Important Client Safety Reminder for HHAs: All Changes in Your Clients’ Condition Must Be Reported Immediately to Your VNS Health Personal Care Supervisor

It is important to notify your VNS Health Personal Care Supervisor immediately if your client has any changes to their condition, including if your client is experiencing an emergent situation. In an emergent situation like those listed below, you should call 911 first and then notify your Supervisor within 24 hours.

Some examples of client emergent situations when the Plan of Care states for the HHA to call 911:

• Chest pain that medication does not help.
• Increased difficulty breathing not relieved by rest or medications.
• Fall and client unable to get up on their own.
• Fall and are bleeding.
• Fall and have a broken bone.
• Severe or prolonged bleeding.
• Severe or prolonged pain.
• Are unable to wake the client.
• New onset of slurred speech.
• Sudden weakness in arms or legs.

If the client does not want you to inform anyone or call 911:

• Call your HHA Supervisor from outside the client’s home and report the situation as soon as possible.
• Even if the client tells you not to activate 911, it is still your responsibility to immediately activate 911 for emergent situations.

Remember: The client has the right to refuse medical care when EMS workers arrive.

Please also pay special attention to those conditions outlined at the bottom of the aide Plan of Care.