Best Practices – Provider

Submission date: 3-6-13
Submitted by: Gwen Williams
Provider name: Grandville Group Home
APD Area: 3

Practice
In the provider van, the provider keeps an up to date copy of demographics (medications, allergies, physical and emotional health concerns, medical conditions) along with a picture of each individual zipped securely in a pouch in the glove box with the vehicle registration and insurance. Staff is trained to safeguard this sensitive information.

Individuals at the home don’t communicate with words. In the event of an auto accident, this information would be accessible for emergency personnel to provider effective treatment.

Who Benefits? How?
There have been several auto accidents in area 3 – some resulting in fatalities – in the last year. Emergency workers can use the pictures and demographics to identify individuals who don’t speak and provide effective emergency treatment.

How could others apply this in practice?
Other providers who follow HIPPA precautions and who transport individuals could use similar procedures.