First aid supplies & meds checklist

agnes toejam · Jun 12, 2006

I too am going to be a camp nurse-only for a week though. I could use some tips for passing meds-where can I find the "old med trays with individual cup holders?" Putting them on a big tray doesn't work well, especially on a windy day.

karenbear · Jun 17, 2006

We use coin envelopes for passing meds and it has worked well for us for the past few summers. The outside of the envelope is labeled with the campers name, cabin number, counselor name and medications that are in the envelope (we use a different envelope for each med time) and then clip it shut with a paper clip. We can use the same envelope all week. You can get a big box of them at any office supply store.

nurse_nightingale · Aug 12, 2006

How do you use rubbing alcohol to dry up water in the ears? Maybe dip it in alchol with Q-tips and then use it? This is something good to know but have never tried it.

missninaRN · Aug 12, 2006

I like to use white Elmers glue for splinters. Dab a little on the spot, let it harden, and peel it off. The splinter almost always comes out attached to the glue.

seekeroflife · May 4, 2009

you guys have really helped with my job. i have had trouble stcking my supplies at camps for a while now i know what i need. great ideas people.

androrn · May 4, 2009

For supplies I would add a stethoscope---never know when someone's asthma will flare up. Also if there are any sports involved, splints of some sort. I love SAM splints for larger areas (arms and legs) and tongue depressors come in handy for finger splints, at least temporarily. I'm working a boy's camp for the 15th year and cannot survive without things for sports injuries.

Hope everyone has a great summer!!!

androrn · May 4, 2009

I too am going to be a camp nurse-only for a week though. I could use some tips for passing meds-where can I find the "old med trays with individual cup holders?" Putting them on a big tray doesn't work well, especially on a windy day.

In the past I have used egg trays that I got from our kitchen to hold the med cups. Just place them in the bottom of a plastic box with a lid with a handle and you have an easy way to transport meds. We currently have the boxes that you find in the craft dept that hold beads or threads, etc. The med cups can be sort of stacked in there for transport to the dining hall where we set them out.

Happy camping.

melonbelly7 · May 12, 2009

Thanks to everyone who posted ideas on this, I have been a nurse a long time but ive never been a camp nurse. Im working at a cub scout camp this summer and was feeling a little unprepared. but I feel better kowing that im not alone. I now have a good running list in my head of supplies and will check back often. thanks all.

Michigan · May 15, 2009

I don't understand why the meds are removed from bottles prior to the campers being present.

All meds brought to camp must be in original bottles. We double check the med, dose, and times with the bottle vs the consent paper. Any disagreements- we call the home. Any meds brought and not listed on form- call home (scary sometimes with what the kids bring). Meds not in labeled containers, are not allowed.

Campers and counselors are not allowed to have ANY meds in the dorms (exception- asthma inhalers, also epi pens, kept with the counsler after education how to use, with severe allergies, ). We then use large zip lock plastic bags to store them (one bag per camper) in a plastic container and we bring the container when we pass the meds. The camper takes meds as we watch.

Neveranurseagain, RN · May 17, 2009

I've worked camps where on the first day of camp, the meds are taken out of the original container, placed in an envelope, then the envelope marked with the name of med, day of the weeks and times of day. When camper shows up the meds are already sorted by am etc. All the am med envelopes are filed together alphabetical, noon meds are in a separate box etc. Med pass can go quicker that way--if you have 40 meds to give in the am it can take over an hr by leaving them in their original bottle. You also know instantly who didn't show up for their meds by how many envelopes you have left. It's not my favorite way of doing it as the margin for error is higher but when you work by yourself and have to pass 40 meds, hand out 10,000 bandaids and do sick call all in less than an hour ir helps.

If the camper leaves camp for a field trip then the meds are all ready to go too! But I do prefer to leave then in the original container.

Due to HIPPA, and to keep kids from being stigmatized, all kids must come to the infirmary and wait outside the door till the other kid leaves. We never take them to the dining hall or cabins.