The Fatal Five’s Impact on Individuals with I/DD

Medical emergencies are inevitable, but some can potentially be avoided through building awareness and offering preventative education. Research shows there are five health conditions in individuals with I/DD that often go unrecognized and are linked to serious illness and preventable deaths in community-based settings. They are referred to as The Fatal Five: Aspiration, Constipation, Dehydration, Seizures, and Sepsis.

As more individuals with I/DD transition into community settings, support staff play a vital role in the lives of the people they care for. Knowing how to prevent, recognize and seek treatment for these select medical situations will not only improve the quality of their care, but may also save lives.

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
1:00 pm ET

Presented by:

Shauen Howard, DHA, MSN, RN, COS-C, Vice President of Clinical Services and Innovation, BrightSpring Health Services

Matthew J Palmer, PharmD, BCGP, Senior Director of Clinical Operations, PharMerica

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and understand the prevalence and impact of each fatal five condition.

2. Identify risk factors and early warning signs.

3. List commonly prescribed medications that impact the fatal five.

4. Learn prevention strategies and treatment.

5. Understand the role of the Direct Support Professional (DSP).

CE Statement:

This program has been approved for 1 participant hour of nursing continuing education, as well as by NAB/NCERS for nursing home administrators (approval # 20260929-1-A115141-DL) and by NABP for pharmacists (approval # 0854-0000-25-031-L01-P). Attendees must be in attendance for at least 50 minutes to receive credit.