20. Emergency Procedures
20.1 An emergency is defined as a life threatening situation so there will be occasions when a person’s personal safety may be at risk and where urgent intervention is required. However, whatever the circumstances, staff should not put themselves at risk.
20.2 If a staff member is seriously concerned about an individual’s physical condition and they have had the appropriate first hand training from a health care professional or qualified trainer in emergency procedures and feel confident of intervening in an emergency situation, they can do so only as a first aid measure, and whilst ensuring that an ambulance is called first through the 999 emergency service.
20.3 This particularly applies to the administration of rectal diazepam [Stesolid] (Valium)/Midazolam, when a service user has a seizure and there is a risk of Status Epilepticus occurring. The preferred course of action is for an ambulance to be called using the 999 emergency service. Rarely, more immediate intervention will be necessary and this may be carried out by named staff members in accordance with the procedures established in paragraph 18.2 above. In some specialist services for people with profound and multiple disabilities, frequency of administration would place a particular burden on the ambulance service and significantly impact on the care of the service user. Here, as long as the procedures established in paragraph 18.2 above can be met, the administration of rectal diazepam or buccal midazolam are tasks that may be delegated to Adult Social Care staff. (See Administration of Medication in residential care policy and Administration of Medication in Day Care policy
In all circumstances the service user’s GP and family or carer should be informed.
