and determine the number of minutes it would take for them to arrive at your office. Locate best route for EMS personnel to navigate through your office if an emergency were to occur.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHT OF CARE REFUSAL
ERT Staff with training in BLS and AED usage, the proper use of an EpiPen®, the administration of oxygen and other emergency medicine procedures, have a duty to provide the level of care for which they are trained staff with specific training have a legal responsibility to act in a way that reasonable trained persons would act in an emergency situation although the higher care level of an EMS rescuer, nurse, physician or other professional is not expected.A person who is ill or injured has the right to refuse care. If the victim is responsive, the caregiver should make an introduction of himself or herself before touching the victim. EX: "My name is John Doe and I am trained in BLS/AED. May I help you?" If the victim agrees, give first aid.
If the victim refuses, call 911, and stay with the victim until medical rescuers arrive.
If the victim is confused or cannot answer, assume that he/she would want your help.
6. IMEP's EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM (ERS) CENTER: THE ALL-IN-ONE LOCATION SOLUTION
A.IMEP's Emergency Response System Center, should be visible and accessible by all members in a central location within the office.B. The components should be: IMEP's Emegency Response System (Action Guide) in wire rack
NOTE: The Action Guide should never be removed from the wire rack except during emergencies.
Emergency Drug Kit
AED
Portable oxygen with attachable breathing apparatus
Blood pressure monitor with pulse oximeter on mobile stand
Medical Emergency Plan - Specific to the Facility/Floor/Building
Fire Extinguisher
7.EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM (ACTION GUIDES) AND WORKBOOKS
One Emergency Response System (Action Guide) in-rack display should be allocated for every 6,000 square feet in a building or floor of a building. Buildings with multiple floors should have one per floor per 6,000 square feet. A 5-floor building with 12,000 square feet per floor should have 10 Emergency Response Systems (Action Guides) on wire racks. 12,000 sq. feet = 2 Medical Emergency Books (1 per 6,000 sq. ft.) x 5 floors = 10 Medical Emergency Books and wire racks. It is recommended that each doctor, nurse, hygienist, assistant be supplied with their own Emergency Response System(Action Guide) for personal study and reinforcement. IMEP's Emergency Response System (Action Guide) in the wire rack located within the Emergency Response System Center should NEVER be removed except during a medical emergency.All other team members/staff who do not receive an Emergency Response System (Action Guide), should receive their own Workbook for individual study and reference.
8. EMERGENCY DRUG KIT MAINTENANCE
Review Emergency Drug Section in the Workbook for an overview of emergency medications.Verify that medications in the kit are within expiration date.
Know the action of every medication within your kit and what role they play in an emergency.
The Emergency Drug Kit* should be located in the designated Emergency Response System Center within the office.
Its location should be known at all times by every member in the office.
* There are several commercial Emergency Drug Kits available on the market. Whether you develop your own kit or purchase one, it is important to be thoroughly educated on its use.
9. ESSENTIAL EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Review miscellaneous equipment for your office in the Workbook.Equipment must be easily transportable to victim or emergency incident.
An AED is imperative; it is the only treatment for sudden cardiac arrest.
Emergency Equipment should be located within the Emergency Response System Center.
Its highly visible location should be known at all times by every member in the office.
Oxygen: Levels should be checked in your tank room, as well as, portable cylinders daily.
10. MEDICAL EMERGENCY PLAN - SITE SPECIFIC TRAINING
ERT members should fully understand their roles as indicated on the plan.
Should a team member be absent, a trained substitute should fulfill the assigned duties.
Roles should be reinforced monthly by the Medical Emergency Coordinator.
In the event of a medical emergency, team members should be alerted in an organized and controlled manner (i.e., alarm system, paging system, lighting system, etc).
ERT members must recognize and initiate decision to notify EMS and call 911.
EMS Protocol: The ERT team member in contact with the EMS dispatcher should be well prepared when communicating with EMS.
ERT must fill out the Incident Report Form and have it ready to brief EMS Personnel upon arrival.
IMPORTANT PROCEDURAL NOTE: In the event of an emergency, NEVER give both parts of the Emergency Treatment Record to anyone. Keep the top white page as your "File Copy". It should go into your risk management file.
DO NOT LOSE YOUR FILE COPY! - It is your only record of the emergency.
Give the bottom yellow page "EMS Copy" to EMS Personnel ONLY.
11. MOCK DRILLS KEEP SKILLS FRESH
A Mock Drill should be performed regularly each month.Attendance should be mandatory for all ERT members.
All ERT members should take their roles very seriously.
IMEP LOG-ON INSTRUCTIONS To log on and become active, go to our website, www.getrede.com and follow instructions as indicated for "New Member". Upon completion, you will receive email verification that you are registered. IMEP REGISTRATION ONLINE Please register your IMEP Emergency Response System in order to receive important updates and drug alerts. Keeping you current is our commitment.
THE ALGORITHMS IN IMEP'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM, MEDICAL EMERGENCY BOOK (ACTION GUIDE) AND WORKBOOK ARE TO BE USED AS A GUIDELINE THAT CONFORMS WITH THE RECOGNIZED STANDARD OF CARE AND DO NOT GUARANTEE TO PREVENT AN UNFAVORABLE OUTCOME, RESULT OR DEATH. A HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONER MAY CHOOSE TO DEVIATE FROM THE ALGORITHM BASED ON THEIR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE, TRAINING AND FACTORS UNIQUE TO THE INDIVIDUAL BEING ASSISTED.