Emergency Choking Devices Rolled Out Across Our Care Homes
As part of our commitment to resident safety, we have recently invested in a number of emergency choking devices, which will be deployed across our care homes in Staffordshire and Cheshire.
The Dechoker Airway Clearance Device is designed to remove food, liquid or other obstructions from a person’s airway quickly and safely. It is particularly helpful for administering first aid to individuals with limited mobility.
Preserving The Safety Of Residents
As a care provider, we are aware of the increased risk of choking in some individuals over 65 years, particularly those who have health conditions such as COPD and dementia or have experienced a stroke. According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), between 2014 and 2018 there were 478 choking related deaths in adult care across England and Wales, with the most common cause being food.
It is therefore imperative that measures are taken to allow for our team to quickly and safely clear an obstruction. The Dechoker is an innovative device which does that. Since its release, it has had a huge impact on statistics, with the number of choking deaths in the sector now sitting at their lowest in 5 years.
From now on, there will be Dechoker devices at all of our care homes across Cheshire and Staffordshire. As well as this, a number of devices have been purchased which will be kept in our minibuses, which are used to take residents out on day trips.
Investing In Our Team
Our Operations Director, Debbie Baker, commented: “We are committed to investing money, time and resources into lifesaving technologies that help us in keeping residents safe and well. The Dechoker is an innovative device that will allow staff to confidently and competently administer first aid in the event of choking.”
As well as investing in a number of Dechoker devices, key staff members have also undertaken a ‘Train the Trainer’ course which will allow them to teach other team members how to use the device. This will be used alongside Dechoker UK’s own eLearning platform and annual refresher training to ensure all staff are up-to-date in using the devices.
Dedicated, Professional Care From Lovett Care
At Lovett Care, we are committed to providing adult care provision for individuals over 65 that is safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well-led. We specialise in residential care, dementia care, respite and day care across our care homes: Twyford House, Charlotte House, Regency Care Centre, and Hilton House. To find out more, please contact us today or book an experience day at any of our care homes.
