Incident-Response Flowchart — First 24 Hours

Follow these steps in order. Most homes handle the first hour but skip the follow-up with the resident and the team debrief — those two steps prevent the next incident.

Hour 1 — Safety and dignity

Ensure the targeted person is safe and supported. Separate parties if needed. Do not minimize what happened. Intervene calmly in the moment: "We don’t speak about people that way here."

Hour 1–4 — Care for the person targeted

Check in privately. Ask how they are and what would help. Arrange follow-up: emotional support, change of seating or room if they want it. Tell them what you will do next.

Same day — Document

Write down who, what, when, where, witnesses, and your response — factually, without opinion. Use the standard incident form.

Same day — Notify

Report through your incident process. Inform the Director of Care or Administrator. Follow any mandatory-reporting steps for your province.

Within 24 hours — Debrief

Hold a short team huddle. Name what happened and what was done. Ask what staff saw and what would help next time. Assign follow-up training or policy review.

Within 1 week — Follow up

Check back with the targeted resident. Review whether the person who caused harm needs support, supervision, or a care-plan review. Confirm any training or policy changes are scheduled.