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Emergency Procedures

What to do in emergency situations and how to get immediate help

Emergency Contacts - Call Immediately

000

Police, Fire, Ambulance

Life-threatening emergencies

1800 URGENT

CarerNest Emergency Line

24/7 care emergencies

13 11 26

Poisons Information

Poisoning emergencies

Types of Emergencies

Medical Emergencies

Cardiac Events

  • • Heart attack symptoms
  • • Chest pain or pressure
  • • Irregular heartbeat
  • • Loss of consciousness

Stroke Symptoms

  • • Sudden weakness or numbness
  • • Speech difficulties
  • • Vision problems
  • • Severe headache

Breathing Difficulties

  • • Severe asthma attack
  • • Choking
  • • Allergic reactions
  • • Respiratory distress

Severe Injuries

  • • Falls with head injury
  • • Severe bleeding
  • • Broken bones
  • • Burns

Safety & Security Emergencies

Fire & Smoke

  • • House fire
  • • Smoke detection
  • • Gas leaks
  • • Electrical hazards

Violence & Threats

  • • Physical violence
  • • Threats of harm
  • • Domestic violence
  • • Intruders

Home Emergencies

  • • Flooding
  • • Power outages
  • • Structural damage
  • • Security breaches

Missing Person

  • • Client wandering/missing
  • • Dementia-related incidents
  • • Unexpected absence
  • • Communication loss

Emergency Response Steps

1

Assess the Situation

Quickly evaluate the emergency and determine the level of response needed.

  • • Is anyone in immediate danger?
  • • Is the situation life-threatening?
  • • Can you safely provide assistance?
  • • What type of emergency services are needed?
2

Ensure Safety

Protect yourself and others from further harm.

  • • Remove yourself and others from danger if possible
  • • Do not put yourself at risk
  • • Turn off gas/electricity if safe to do so
  • • Clear airways if person is choking
3

Call Emergency Services

Call 000 immediately for life-threatening emergencies.

  • • Stay calm and speak clearly
  • • Provide your location and contact details
  • • Describe the emergency and number of people involved
  • • Follow the operator's instructions
  • • Stay on the line until told to hang up
4

Contact CarerNest

Notify CarerNest immediately after calling emergency services.

  • • Call 1800 URGENT (1800 874 368)
  • • Provide client and carer details
  • • Describe the emergency situation
  • • Inform about emergency services called
  • • Follow CarerNest coordinator instructions
5

Provide First Aid

Only if you are trained and it is safe to do so.

  • • Check for responsiveness and breathing
  • • Apply pressure to bleeding wounds
  • • Keep the person warm and comfortable
  • • Do not move someone with suspected spinal injury
  • • Monitor vital signs until help arrives
6

Notify Family/Emergency Contacts

Contact the client's emergency contacts as soon as possible.

  • • Use the emergency contact list in care plan
  • • Provide clear, factual information
  • • Inform about hospital destination if applicable
  • • Coordinate with CarerNest about family notification

Specific Emergency Protocols

Medical Emergencies

Heart Attack (FAST)

FFace: Ask to smile, check for drooping
AArms: Ask to raise both arms
SSpeech: Check for slurred speech
TTime: Call 000 immediately

Choking

  • • Encourage coughing if conscious
  • • Give 5 back blows between shoulder blades
  • • Give 5 chest thrusts if back blows fail
  • • Call 000 if object doesn't dislodge
  • • Begin CPR if person becomes unconscious

Severe Bleeding

  • • Apply direct pressure with clean cloth
  • • Elevate the injured area if possible
  • • Do not remove embedded objects
  • • Apply pressure around embedded objects
  • • Monitor for signs of shock

Safety Emergencies

Fire Emergency

  • • Alert everyone in the building
  • • Evacuate immediately if safe to do so
  • • Close doors behind you to slow fire spread
  • • Meet at designated assembly point
  • • Call 000 from safe location
  • • Do not use elevators
  • • Do not re-enter building

Gas Leak

  • • Do not use electrical switches or phones
  • • Do not light matches or smoke
  • • Open windows and doors for ventilation
  • • Turn off gas at the meter if safe
  • • Evacuate the area
  • • Call gas emergency line: 131 909

Missing Client

  • • Search immediate area thoroughly
  • • Check favorite places and usual routes
  • • Contact family/emergency contacts
  • • Call CarerNest emergency line
  • • Call police if not found within 30 minutes
  • • Provide recent photo and description

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Information

Keep Readily Available

  • • Client's medical history and conditions
  • • Current medications and dosages
  • • Emergency contact numbers
  • • Doctor and specialist contact details
  • • Insurance and Medicare details
  • • Care plan and special instructions

Location Information

  • • Full address with unit/apartment number
  • • Nearest cross streets
  • • Access codes or keys location
  • • Nearest hospital location
  • • Local police station details

Emergency Supplies

First Aid Kit Contents

  • • Bandages and gauze pads
  • • Antiseptic wipes and cream
  • • Disposable gloves
  • • Thermometer
  • • Emergency medications
  • • Emergency blanket

Emergency Equipment

  • • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • • Battery-powered radio
  • • Mobile phone charger
  • • Emergency water and snacks
  • • Fire extinguisher
  • • Smoke detector (check batteries)

Communication During Emergencies

Who to Contact & When

1

Emergency Services (000)

First call for life-threatening emergencies, fires, crimes in progress

2

CarerNest Emergency (1800 URGENT)

Immediately after emergency services for all care-related emergencies

3

Emergency Contacts

Client's family and designated emergency contacts

4

Healthcare Providers

Client's doctor, specialists, or healthcare team as appropriate

What Information to Provide

To Emergency Services

  • • Your name and relationship to client
  • • Exact location and address
  • • Nature of emergency
  • • Number of people involved
  • • Current condition of client
  • • Any immediate dangers

To CarerNest

  • • Client name and ID number
  • • Your name and carer ID
  • • Time and nature of emergency
  • • Emergency services contacted
  • • Current status and location
  • • Immediate support needed

To Family/Emergency Contacts

  • • What happened (factual information)
  • • Current condition of client
  • • Location (hospital if transported)
  • • Emergency services involved
  • • Next steps and how they can help
  • • Your contact information

After the Emergency

Immediate Follow-up

Documentation

  • • Complete incident report immediately
  • • Record timeline of events
  • • Note all people contacted
  • • Document emergency services response
  • • Include witness statements if applicable

Ongoing Communication

  • • Provide updates to family as available
  • • Coordinate with CarerNest care coordinator
  • • Communicate with healthcare providers
  • • Update emergency contacts as needed

Recovery & Support

Care Plan Review

  • • Review and update care plan as needed
  • • Assess any new care requirements
  • • Update emergency procedures
  • • Modify safety protocols if necessary

Support Services

  • • Access counseling services if needed
  • • Coordinate with social services
  • • Arrange additional support as required
  • • Follow up on insurance claims

Important Reminders

Stay Calm: Your calm demeanor will help you think clearly and provide better assistance. Take deep breaths and focus on the immediate priorities.

Safety First: Never put yourself in danger. You cannot help others if you become injured. Always assess the safety of the situation first.

Don't Hesitate: When in doubt, call for help. It's better to call emergency services and not need them than to delay and risk someone's life.

Follow Instructions: Emergency operators are trained professionals. Follow their instructions carefully and stay on the line until told to hang up.

Regular Training: Keep your first aid and CPR training current. CarerNest provides regular emergency response training for all carers.

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