NORTHERN COCHISE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
MISSING PERSON/PATIENT POLICY
DEPARTMENT: Safety
SUBJECT: Missing Person/Patient
Reviewed By:
| Review Date:
| Committee
| 07/20/17
| Med Staff
| 08/28/17
| Governing Board
| 09/26/17
|
REFERENCES: CMS Guidelines
SCOPE: All NCCH Staff.
POLICY: Missing Person/Patient
PROCEDURE:
Introduction:
This policy covers an Infant/Child Abduction or Missing Patient. In the event of an actual or potential abduction of an infant/child or adult, or the event of a missing patient, the responsibility of our staff members is to secure the exits of the building as quickly as possible. It is necessary that each employee be aware of the missing patient/person procedures. Employees must be aware of their roles during the missing person incident to ensure the incident is handled quickly and efficiently, and with minimal confusion around the situation and throughout the facility
In addition, the parent(s) or primary caregiver(s) of all patients 5 years old and under that are admitted to the hospital and Emergency Department, will receive Identification Bands matching the patient (child).
General Response:
A Missing Person/Patient incident will be called upon discovery of a missing person. The procedure is initiated by paging overhead, dialing "6548", wait for beep, press "0", announce "Missing Person", followed by the location, three (3) times.
- All exits from the hospital facility must be secured immediately.
- Admitting Staff - Lobby Doors must be locked.
- ED Staff - The ED Doors must be secured.
- Breezeway to LAB.
- Hospital Nursing Staff - Administration Hallway.
During weekday hours, each department will be responsible for securing the doors in their area, in addition:
- Medical Records - East Wing.
- Administration hallway doors.
- Physical Therapy Staff - West Wing Lobby Doors.
- Conduct a brief search of the area.
- Call 911 and advise them of the situation including:
- Location of event in the hospital.
- Description of the individual.
IN THE EVENT OF AN ACTUAL ABDUCTION - DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DETAIN A HOSTILE INDIVIDUAL
- Dial 911 and notify the authorities.
- Obtain a description of the individual and protect the scene for forensic evidence if needed.
- Document the event carefully.
- Complete an Adverse Event Form.
Evaluation
Following each activation of the Code Pink Plan an evaluation may be conducted. The evaluation may be facilitated by NCCH Administration, or the DON or designee, and would normally include staff directly involved with the Code Pink. Such evaluations would be conducted at the discretion of NCCH.
In such evaluations, all information provided is considered confidential and for the purposes of quality assurance review activities. A healthcare entity, or employee that provides information, takes action or makes a decision or recommendation in the course of a quality assurance process shall not be subject to liability for civil damages or any legal action in consequence of such action. (ARS 36-2402)
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SAFE-PLAN-006-1
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