Toolkit with Report Form - Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic ...

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Section five Physical Injury Severe or moderate injury to clients and staff is probably the most frequently encountered issue. Severe injury or multiple injuries can disrupt services and/or trigger crisis reactions in witnesses. When the cause of the injury is unknown or there are multiple people with injuries or the injuries sustained are of a severe nature, staff may be called upon to provide assistance. The sight of such injuries can be incredibly powerful for witnesses and can initiate an emotional and/or physical crisis reaction; providing assistance to these individuals can also distract staff from their usual responsibilities. When the nature or cause of the injury is unknown, this uncertainty may be enough to send someone into a crisis reaction. Programs can alleviate the impact of severe or moderate injuries by being well prepared with a clear response plan in place. Assisting Medical Personnel When faced with multiple injured people, it is a good idea to put a nametag on each injured person. This will assist hospital staff in accurately identifying the patient and will allow them to more quickly provide appropriate treatment. When calling for assistance, provide specific and detailed directions to the emergency dispatcher so that first responders can locate the correct location/ entrance. Accurate communication can save crucial time, especially if your shelter is in an undisclosed or obscure location or has multiple entry points. Sending someone outside to greet the ambulance helps secure assistance more quickly. Transportation Transporting a sick or injured client, volunteer or staff member in a program or personal vehicle should occur: ◗ Only in extreme circumstances ◗ If an ambulance cannot reach the site Issues of liability must be considered. Transporting in a program or personal vehicle is not advised because it is impossible to know the extent of a person’s injuries or other health concerns, which could become an issue during transport. Follow your program’s existing procedure on providing emergency transportation to clients. If a resident, client, volunteer or staff person is transported by ambulance, it’s a good idea to have two staff accompany her/him to the hospital – one person to ride in the ambulance, a second to follow in another vehicle. (The second vehicle provides transportation back to the agency for both staff members). Staff should remain with the injured person until a family member or another responsible adult arrives. Do not leave an injured or seriously ill person alone at a medical facility. Wait until adequate support arrives. page 30 When Crisis Strikes | Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence | 2012
If a parent/guardian of a minor client or a friend of an injured adult is present, AND the injured person prefers to have them transport, a judgment call is required. Programs usually have emergency procedures that tell them to call 911 to obtain transport for injured victims. Ask yourself: ”Is the injured person capable of making a rational decision about their transportation?” If not, call 911. Death Critical incidents of this nature require: ◗ Strong and competent leadership ◗ Ongoing clear communication ◗ Reliable documentation ◗ Strict adherence to confidentiality policies Staff, volunteers, BOD and clients may be able to maintain a sense of safety and security if they see that someone is in charge and that the situation is under control. Sudden death usually evokes emotional and physical crisis reactions, which can be contained with proper planning and compassionate, trauma-informed responses. It can be tempting for the team and its leader to give over program decisions to family members or other agencies. It is recommended that the team stay in charge of program decisions to provide the maximum support and leadership to staff, volunteers, BOD, clients, the affected family, families of other clients, and the community. Death Notification Program staff is not responsible for making death notifications to families. Only professionals trained to provide death notification should be doing so. This notification is a task that falls under the purview of law enforcement. Religious/faith leaders are additional likely resources to provide notifications to family members. Communication and Confidentiality After death notification to the family, the next ripple is likely to be staff, volunteers, other residents and witnesses who require immediate notification. Public statements to the media should be reserved until all who “need to know” have been notified. Confidentiality remains a primary concern in such a situation. Contact the PCADV Legal Department for any guidance or technical assistance. Verification of Death, Securing Personal Items and Documentation In the event of the death of a resident, client, volunteer or staff person, do not move or touch the body. Secure confirmation of death from a medical professional only. Verification of information is a critical element when responding to sudden death incidents. Accuracy must be established and then verified by a second source. Section five Program staff can help the family access the Victim Compensation Assistance Program for funeral expenses and loss of support when applicable. When Crisis Strikes | Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence | 2012 page 31
Page 1 and 2: When Crisis Strikes: A Toolkit for
Page 3: TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. When Crisis St
Page 6 and 7: Section ONE PCADV technical Assista
Page 8 and 9: Section two Involve other systems i
Page 10 and 11: COMMUNICATIONS Do: Don’t: Do: Don
Page 12 and 13: Responding to Subpoena for Program
Page 14 and 15: Section four PROTECTING CONFIDENTIA
Page 16 and 17: Section four RESPONDING TO A subpoe
Page 18 and 19: Section four ◗ Staff should never
Page 20 and 21: Section five 4. Trauma ◗ A unique
Page 22 and 23: Section five E. Take Care of Staff
Page 24 and 25: Section five A Team Approach Most c
Page 26 and 27: Section five Communication with Fam
Page 28 and 29: Section five Take Care of Staff Fee
Page 30 and 31: Section five Vicarious Trauma Impli
Page 32 and 33: Section five Bringing in Other Indi
Page 36 and 37: Section five In securing personal i
Page 38 and 39: Section five Children and Death Whe
Page 40 and 41: Section five Appendix Resources Res
Page 42 and 43: Section six Managing Communications
Page 44 and 45: Section Six A Reference Guide to th
Page 46 and 47: Section Six Preparing Victims and S
Page 48 and 49: Section Six DISPELLING MYTHS Myth:
Page 50 and 51: Section Six Myth: Women Lie About B
Page 52 and 53: Section Six Myth: There’s Nothing
Page 54 and 55: Section seven Individual and Commun
Page 56 and 57: Section seven Honoring Victims Prof
Page 58 and 59: Section seven Community Awareness E
Page 60 and 61: Section seven Randi’s Race This a
Page 62 and 63: Section 1: General Information Prog

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