Emergency Services
By Marda Gutierrez, Executive Director
What should a family member, friend or resident do if a resident suffers a fall, an injury or some other accident while visiting family, while out shopping or other outing? Answer: they should be treated prior to returning to Southmayd Home: either by going to their physician, a hospital emergency room, an emergency care service center, or walk-in clinic. Once treated, all injuries, falls or problems still be communicated to the staff so that we can monitor for changes or aggravation of pain.
Southmayd Home currently employs two registered nurses however it is important to be aware that neither is a nurse always present, nor are they “on-call.” Their principle nursing responsibility is to provide supervision for our medication management system.
As a residential care home, the CT Department of Public Health regulates our type of facility and states that our personnel:
“furnish food, shelter and laundry,” and provide “services that do not require the training or skills of a licensed nurse. Additional services of a personal nature may include assistance with bathing, help with dressing, preparation of special diets and supervision over medications which are self-administered.” DPH 19-13-D6 (a) (17)
Residents and family members should therefore not rely on Southmayd staff to assess, evaluate or diagnose a resident’s condition, nor to provide nursing services, such as wound care, as we are not a healthcare or medical facility.
Southmayd Home prides itself on providing direct care employees who are professionally well trained to, with written orders of a physician, administer medications and treatments (e.g. first aid treatment, eye drops), assist residents with their activities of daily living and respond professionally to emergencies
Please remember that our emergency response involves observing the condition of the resident and, should it be judged necessary, calling emergency services (ambulance) and notifying the physician and family members that a resident is to be transported to the hospital.
We do not send anyone with the resident: it is the responsibility of caregivers to meet the resident at the emergency room and stay with them. Another reminder: residents should not return to Southmayd if they are unable to ambulate and/or manage their own care.
Southmayd Home pledges to continue to be attentive to the needs of our residents and to perform our services and responsibilities to the highest standards of quality however we ask in turn that you please bear in mind the limitations of our services. Please call or stop in to see me if you have questions regarding these policies.
