Policy

Staff may provide for and obtain immediate first aid for members of the public in case of an accident or illness. This includes accidents involving Library property and property of a patron, contractor, etc. This does not include theft of a patron's items from Library property.

Form

Webform: Reporting an injury, illness or property damage (member of the public).

Procedure

1. A staff member may provide immediate assistance to the injured or ill customer to the extent of their training. Ill or injured adults who are conscious must first be asked for consent before anyone administers first aid. Staff should follow universal precautions, including wearing gloves, when administering first aid.
    
2. If possible, have a first aid trained person in the area administer aid. Staff may offer items from Library first aid kits for a customer to use on him/herself or a family member.
    
3. Contact a supervisor, LSL or person in charge. Central staff should also call security at 503.969.2921. 
    
4. First aid kits are available in all library locations. All locations should have nitrile gloves and at least one Blood-Borne Pathogen kit, complete with instructions for safe disposal of blood or other bodily fluids. At locations where a day porter is not on duty, staff should contact Facilities Dispatch at 503.988.3779 for assistance in cleaning up body-fluids.  Day porters have been trained to clean areas contaminated by body fluids.  If an employee or on-duty volunteer has bare skin exposed to potential blood-borne pathogens or sustains a needle stick, contact the 24/7 Nurse Triage Care Center (844-296-5159). 
    
5. Ask the injured or ill individual for his/her name, and, if necessary, a family member or doctor. If he/she wants, call an ambulance or taxi.
    
6. If the individual is unconscious, look on his/her arm or neck for a "Medic Alert" tag with the standard physicians' symbol which may give a clue to the person's condition.
    
7. If necessary, call 9-911 for an ambulance. Give the exact location of the injured person, your name, the name and address of your location, and as much information about the incident as you know. If you think an ambulance should be called but the injured or ill person says they don't need it, err on the side of safety and phone 9-911. If staff call 9-911, inform the individual of the call and stay with them until help arrives. EMTs that respond to the emergency call will be better able to explain treatment options and considerations to the customer. Staff should never drive someone who become ill or injured at their worksite to the hospital.  They should be transported by appropriate medical personnel.
   
   At Central, have someone wait at the front and back doors to meet the ambulance personnel and take them to the accident scene.
    
8. Report all accidents or illnesses involving the public on the online Origami portal,  (must be logged into Origami to access this form). Staff (not the patron) must complete this form.  
   
   Any time treatment is offered and refused, document the offer and refusal on the Non-Security Incident report (branches) or PIC Report (Central). If a witness other than the individual offering the emergency services can document they witnessed the offer and refusal (or offer and acceptance), that should go in the report as well.
    
9. The Origami portal is to be used if Library property damages private property, e.g. a limb from a tree on Library property falls and damages a parked car.  It is also used to document if a patron's car damages Library property, e.g. someone drives their car through a fence or damages a Library building.