Emergency communication from staff

[Windchaser22]

Seems like many staff members are unaware of the definitions of emergent or urgent when relaying info from the field. For example getting hit in the throat is not a neck injury nor is a scratch on the head a head injury. A stomach ache after running or bleeding from a minor laceration should not be verbalized in a way that makes me clear the office and run.

I get it that they are not medical people but geez the PE teachers did take A&P for Petes sake and should know some basics since they are also health teachers.

So, I've started putting together a training manual defining emergent, urgent, and non urgent issues and about how to communicate those issues with the school nurse.

My question to you all is do you train the staff to communicate potential emergent or urgent issues correctly and completely? Do the staff bother to listen? Do you have the same issue? Just wondering.

[kidzcare]

Like the song from Scrubs says "everything comes down to poo."

I loved everything about that episode!!

[morte, LPN, LVN]

I think some of this is related to smaller families.... you don't get to see the variety of minor ailments and how they should be handled.

[newnurse92]

I love this visual and will definitely use it during an in-service with the teachers. Thanks for posting!

[Ddoyle]

How about the times it IS an emergency?

Had a parent witness a student pass out in the morning. CALMLY came to my office and stated she saw a child feint and fall to the ground right outside my office, and that I should come out.

Turns out he had asthma and 75% SpO2 sat and bilateral wheezing.

Most calm parent reaction, but wasn't his parent.

I like the "so and so threw up during lunch."

"did you see her throw up?"

"no, but I saw her dry heave into the trash."

"so she didn't throw up?"

"yes she did"

Kid gets to my office, "did you throw up?"

"no, I was just dry heaving because of the food."

And sent back to class.

[Ddoyle]

OR

My stomach hurts, I feel like throwing up. By the way, what time is it?

"It's 12:15 (recess time)"

"I feel so much better! Can I go now?"