Another toileting accident vent

Specialties School

Published

Wow, today was a very long day. I had two students with a stomach virus and both of whom threw up on themselves while laying down. One who stepped on a nail (ouch, not exactly sure about how that happene, but he was ok) and this next one really topped it off for the day: one pooped in her pants. She walks in not intending to tell me about the accident but to get her meds. When she put out her hand to get the pill, she had poop on her fingers! Yuck! When I asked her what happened she said that she did it during recess but she was too scared to tell anyone, so she tells me that she just kept playing until the bell rang to come back in and she came straight from the playground to my office. She must have been sitting in it for the whole 30 minutes recess was in session. So i gave her some loaner clothes, wipes and a bag, and called her guardian to come clean her up. The worst part about it was that when her guardian came, she discovered that she was just standing in the bathroom, and didn't even begin to change (yes, I did ask her if she was ok to clean up without help and she said yes. So now I have to meet with my supervisor and the student's guardian tomorrow to discuss the issue.This is a new school and school system so their isn't necessarily a policy on accidents, I was told by my nursing supervisor that if it was necessary and it's only with pre-k, kindergarten and first graders only, a student can be helped with clean up ONLY if there is another staff member the same gender as the student and that I document everything that I do. Being a new health assistant, I don't have all the experience in the world with these issues (as it didnt happen often enough) What exactly am I supposed to document? These days I'm just very cautious about these things. The student is in kindergarten by the way. So that was my day, pretty crazy. Honestly I think I'll make a transfer to a middle school when I'm eligible to do so.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

just document what happened. Student incont of stool - did not report - was discovered appox 30 minutes later - change of clothing given and wipes given and student advised to clean self up. When i worked in the K only school, i had a reasonable expectation that the k students could change and clean selves up - i'd imagine your students could probably manage as well.

I am not sure what the issue was that the guardian was upset with - the fact that the student was instructed to clean herself up? Unless it's a special needs population, then that is a typical request. Also - it sounds like you put it back on the guardian by telling her she would need to clean the child up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I will have to see If there was a meeting between her guardian and the principal. I haven't heard of anything about it so far..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The only thing that she was angry about was that she hadn't even tried to clean up at all. I don't have a problem with helping a child who an accident at all, I'm just extremely cautious about all the accusations going around these days.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Please clarify - she was angry who hadn't cleaned the child up? You? Due to the young age, I would have helped. However, I would make darned sure that the door was left cracked open at bit, and that I had another female staff person in the bathroom with me to witness the whole episode. Then document as indicated above. You would not believe some of the accusations some people will make.....

CYA!!!

mc3:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment