DNR in public school

Published

Specializes in endcrinology, peds.

I am interested in finding out if any of your schools systems do not recgnize a DNR status during school hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I am interested in the question but I'm having trouble imagining under what circumstances someone with a DNR would be attending school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

In my district, "school health personnel and others who have been trained in CPR are expected to administer first aide including life saving or resuscitation procedures".

Also the "board takes the position that it's paramout responsibility is to protect the health and well being of all students and staff"

it goes on to say that "great emotional trauma could result to students and staff if school personal are required to stand by, unable to render aid to a student in distress'"

"once transportation of the student from the school to an emergency room or medical facility begins. Do Not Resuscitate Order(s) shall become the responsibility of parents and physicians"

so a "DRN" Does not stand in my district!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't have any DNRs on file. I guess I will cross that bridge if I come to it. I'm assuming it would have to be a critically ill child for that to even exist. Or someone over the age of 18.

OP: Do you have a student with one?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in endcrinology, peds.

Several years ago we did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am also thinking staff? None of my staff has a DNR on file.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Several years ago we did.

What was the general scenario there?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.

DNR/Comfort Care can be written and followed in the some public school systems in MA, though it depends on the district to come up with the plan.

Here are the Mass gov guidelines, if curious:

Public Health OEMS Comfort Care Children.

I imagine it may vary by state/district/etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in endcrinology, peds.

I should clarify- a DNR for a student.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, C-NPT, FP-C.

I'm not a school nurse, but from an EMS perspective I was called out a few years ago to a middle school for a teacher that suffered a cardiac event. When we arrived he had a DNR wristband on and it was valid. The administration demanded that we not honor the DNR because they expect any emergency to be transported out. No school nurse was there to give any info, and we wound up leaving him in care of PD until the funeral home arrived. After that, the school put a policy in place for persons w/ DNRs, but that first time was a mess.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nurse.

I was told in NJ DNRs are to be followed in the school setting. It's a medical order after all. I can imagine a scenario of a child with terminal Ca or duchennes MD etc that might attend school while feeling ok and still have a DNR.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

DNRs are common for medically complex, fragile kids - yes they still attend school, activities, etc.

Of course the DNR should be honored.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion