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Tip of the Week: Seven steps to prevent elopement

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly, October 18, 2007

If you want to guard against resident elopement, consider putting the following policies and practices in place:

• Daily log sheet. Staff should keep a log documenting that the various alarm systems are checked regularly to make sure they are functioning in the proper manner.

• Manual door push checks. Have your staff push on each exterior door at regular intervals to make sure the magnetic locks are properly engaged.

• Bed and chair alarms. Consider instituting these alarms for residents designated as at risk for wandering and elopement.

• Inspections. Conduct weekly tests of security bracelets and bed and chair alarms in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. In addition, also have staff check perimeter alarms daily.

• Emergency chain of command. Your facility's emergency policy needs to include protocols to put in use in the event of a mechanical problem. The maintenance staff and the resident administrator should be available on-call to address such emergency situations.

• Equipment preventive maintenance policy. Implement a policy that includes testing and maintenance for all equipment at established intervals, as prescribed by the manufacturer.

• Resident care policy and assessment procedure policy. These polices should also include resident care and evaluation by an interdisciplinary team to determine your residents' potential for accidents and need for supervision.

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