The beginning of the year is the perfect time to review and update clinic policies and procedures. This helps maintain a safe practice environment. Some areas recommended for annual review are:
- Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) guidelines specific to your practice
- Occupational Health and Safety policies, including the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Being prepared for medical emergencies is also necessary. RDHs should make sure their CPR and basic first aid training is up to date, and that their practice has an appropriate medical emergency kit.
CPR and basic first aid training must include a hands-on component covering:
- Basic support-level CPR, including one-rescuer and two-rescuer CPR for adults, children, and infants
- Relief of foreign body airway obstructions for adults, children and infants
- Use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED)
- Use of a Bag Valve Mask (BVM) / Ambu-bag
A basic medical emergency kit must include:
- Epinephrine (epi-pen)
- Diphenhydramine (injectable)
- Salbutamol (inhaler)
- Nitroglycerin (sublingual tablets or sublingual spray)
- ASA Tablets (chewable)
- Fruit Juice or Glucose
- Portable Oxygen Unit
If an RDH encounters a client experiencing an opioid overdose, Naloxone (Narcan) is a fast-acting drug that can temporarily reverse the potentially fatal effects. For more information on handling opioid-related emergencies or how to get a Naloxone kit and training, visit: https://cdho.org/cdho-resources/naloxonekit/
If you have any questions, please get in touch with our Practice Advisor at advice@cdho.org or call 1-800-268-2346 (press 2).