I have a nagging dilemma regarding an accident

Specialties School

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I started working at my school in February. Some time in March I had a child brought to me because she fell in the playground on her own, wasn't pushed, and broke her wrist. When the child was brought to me, the teacher was beside her the entire time, and I gave her ice and kept her wrist straight without a splint. I called the mom to come pick up the child to take to the ER. The mother picked up the phone right away and was able to come within a half hour.

Fast forward to a month later, the mom starts asking the school administration for an incident report. The prinicipal then forwarded this request to me, which made me very concerned for the school and for myself, so I took matters into my own hands and went to my other boss whom I report to, the Safety Manager, a move which I now regret. I asked her how we should approach this and she told me I should hand over to the mother my online nursing treatment notes which is erroneously titled an 'incident report' on the software, although, it's really my treatment notes. So, when she suggested this, I had to explain to my boss explicitly that those were my nursing treatment notes and not an actual accident report and I told her I was concerned of potential lawsuits. I still do not know what the mother wants the accident report for. There was a separate incident report written by a teacher who was there at the scene and I insisted, that is probably the better and 'safer' choice to give to the parent. After going back and forth with my boss, she contacted her off site boss who went to consult with the company lawyer and supposedly the lawyers are saying that it is indeed my nursing notes that should be handed over to the mother. I am really beyond baffled about all this. Never in 3 years of working as a school nurse have I ever been asked to hand over my nursing notes to a parent, who is, btw, a nurse herself. I just foresee some bad things happening. The family, btw, is having some legal and financial problems themselves.

I feel like I'm being thrown in the lion's den by my own boss and all I hear is her laughing her way through the halls. This is an international school and they're not well versed on American law or culture one bit. I smell disaster and I'm ticked off.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN

2,776 Posts

Specializes in school nurse.

I wouldn't release anything myself, but have the bosses do so if they thought appropriate. Try to do as much of this communication with the powers that be in emails so you have an electronic record. Also, are you in a union? If so, might be a good idea to give your rep a heads up.

NutmeggeRN, BSN

2 Articles; 4,620 Posts

Specializes in kids.

And contact your provider as an FYI (if you have it).

Good Luck!

OldDude

1 Article; 4,787 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

An incident report can come in any form, it can be something jotted on a paper towel. So put that issue to bed.

If "bad" things happen, how could you withholding your treatment notes change the course of that? If "bad" things happen the court will order you to turn them over anyway. The parent does have a right to obtain information regarding their child.

If you're worried about being second guessed about your treatment of the incident you might as well not worry. If it goes "bad" everyone will be second guessed and questioned about everything.

I would print the stuff up, mark it confidential, and give it to my principal to take responsibility for beyond that. Wash your hands of it until a subpoena or your school attorney shows up...or nothing ever comes of it.

arnoldlayne

11 Posts

Btw, I really think it's my boss sneakily trying to push me to be the fall guy, even though nothing was done wrong on any end. What she did tell me at one point was that the reason behind her not wanting to give the 'real' incident report was because it was written very unprofessionally by the teacher.

OldDude

1 Article; 4,787 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Btw, I really think it's my boss sneakily trying to push me to be the fall guy, even though nothing was done wrong on any end. What she did tell me at one point was that the reason behind her not wanting to give the 'real' incident report was because it was written very unprofessionally by the teacher.

Oh well...not your problem.

Specializes in Med-surg, school nursing..

I do an accident report on anything that I feel could potentially turn into a doctors visit, sprains, head injuries, etc. Mainly to cover my own tookas, but also the schools.

Also, if our students are covered by Student Accident Insurance and the incident happened at school, it will likely be covered as long as the form is filled out. That could be why she wants the form, because it happened at school and she feels the school should (literally) pay for it.

Just my thinking, best of luck.

SnowyJ, RN

844 Posts

In our district, and child with a fracture or other ER/Urgent care worthy issue gets insurance forms since we are covered for injuries that happened at school. I also file an incident report that is sent to both our insurance carrier and our district rep. Our insurance is supplemental, unless a family is not insured, then it works as primary.

We also document in the visit log in the computer.

Call your school district rep to find out if your school is covered. MOST are! Mom may only be looking for some info on this.

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

In our district, and child with a fracture or other ER/Urgent care worthy issue gets insurance forms since we are covered for injuries that happened at school. I also file an incident report that is sent to both our insurance carrier and our district rep. Our insurance is supplemental, unless a family is not insured, then it works as primary.

We also document in the visit log in the computer.

Call your school district rep to find out if your school is covered. MOST are! Mom may only be looking for some info on this.

Exactly this. I have had to give copies of IRs for reimbursement. it is no big deal.

If the teacher filled out the IR, then she should send it.

I was thinking insurance too. Any accident which happens at school, the school insurance covers what your private insurance does not. I wouldn't read too much into it. I have an accident report that gets filled out on anything I refer to a Dr or is serious enough that they may need medical care outside of school related to the incident. I would provide your administration what you have and let them release what they want.

zombieghoast

410 Posts

I have had this happen before where the parent came in asking for an accident report (just had a little one broke his elbow) and when I told her we could not she said she has never heard of a company not being able to give out an accident report. I informed her hospitals do not give out accident reports either. Luckily the principal had my back and she was told to call the head of insurance for more information.

bell1962

345 Posts

Specializes in family practice and school nursing.

Exactly this

I was thinking insurance too. Any accident which happens at school, the school insurance covers what your private insurance does not. I wouldn't read too much into it. I have an accident report that gets filled out on anything I refer to a Dr or is serious enough that they may need medical care outside of school related to the incident. I would provide your administration what you have and let them release what they want.
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