Responding to Medical Emergencies Policy
Issued by Midlands Health Network as a template to guide the development of practice policies and
procedures. Practices can modify the procedure part to meet their specific requirements.
Document owners are responsible for keeping the practice policy (and procedures) up-to-date.
1. Policy Statement
(practice name) is committed to ensuring there are systems in place to allow timely and
appropriate triaging of patients and in particular those with medical emergencies.
2. Policy Objectives
2.1.
To provide assurance to patients that those with clinically urgent health needs will be
managed by the practice
2.2.
To ensure front line practice staff are appropriately trained to deal with patients with
urgent medical needs
2.3.
To ensure front line practice staff are aware of their responsibilities when patients
with clinically urgent health needs present at the practice
2.4
To ensure an appropriate range of equipment and medications is readily available at
all times
2.5
To ensure systems are in place to enable staff to observe the clinical conditions of
patients in waiting rooms
3. Authorisation
(staff member) has delegated authority to approve this policy.
This policy applies to all staff at (practice name) including locums and contractors.
This policy will be reviewed every two years and updated if any changes are required.
4. Definitions
4.1
Medical Emergencies: a sudden unforeseen injury, illness or complication,
demanding immediate or early professional care to save life or prevent gross disability1
situation/condition which requires an urgent response
5. References and relevant legislation (this list is not exclusive)
5.1.
New Zealand Resuscitation Council guidelines
5.2.
Medical Council of NZ. A Doctor’s Duty to Help in a Medical Emergency
5.3.
Curtain University. Triage in the Emergency Department
6. Related practice policies
6.1.
1
Code of Health & Disability Services Consumers’ Rights Policy
Medical Council of NZ
Title: Responding to Medical Emergencies
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6.2.
Incident Management Policy
6.3.
Privacy Policy
Title: Responding to Medical Emergencies
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Template reviewed June 2015
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7. Procedure
7.1.
All staff who have contact with patients must have a current CPR certificate as follows:
- General Practitioners – Minimum level 5 NZRC Standards
- Practice Nurses – Minimum level 4 NZRC Standards
- Administrators – Minimum level 2 NZRC Standards
All CPR training is recorded in our practice training register.
7.2.
All non medical team members responsible for first line interaction with patients are
trained to identify and respond appropriately to patients with urgent medical needs
(outline training that occurs, by who and how often). All reception staff should have
in house training from the practice doctor or nurse on recognising and responding to
an emergency. This should include running through scenarios with staff.
All training is recorded in our practice training register.
7.3.
(Practice name) has systems in place to observe the clinical condition of patients in
our waiting area. These include (describe)
7.4
(Practice name) has systems in place to ensure patients with clinically urgent health
needs who phone the practice are responded to appropriately. (Outline systems that
are in place)
7.5
When a patient presents with symptoms suggestive of a medical emergency, our
reception staff follow the instructions in Appendix One. Copies of this appendix are
displayed in the reception area. (include other information around posters that you
have available including those available to patients)
7.6
Our emergency equipment and medications are kept (state area) and all staff are
aware of this.
7.7
A full list of emergency equipment and medications is available – Appendix Two.
(name of nurse) is responsible for checking the contents and expiry of the equipment
and medications (state how often)
8. Errors / Complaints
8.1.
.
8.2.
All incidents and errors relating to the implementation of the triaging of patients
policy will be recorded and managed as per the practice’s incident management
policy.
The incident management policy will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of this
policy as appropriate.
Signed ……………………………………….
Date …………………………………………..
Title: Responding to Medical Emergencies
Version:
Prepared by:
Template reviewed June 2015
Date Approved:
Date for Review:
Approved by:
Designation:
Signature:
Appendix One
Response to Medical Emergencies
Examples only – please complete the template according to your practice’s requirements
In determining the role of the receptionist for any given event, consideration should be given as
to what represents best practice under the circumstances in which the practice operates. A
general practice with a solo practitioner may not be able to deliver emergency care to the same
extent as a large group practice. A rural practice may offer different emergency care to that of
an urban practice. This document provides the opportunity for staff with the practice to review
and discuss their approach to emergency care.
Event
Patient presents with shortness of breath
Patient presents at reception desk with chest
pain
Patient calls the surgery to ask for an
appointment as they have chest pain
Patient in the waiting room starts to have
seizures
Patient tells receptionist that their condition is
an emergency
Patient presents with altered level of
consciousness (define)
No Dr or nurse immediately available and
medical emergency presents
Role of Receptionist
Notify Nurse or Dr immediately
Notify Nurse of Dr immediately
Notify Dr immediately and call an ambulance
Notify Nurse or Dr immediately
Notify Nurse or Dr immediately
Notify Dr immediately and call an ambulance
Call an ambulance
Other conditions you may consider adding to this table include burns, a bleeding patient, mental
health crisis.
Title: Responding to Medical Emergencies
Version:
Prepared by:
Template reviewed June 2015
Date Approved:
Date for Review:
Approved by:
Designation:
Signature:
Appendix Two
Emergency and resuscitation equipment (RNZCGP list)
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Airways and/or laryngeal masks – varied sizes
Oxygen
IV equipment – setup and infusion
Emergency bag/trolley
Ambubag and masks – paediatric to adult
Tourniquet
Saline
Emergency Medication
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Adrenalin 1/1000
An alternative for those allergic to penicillin
Analgesia eg paracetamol, diclofenac
Antiemetic
Antihistamine injection
Aspirin tablets
Atropine injection
Corticosteroid injection
Diazepam infection/rectal
Frusemide
Sterile water for injection
50% glucose/glucagon injection
Local anaesthetic injection
Naloxone injection
Nitrolingual spray
Sodium chloride for injection – some need refrigeration and in addition powdered
version for off-site emergencies
Title: Responding to Medical Emergencies
Version:
Prepared by:
Template reviewed June 2015
Date Approved:
Date for Review:
Approved by:
Designation:
Signature: