Faculty Falls/Injuries

[KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN]

Hi all!

I just found out about a fall that occurred early this morning on a campus that I am not housed at. Because of this, I did not assess the teacher after their fall. The principal filled out our incident report form and then reached out to me this afternoon after our super told them to. I feel dumb for not knowing exactly what else I am expected to do from my end. No EMS called. Faculty member denied any injuries, stated they were OK, and stayed at school to teach all day. I have never been involved with worker's comp. Any advice? 

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

I only ever comment on employee injuries that I have personally evaluated. And my role ends with documenting. If I make a recommendation for MD eval, I make sure I document that on the accident report. I don't provide any follow up evaluation, etc. 

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

14 hours ago, k1p1ssk said:

I only ever comment on employee injuries that I have personally evaluated. And my role ends with documenting. If I make a recommendation for MD eval, I make sure I document that on the accident report. I don't provide any follow up evaluation, etc. 

Same. And for any worker's comp claim, they need follow up eval by a doctor so I always, always, say and note that I referred employee to their doctor if injury does not improve.

But I've had some staff incidents happen I'm not involved in. Like @k1p1ssk says, I do not comment on anything I do not personally evaluate. 

[ToddTheMechanic, EMT-I]

I don't work in the school environment nor am I a nurse, but I do work in the occupational health environment. I agree with the other posters — if I'm not the one involved in evaluating/managing an injury or illness, best I'll do is say "oh I'm sorry that happened" 

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I process the initial w/c claims for my district.  Our rule here is that any injury getting reported to me, no matter how insignificant, must be reported to the claim processing co.  So the teacher closing their finger in a filing cabinet or slipping and falling both get reported.  Even if they're not seeking treatment, we still have to file the paperwork and call it in as a report only.  Then if something develops out of it, they have 2 weeks to contact the w/c company.  It's a lengthy process - 3 forms and a 20-minute phone call, so there are times that staff will get a minor injury then avoid me like the plague so that they don't have to do it.  

[KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN]

Thank you all for your help! I didn't think I needed to do more but then I starting thinking I was forgetting something and was starting to panic a little because I had no clue what I could be forgetting. I appreciate you guys!

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

The nurse in our respective buildings are responsible for initial eval (if we are here) and filling out paperwork for workers comp. I always recommend follow up as needed. I send a copy to our central office and then wash my hands of it.

[AdobeRN]

I provide First Aid if needed and then direct the employee to our WC website or I print out the packet for them and tell them where to go for medical evaluation then my part of the process ends. 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

2 hours ago, Flare said:

  It's a lengthy process - 3 forms and a 20-minute phone call, so there are times that staff will get a minor injury then avoid me like the plague so that they don't have to do it.  

Maybe if FFs had to do paperwork they'd spend more time in class...?

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

20 hours ago, KeeperOfTheIceRN said:

Hi all!

I just found out about a fall that occurred early this morning on a campus that I am not housed at. Because of this, I did not assess the teacher after their fall. The principal filled out our incident report form and then reached out to me this afternoon after our super told them to.

Nope, you're not dumb. Fall happened outside your assigned area. You were not asked to assess or provide anything. Principal who might should have known better did not bother to call you til later. Even "later" I don't know if I would have run over to assess the staff because....what am I assessing? I'm assessing now, not six or 14 or whenever hours ago. 

What's the procedure for this in your district? I bet you will have an opportunity to re-educate someone....

[KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN]

4 hours ago, ruby_jane said:

Nope, you're not dumb. Fall happened outside your assigned area. You were not asked to assess or provide anything. Principal who might should have known better did not bother to call you til later. Even "later" I don't know if I would have run over to assess the staff because....what am I assessing? I'm assessing now, not six or 14 or whenever hours ago. 

What's the procedure for this in your district? I bet you will have an opportunity to re-educate someone....

If I'm present when the fall occurs, I assess, call EMS if needed, fill out the incident report, recommend MD follow up, and then report the fall to principal and super. They usually take it from there. I guess what threw me for a loop was that I was notified so long after it occurred that I was starting to talk myself into thinking I was supposed to do more??? I'm not really sure!