The Country Meadows’ Emergency Response Policy

Per state regulations in Pennsylvania and Maryland, retirement communities are required to have CPR-certified co-workers on site 24-hours a day, in personal care, assisted living and skilled nursing levels of care. In fact, most Country Meadows personal care associates are CPR certified and training opportunities are regularly provided to co-workers. In the event of an emergency, our policy directs co-workers to immediately call 911 and begin appropriate life-saving procedures which may or may not include CPR. Our independent living communities are exempt from this requirement; however, per our policy, trained co-workers from Country Meadows aforementioned care levels are directed to respond to provide appropriate emergency response on campus.

There is an exception: In some cases a resident may have a Do Not Resuscitate order, also known as a DNR. A DNR is a legal order written by a physician to respect the wishes of the person to not undergo CPR or advanced cardiac life support if his/her heart were to stop or he/she were to stop breathing. A resident with a DNR is asked to wear a medical bracelet stating his/her wishes so procedures such as CPR are not administered. If no bracelet is visible, appropriate life-saving measures will be attempted.

If you have further questions about our policy, please contact us. For information on how to obtain a DNR, speak to the your primary care physician who must initiate the process.