Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. SITUATIONS WITH POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE PURPOSE: To establish a system for preventing staff problems safety and security. To establish a system for reporting problems should they occur. POLICY: · At time of referral, if a patient/significant other presents a risk for violence, the referral will not be accepted. · If, during the course of care, the patient/significant other presents a risk for violence (i.e. violence is suspected or potential) and/or is in a situation in which criminal activity is present, the degree of risk must be immediately assessed. It is important for clinical staff to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of violent behavior. The following procedures outline the immediate responses required by staff when faced with violence or potential violence in the home. PROCEDURE: It is the responsibility of the Manager of Intake to assess patients’ potential for violence at the point of referral. If any possible problem is identified during the intake process, the Manager of Intake will contact the patient/caregiver and speak directly to them concerning issues of concern. For example, the following statement should be made: “It is the policy of the agency to assess for the safety of out visiting staff. Is there anything you are aware of that would pose a threat to our visiting staff? If the response indicates a problem does exist, the referral source will be advised that the referral will not be accepted but the patient will be directed to the appropriate community resources. The Manager of Intake will identify patients on the Non-Admit Log who present a situation with potential for violence and who are not currently acceptable for admission. Presence of a firearm in the home requires the following actions: Documentation in patient’s record regarding location of firearm and whether it is kept loaded (if this is known). Notification of the Manager that this assessment has been completed. All disciplines will be notified of the above. A notation will be placed in the computer information system, in the section designated for Comments under Patient Demographic Info (under Address or Location of Service). If a patient/significant other demonstrates a physical or verbal threat of violence in the course of a home visit, employees will take the following steps: · Leave the home immediately · Call police (911) if someone in the home remains in danger after you have left. · Call/page supervisor to determine subsequent plan of action. The manger will be responsible for notifying the patient’s physician of situation. Additionally, the Manager will notify the Director of Nursing, Clinical Manager and the Administrator of the situation. · When threat of immediate danger is resolved, the employee involved should complete an Incident Report detailing the situation and give it to the Manager of QI. · Staff/Manager will determine how to notify other family members/caregivers of problem that has occurred. · It is the responsibility of the staff assigned to the patient to document the unsafe situation and to notify all disciplines involved with providing patient care. Alternative arrangements for care of the patient will be discussed with the patient’s physician. Upon physician’s orders, a report will be recorded with the DHR office for further investigation and follow-up. Home Health Agency. - - Personnel/Operations Policies B-107