First 911 call

CalNevaMimi, LPN, LVN · Oct 16, 2015

Excellent job. Here is another example that we do more than put on bandaids and give out ice packs. Hopefully your student will receive the help she needs, thanks to you. High five. Hope your weekend is peaceful and pleasant.

SnowyJ, RN · Oct 17, 2015

This is interesting. We have an actual policy for this at our district. It involves our Psychologist evaluating the student and filling out a form, then the parents have to agree to immediate;y take the student to a facility that can help. We are not supposed to activate EMS.

Had to follow the policy last year when a 5th grader voiced suicidal thoughts to me.

I kind of like the idea of 911, but would worry in case insurance didn't pay for it. (?) But of course, the safety of the student has to be the priority.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2015

This is interesting. We have an actual policy for this at our district. It involves our Psychologist evaluating the student and filling out a form, then the parents have to agree to immediate;y take the student to a facility that can help. We are not supposed to activate EMS.
Had to follow the policy last year when a 5th grader voiced suicidal thoughts to me.
I kind of like the idea of 911, but would worry in case insurance didn't pay for it. (?) But of course, the safety of the student has to be the priority.

It really varies by state, and even then, by district. I have a school psychologist and counselor on staff and consult them both when this occurred and they actually do all the paperwork and phone calls - and sadly, it happens more often than I wish. There are factors at play, including if the student has an active plan or not. Parents are always notified.

In my state, the major state insurance carrier does cover this type of EMS call. We've made it - it is usually the silent call, no sirens, they come in the side door, quietly escort them out. Of course, it isn't always quiet, of course. There are some private insurances that do not cover this.

ohiobobcat · Oct 19, 2015

First, I am glad that student is getting the help she needs. Good job!

In my district, I would refer this student to guidance with a personal escort (me) to ensure the student ends up in guidance and the proper information is passed on. Then they will call Crisis- which is a statewide crisis response team that will send someone directly to the school to assess this student. Parents/guardians are called. Then crisis makes a recommendation for treatment, either inpatient psych admission, a crisis house, or connection with outpatient services.

The only time I would feel it necessary to call EMS is if the student is out of control or has already injured him/herself beyond what I feel comfortable treating in my office.

It's interesting to see how other schools handle this kind of situation. If guidance wasn't available or busy, I would make the call to Crisis myself.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Oct 19, 2015

First, I am glad that student is getting the help she needs. Good job!
In my district, I would refer this student to guidance with a personal escort (me) to ensure the student ends up in guidance and the proper information is passed on. Then they will call Crisis- which is a statewide crisis response team that will send someone directly to the school to assess this student. Parents/guardians are called. Then crisis makes a recommendation for treatment, either inpatient psych admission, a crisis house, or connection with outpatient services.
The only time I would feel it necessary to call EMS is if the student is out of control or has already injured him/herself beyond what I feel comfortable treating in my office.
It's interesting to see how other schools handle this kind of situation. If guidance wasn't available or busy, I would make the call to Crisis myself.

That is sort of how we handle it, but we don't have a person to come to the school, we call the parent/guardian and advise they need to be evaluated and will not be allowed to reenter without a note from the evaluator stating they are safe to be in school. In extreme cases 911 would be activated (usually only for an injury).

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Oct 20, 2015

I am the only licensed staff here. I get all the anxiety kids to decompress, a learning curve, for sure. Sadly a LCSW was here last year but was unable to return. The child attempted 6 months ago and used classmates to spread the word of it. The SW did nothing at that point, and I was brand new and a day late. Our state law requires us to report age 65 abuse and all attempts to harm oneself. I didn't have an option.