Difficult Parents...

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I have been a school nurse for 2 months now. I have had real difficulty with one parent lately. The order on her son's inhaler was written (on the box) as "Take 5 times daily for cough while running" She got so angry with me today because I told her that our county has a policy for clarification when an order is not specific enough. Am I crazy--isn't 5 times daily not specific enough? I mean, 5 times in a 24 hour period, 5 times in a school day, etc? please tell me your thoughts. I feel like I am running into so many situations like this...and seem to have a parent get angry with me too often. I sometimes feel like I'm darned if I do, darned if I don't...

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Specializes in Pedi.

Eh, some parents are just insane and you can't please them no matter what. Mom can do what she wants while the kid is at home but I'd seek clarification too. I don't take orders from parents.

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That really does seem like a lot and definitely something to clarify with primary if you have some pause. Plus if the student needs albuterol that often (im assuming thats what it is?) what else is the student taking at home? Any preventives?

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

in my state, i don't take orders from boxes and pharmacy labels - i take them from doctors. I've atteched a copy of the asthma action plan that we commonly use in my state. I like the layout, no room for discussion, unless something is not checked off like permission to self admin.

asthma action plan.pdf

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.
I have been a school nurse for 2 months now. I have had real difficulty with one parent lately. The order on her son's inhaler was written (on the box) as "Take 5 times daily for cough while running" She got so angry with me today because I told her that our county has a policy for clarification when an order is not specific enough. Am I crazy--isn't 5 times daily not specific enough? I mean 5 times in a 24 hour period, 5 times in a school day, etc? please tell me your thoughts. I feel like I am running into so many situations like this...and seem to have a parent get angry with me too often. I sometimes feel like I'm darned if I do, darned if I don't...[/quote']

Can you call the physicians office to clarify whatever you feel is not cleat enough?

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We have to have written orders from their dr, and signed by the parent that it's okay to give. It has to be a true order too - not just the name of the drug or something. If the student has a HIPAA form on file (most do) i'll just call or fax their dr's office a lot of times and request the exact order myself. Most pediatricians around here are used to it and get back to me quickly.

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Specializes in kids.
We have to have written orders from their dr, and signed by the parent that it's okay to give. It has to be a true order too - not just the name of the drug or something. If the student has a HIPAA form on file (most do) i'll just call or fax their dr's office a lot of times and request the exact order myself. Most pediatricians around here are used to it and get back to me quickly.

Can you post your form?

Please and Thank you!

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sounds like a clear PRN order to me. He can have it up to 5X a day when he runs. I doubt he has five recesses or gym classes a day so it wouldn't be a problem.

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5 Times a day but how much time in between? Yep, needs clarification.

I like your Asthma Treatment Plan - but it has New Jersey all over it. I'd probably have to adapt it to my state. I hate doing stuff like that. I'm so very bad at it.

(I wonder if the American Lung Association has one of these for each state?).

Oh wait a minute . . I see something on the bottom that says "Permission to reproduce blank form" . . . .I'll go check that out.

Edit again . . .nope, still says "New Jersey".

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I found one in California - I like it better. Not quite as busy. Thanks for making me do some research.

California Breathing - Toolkit for Schools

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let me see if i can find it on the computer (i'm new!) the hipaa is usually signed when they register so it doesn't come from our office, usually.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
5 Times a day but how much time in between? Yep needs clarification. I like your Asthma Treatment Plan - but it has New Jersey all over it. I'd probably have to adapt it to my state. I hate doing stuff like that. I'm so very bad at it. (I wonder if the American Lung Association has one of these for each state?). Oh wait a minute . . I see something on the bottom that says "Permission to reproduce blank form" . . . .I'll go check that out. Edit again . . .nope, still says "New Jersey".[/quote']

Check the allergy & asthma network/mothers of asthmatics. I think in school section of site. They had a generic blank form similar to NJ

http://www.aanma.org

Here are some more: http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/tools_for_control.htm

http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/asthma/taking-control-of-asthma/create-an-asthma-management-plan.html

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