Medical Emergencies

Policy

All staff are trained to identify and respond appropriately to medical emergencies that may occur within the practice.

In a medical emergency, the most senior clinical staff member leads the emergency response and directs all other clinical and non-clinical staff.

At least once a year, we conduct medical emergency drills to support our practice's response to medical emergencies, and to identify opportunities for quality improvement.

See also Medical Emergency Drills.

Responding to a medical emergency

• Notify relevant staff of the matter and that assistance is needed.
• Treat the patient according to the practice's triage procedure.
• If necessary, call for an ambulance.
• Contact patient's next-of-kin.
• Update the patient's records accordingly.
• If applicable, complete an incident form.

  A patient safety incident is any event that could have, or did, cause harm to a patient, staff member, or visitor, but which could have been avoided.

• Debrief with staff after a traumatic event. Rebook appointments if necessary.

See also Stress and Well-being

Training for medical emergencies

All practice staff have appropriate medical emergency training for their role.

All clinical staff have CPR certification at a relevant level to their role. Non-clinical staff may be trained in CPR as appropriate for practice needs.

During their induction, new staff receive training in:

• the practice's emergency procedures
• their individual responsibilities and limitations during a medical emergency
• how to work as an effective team.

Relevant staff know where emergency equipment and drugs are kept, and staff who need to use them are trained appropriately.

Additional training requirements may be identified through debriefing after a medical emergency, or a medical emergency drill.