Seizure Emergency

Goal- Why is this important?

We care about our staff & clients! We’d like to make sure staff feel confident about how to proceed in a seizure emergency

Ingredients- What do I need to get started?

• Phone
• Another staff person
• 
  

Timeframe- How long will this take?

5-30 minutes

Contacts- who do I need to let know?

Program Coordinator

Steps- What do I do?

Signs of a seizure may include stiffness of body, loss of consciousness, and shaking/ jerking uncontrollably. A person having a seizure may also experience irregular breathing.

If a client is having a seizure, follow these steps:

1. Alert another staff person to call 911 and inform them that someone is having a seizure. This person should also make sure the path to the person is clear and free of obstacles
2. Note about confidentiality- we can only disclose information specifically related to the medical emergency. Name, age, relevant medications, the symptoms that we are seeing that lead us to call for EMS, what substances the person is detoxing from (if applicable), other relevant medical conditions. And generally, we're only going to answer the questions that the EMT asks us, and they're only going to ask questions relative to the emergency.
3. Clear the area of other clients and anything that could be harmful to the client such as chairs, and if possible assist them to the floor (be sure to cushion their head if they are on the floor)
4. Time how long the seizure lasts
5. Once the person stops seizing, assist them into the recovery position until EMS arrives

DO NOT try to restrain or hold down the person having a seizure or put anything in their mouth. This is very harmful to the person who may be having a seizure.

Follow up- what else do I need to finish?

Complete Incident Report and debrief other clients as needed