Potty Accidents in School

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

Hello School Nurses,

Please read and respond as to what you all do out there:

I am constantly bombarded with teachers sending kids to me who have "pooped" their pants. I certainly do not mind helping a kid who has had an accident, but when there is an aide in the classroom and the child has extra clothing in their cubby box in the class, why does the nurse have to be the expert on "code browns" in the building. Do you all clean the kids up or do you call the parent to come take them home for a tub bath? I do not have the facilities to lay a child down and clean them thoroughly, nor do I want to do this. In the day and time we live in, I think it is risky and I would never place myself in a position where anyone would question what I am doing. So I put the responsibility on the parent. Please let me know how you out there handle this situation. Thanks very much ! :)

[smk1, LPN]

i am not a nurse yet but i was a school health assistant for 3 years, and encountered this. Because it was a regular daily thing for this kindergartener to "poop" her pants, and the nurse, pediatrician deemed it non-medical, the grandma was called to come and help her clean up. The school counselor was involved to try and help with the psycho social issues that were going on with the child (family had a lot of issues). I was VERY concerened about cleaning and touching private parts in general on the kids and because all of our supervisors were very vague, and non comittal as to what was acceptable, i said no way until i could be shown in writing where i am allowed to do this and to what degree, and i stated if i had to, then i would need to have a witness present everytime. (secretary or nurse or teacher) I also brought up the issue of whether or not this was truly a "nursing" function as it had not been deemed a "health" issue and the nurses office was becoming a "dumping" ground of sorts for stuff no one else wanted to deal with. In short she came to the office everyday and grandma was called in to clean her up, and the nurses office took no part in it. If it were just an "accident" i would call a parent to bring some clothes and then they can help clean the kid up or take them home for a bath. If you do end up having to deal with the clean up, I would make sure there was a witness and document, you can never be too careful.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

i am not a nurse yet but i was a school health assistant for 3 years, and encountered this. Because it was a regular daily thing for this kindergartener to "poop" her pants, and the nurse, pediatrician deemed it non-medical, the grandma was called to come and help her clean up. The school counselor was involved to try and help with the psycho social issues that were going on with the child (family had a lot of issues). I was VERY concerened about cleaning and touching private parts in general on the kids and because all of our supervisors were very vague, and non comittal as to what was acceptable, i said no way until i could be shown in writing where i am allowed to do this and to what degree, and i stated if i had to, then i would need to have a witness present everytime. (secretary or nurse or teacher) I also brought up the issue of whether or not this was truly a "nursing" function as it had not been deemed a "health" issue and the nurses office was becoming a "dumping" ground of sorts for stuff no one else wanted to deal with. In short she came to the office everyday and grandma was called in to clean her up, and the nurses office took no part in it. If it were just an "accident" i would call a parent to bring some clothes and then they can help clean the kid up or take them home for a bath. If you do end up having to deal with the clean up, I would make sure there was a witness and document, you can never be too careful.

Hey SMK1,

Thanks for your response, it helps knowing that I am not alone on this subject. Yes, I always have an adult witness with me if I ever need to do any clean up of a student who's parents I cannot reach. I do like your approach, thanks. Other things we get are: fix broken glasses, repair ripped clothing, remove gum from hair, etc...it never ends ! Teachers also can be very obnoxious, almost demanding that I tell the parent to keep a child home because of a mild cough.. After 13 years, I have gotten brave enough to just tell the teacher to deal with it... You gotta love this job...every day is a new experience ! Again, thanks for the response and ideas.