Therapist Home Visit: Emergency Response Plan
Step‑by‑step procedures to ensure therapists can respond effectively, protect patient well‑being, and maintain professional standards of care during unexpected events in the home setting.
Providing therapy in a patient’s home offers unique opportunities for personalized care, but it also places therapists in environments where medical emergencies may arise without immediate access to clinical support. Whether faced with a sudden fall, dangerously high blood pressure, or another urgent incident, therapists must be prepared to act swiftly, prioritize safety, and coordinate appropriate medical assistance. This plan outlines clear, step‑by‑step procedures to ensure therapists can respond effectively, protect patient well‑being, and maintain professional standards of care during unexpected events in the home setting.
For All Patients
LifeCare maintains patient care policies designed to ensure medical stability is routinely assessed before the initiation of therapy services. These policies require a baseline evaluation of vital signs and, when clinically indicated by the patient’s diagnosis (e.g., orthostatic hypotension), ongoing monitoring during therapy sessions. In addition, all staff are expected to apply a gait belt during treatment to enhance patient safety, allowing the therapist to provide adequate support and reduce the risk of injury in the event of a fall or loss of balance.
Therapists are to be familiar with and follow the Vital Sign Guidelines for Therapy
Response Plan
GENERAL PRINCIPLES:
Safety First: Protect the patient, yourself, and anyone else present.
Stay Calm & Act Quickly: Use clear, reassuring communication.
Follow Scope of Practice: Provide immediate support, but do not attempt medical interventions beyond training.
Remain with Patient: Do not leave the scene until the patient has received necessary medical care and it is safe for you to do so.
IN THE EVENT OF AN ADVERSE MEDICAL INCIDENT
1. Call 911 for any situation deemed life threatening.
2. Notify supervisor of the incident.
4. Notify LifeCare of the incident.
5. Complete Incident Report
Remember that the safety of the person administering aid is as important as that of the person receiving assistance. Make sure that you do not become a victim yourself.
What if a Patient Refuses?
If a patient is refusing 911 but their vitals are unstable and medical help is not available (such as at an ALF), therapists MUST STILL CALL 911. They can refuse paramedics because they have a form that patients sign to refuse treatment, but we do not have one. This is for your protection and for the safety of the patient.
