Emergency Response in APS
Emergency Situations in Adult Protective Services
3 Key elements in an emergency:
- the circumstances are such that the person could die or suffer serious physical consequences if the situation is not remedied
and
- the situation presents an immediate danger to the person.
or
- significant and unexplained depletion of the adult’s estate
APS policy calls for emergency situations to be investigated within 4 hours after the referral is received.
Immediate Threats to Life and Property
Adult Protective Services: Emergency Situations Burns Cardiac emergencies congestive heart failure Diabetic emergencies
| Diabetic coma | Insulin shock |
|---|---|
| gradual onset | sudden onset |
| food intake excessive | food intake may be insufficient |
| skin dry and flushed | skin moist and pale |
| mouth is dry | drooling may be present |
| intense thirst | no thirst |
| vomiting common | vomiting rare |
| deep respirations | normal/shallow respirations |
| abdominal pain |
Drowning Heat Cramps – failure to replace sodium during heavy work in heat:
- abrupt onset
- prostrate with legs flexed, may thrash around and cry out with pain
- muscle spasms are palpable
- skin pale and wet
- temperature and BP normal
Heat Prostration – failure to adjust to dilation of skin blood vessels caused by alcohol, dehydration, excessive sweating:
- listless, apprehensive, semi comatose
- skin tone ashen, cold and damp
- blood pressure depressed
- profuse sweating
- complaints of weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea
- dim/blurred vision, irritability
- muscular cramps
- temperature normal
Heatstroke – exposure to high temperatures, old age, poor housing, and/or chronic disease facilitate occurrence. Onset may be sudden or follow symptoms of heat prostration:
- skin hot, flushed, dry
- elevated body temperature is obvious
- muscle twitching and cramps
- elevated pulse rate
- elevated respirations
- vomiting, convulsions
Infections
- deep open sores
- discoloration
- fever
- pain may be present
- pus
Shock – person may be alert and oriented, but lethargy, confusion and sleepiness are usual:
- hands and feet are cold, moist, pale, and often cyanotic
- pulse is weak and rapid
- BP is low or unobtainable
- respirations rapid and shallow
Trauma Venomous bites
- swelling and pain
- weakness, sweating, thirst, headache, ringing or buzzing in ears
- abdominal rigidity and pain to the touch
- vomiting, apprehension