The Importance Of Risk Management
What Is Risk Management?
As Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), you are constantly trying to create a danger-free environment for the elderly, but we have to understand that accidents always happen. By implementing Risk Management, Care Providers can lessen the risk and minimize its effects.
Having open communication, maintaining a safe environment, and reporting & documenting incidents on time keeps Care Providers aware of risk factors.
It plays a crucial role in health & safety and promotes the quality of life of your developmentally disabled patients. It is a never-ending process of assessment, identification, planning, performing, and evaluating results.
Therefore it should be the number one priority of Caregivers to understand the different types of risks patients can be exposed to.
Types of Risks
Many types of risks cause injuries in homes and care facilities, but the most common three; are poisonings, falls, and fires. In these situations, the Health Care Provider increases the safety of its patient by maintaining a safe environment and responding appropriately to the crisis.
In case of poison, find out which one and how much they drank. Then immediately call the poison control center and give them brief information about the affected patient.
In case of falls, examine the person, call medical help if needed, and do not move the individual if they are badly bleeding, appear to have broken bone(s), complain of sharp pain, and lose consciousness. You do so after examining the situation by listening, observing, and asking the individual.
In case of fires, extinguish the fire, but if it is severe, assist individuals in leaving the care facility and staying out. These are all things you should remember and be prepared for. In this situation, preparation, planning, and checking tools after regular time intervals can be the difference between life and death.
Responding to Natural Disasters
Sadly The Departments of Developmental Services, most of the time, cannot predict a disaster or accident, but you as Direct Support Professionals, are highly trained to react to internal (fire within the home) and external emergencies (earthquakes, tornados, floods, or events outside the home, that interfere with essential services or food supplies).
The DSPs respond to disasters after enquiring four things;
● If there is a requirement for First Aid or medical attention?
● If the individuals need to leave their house, or can, they stay?
● Are water and food supplies enough?
● If the disaster has affected basic facilities of gas, electricity, and communication?
To enhance the response, the DSPs follow the "4 Ps", that is;
PREPARE … have the suitable things to cope with disaster.
PLAN … decide the duties of each DSP.
PRACTICE … have disaster drilling.
PERFORM … do the right action in an emergency.
Managing Risks
Helping with Transfer, Positioning, and Lifting
Is simply assisting your mobility impairment patient in their wheelchair by following these three steps: transferring, lifting, and positioning; avoiding injuring the person you are supporting and yourself.
Medical Emergencies
DSPs are constantly making decisions during risky situations, and one of the most serious ones is determining when medical attention or first aid is required. The DSP calls 911 to help the affected individual. Until the Medical help arrives, the DSP needs to stay cool-headed and remain with the adult/Senior to maintain his/her airway, control bleeding, treat for shock, and get the medical history ready.
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