Client Handbook

Emergency Care Plan

This plan outlines what to do, in case of a problem or emergency. Please keep this information where you can find it easily. Our agency has nursing staff available by phone 24 hours a day, including nights, weekends and holidays.

Call 911 if you have

• A fall with a broken bone or bleeding
• Chest pain that medication does not help
• Difficulty in breathing
• Are unable to wake patient
• Severe or prolonged bleeding
• Severe or prolonged pain

Below is a brief summary of signs and symptoms that should be reported to your nurse and/or doctor. This is not an all inclusive list but an instructional tool. Do not hesitate to call your nurse or doctor with any type of concern.

Please call the nurse at American Home Health at 630-585-0074

if you have:

Heart/Lung Problems:

• A productive or frothy cough new congestion
• Increased shortness of breath
• More swelling in your legs or feet
• Weight gain of 2# in 24 hours or 5# in a week

Signs of Infection

• Increased redness
• More or different drainage
• Wound/area gets bigger
• Wound/area is more painful
• Temperature if 100 or more
• Change or new odor from a wound
• New or persistent cough
• Chills, with or without fever

Diabetic Problems

• Drowsiness
• Sudden weakness
• Uncontrollable thirst or hunger
• Sudden dizziness
• Sweating spells
• Frequent headaches
• Blood sugar level:

Too much Blood Thinner

• Bleeding from nose, mouth, gums, rectum
• Bruising
• Leg pain
• Tarry stools

Urinary problems

• Foul odor to urine
• Catheter not draining
• Back or flank pan
• Are not able to urinate
• Increased weakness
• Bloody, cloudy or change in urine color
• Body aches

Other Problems

• New skin problems
• Change in balance, coordination, strength
• Fall with small or no injury
• Change in mental status
• Persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Newly developed discharge, sores, rash, frequency of urination, burning or itching with urination, sores on lips or mouth