medically fragile child in cold weather (cross-post)

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Specializes in corrections, MH, geriatrics.

This was originally posted in the school nurse forum, however, I want to post it here also because I might have a better chance of getting a reply. (I am pasting original message).

Alright. I don't want to feed too much of my own opinion into this one, because I am worn out from discussing it this morning at work with administration.

Please give me your opinion/advice:

(Very) medically fragile child, not often awake or alert during school day, with a one on one nurse required on bus and at school per IEP.

Today (and tomorrow most likely) winter weather advisory, temp high will be -4 and with the wind chill it is expected to feel -40 (yes, forty).

Mom called nurse at home last night to make sure that bus will be coming because driver had suggested day before that maybe the child should stay home next two days. (whether that was ok for the driver to suggest is not my concern honestly).

Would you say something to the mother? Would you allow the child to be transpoirted on the bus these two days.

By the way, the nurse is on the bus in case the child needs to be suctioned. Child no longer has a trach, but secretions get tenacious periodically requiring deep suctioning of the airway.

Please discuss...

Thank you for reading!

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

I can only answer from my gut instinct as a mother, and as a nurse. I would keep the kid home. Heck, I might keep my perfectly healthy kid home on a day like that. I would love to keep myself home on a day like that.

My two cents? The kid should stay home. And do you live in an area where this kind of winter weather is customary? I can't imagine why the mother would WANT her medically fragile child in that kind of weather.

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Specializes in corrections, MH, geriatrics.

We are in fabulous Chicago, IL. The weather advisories are all over the TV and radio. The child is one of a handful that actually came to school today. If the child lived in a group home and not at home with the parents, I can guarantee the child would be absent today.

Thanks for your response.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I think this is a decision only the mum can make

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Specializes in corrections, MH, geriatrics.

Thats what my non-child having gut told me. Thanks.

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