Published Feb 1
Littlenurse01
4 Posts
Hi! I am an LPN in the state of PA for pediatric special needs. I go to school with my client at Easter Seals. He is wheelchair bound along with two other students. They are the only ones with complex care. My client also has a tracheostomy (he is 5). When it's cold out he does not like to go outside nor do the other two. The just sit in there wheelchairs and freeze while the other kids run around and play. Additionally my client has trouble breathing the cold air with his trach and ends up with a dry hoorifice sound due to the cold air narrowing his airway. I do cover his trach with an HME and his jacket. He always ends up getting a breathing treatment when we get home and humidification. I do not think it's fair that these kids have to suffer like this. I told them with me being his nurse and my nursing judgement that he should be outside. They go out if the weather is 25 degrees or more. I was told it's a state regulation and they have to go out. What can I do to prevent him from being outside that's causes respiratory distress? I would think there would be some sort of loop hole to protect kids like this. I did turn in a Dr note stating he doesn't need to go out in the cold but the school refused it because it didn't have a temperature range. Other schools told me that they never force their special needs outside for health reasons. I am beyond frustrated because it's uncalled for he should have to suffer like this and the other two have to go out to just sit in the cold. Looking for any suggestions and/or someone I can contact to hopefully get this rectified. Thank you! Nurses rock! ?
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
Get a doctors note with a temperature range.
That's what I am trying to do. I really want to try to school officials and dept of welfare to try to get the regulations changed for special needs instead of grouping them all in the same playing capabilities Thanks for your response