You need a policy for abandoned babies
You should have a policy for child abandonment so all staff know what to do if this situation arises, suggests Marguerite McCarthy, RN, BSN, director of the ED at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
At Baylor, "anyone can easily find the policy manual and feel comfortable with the procedure," she explains. All ED staff are inserviced on the child abandonment policy, she says.
Representatives from the department of social services helped develop the policy because they will be involved should this scenario occur, says McCarthy. "Anyone who may encounter this situation in your institution should be made aware of the policy," she advises. This group includes social workers, guest relations representatives, chaplains, respiratory therapists, and radiology technicians, McCarthy says. (See policy, above.)
Sources
For more information about educating patients about stroke treatments, contact:
• Nanette H. Hock, RN, MSN, Program Coordinator, Stanford Stroke Center, 701 Welch Road, Suite 325, Palo Alto, CA 94304. Telephone: (650) 723-4468. Fax: (650) 723-4451. E-mail: [email protected].
• Patricia Kunz Howard, EMS Training Coordinator, Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Fire and Emergency Services, 219 E. Third St., Lexington, KY 40508. Telephone: (859) 259-1904. Fax: (859) 273-4222. E-mail: [email protected].
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