May Safety Tip
Knowing when to call for emergency help can be challenging for employees, especially those that are new to Mainstream Living. Never be afraid to call your supervisor. If it is a medical emergency he or she can contact the nurse for that program.
Contact numbers should be posted at each location. Mobile Crisis can be contacted for psychiatric emergencies. The police dispatch can also contact them. Non emergency police numbers should be posted and used when appropriate. 911 should be used for medical emergencies. Here are some examples:
- No breathing/no pulse
- Slurred speech, paralysis on one side of body with weakness
- Severe bleeding
- Unable to awake/arouse member
- Severe shortness of breath - especially if not responding to MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler)
- Broken bones
- Vomiting blood
- Severe, crushing chest pain
- A seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes (for known cases)
- A seizure for someone that does not have a seizure disorder
- After an epinephrine injection (epi pen)
It is always better to be safe than sorry during a suspected emergency. Never be worried about making a mistake or asking a question if you are concerned for someone's physical or mental health.