Hemiplegia

128 views 10:00 am 0 Comments May 10, 2023

John Blake is an 89 year old gentleman residing in an independent living unit within an aged residential care facility. He moved to the unit five years ago after the death of his wife, Lenore. Mr. Blake has three children who live close by and each visit once per week.

Three years ago, Mr. Blake suffered a stroke which left him with significant left-sided weakness (hemiplegia). He now mobilises slowly with a four wheeled walker. Mr. Blake has also been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and takes multiple pain medications for his osteoarthritis which, he reports, is much worse in the mornings.

His living area is very cluttered with furniture and old newspapers on the floor. Because of this, Mr. Blake will often be found watching television from his kitchen table rather than sitting on his armchair.

You have been allocated to assist Mr. Blake with his morning hygiene routine. When you arrive at his unit, you notice that his front door is unlocked and there is the smell of burning toast. When you enter his unit, Mr. Blake is sitting on his walker in the kitchen looking upset. He is disposing of burned toast into the bin and tells you that he is becoming concerned about his increasing forgetfulness.

Client Information
Including name, age and social history
Brief Medical History
Identify any chronic health conditions, complex health needs, falls risk or polypharmacy (multiple medication use)
Care Needs
Identify assessed care needs as per the care plan, i.e. hygiene, mobility, assistance with meals and any required aids

 

Actual or Potential Hazard

Identified Risk(s)

Risk Assessment Score

Planned Solutions

(Eliminate or Minimise)

Monitoring Processes

Role of the Healthcare Assistant


Manual hoist

Possibility of serious injury to the client and worker due to inappropriate use of equipment, or equipment damage

Moderate risk

(yellow)

Ensure equipment has the operating instruction manual attached to the lifting device

Risk assessment conducted by the R.N. with associated risks and relevant equipment identified within the client care plan

All staff to receive initial manual tasks training, including use of manual hoist and ongoing yearly updates

Workplace assessments of manual hoist competency to be signed off by the relevant R.N.

All clients requiring the use of a manual hoist will receive regular, ongoing six monthly review by the relevant R.N. to mitigate any new or ongoing risks associated with the use of manual hoists for client care

Regular review of accident and incident forms involving manual hoists

Follows client care plan

Reports and records changes in client health status to inform regular review of client

Fills in and submits hazard report form for any issues with equipment as needed

Attends initial manual handling training and regular updates as per organizational policy