School Clinic Door

k1p1ssk, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2023

100-150 visits per day?!? How do you get the charting done? I struggle when I see 30 kids... and that's all on top of dealing with your door situation!? You are a force to be reckoned with, I can tell.

Just to clarify, it's the hallway door that has to be kept shut and locked? What is the safety reasoning for that - in the event of an intruder? Are all of the classroom doors shut and locked at all times, too?

I would time how long it takes to go open the door for a kid and multiply that x2 (entry and exit) and then multiply x150 and demonstrate to admin how much time you are wasting just opening and closing a door.

I would also bring up the point that with the door closed and locked, you are not necessarily able to run out of your office to an emergency. I'm envisioning the kid who is having an asthma attack and is sent to you, but cannot manage to knock on the door... I imagine your school is busy enough that kids aren't going to go unseen for long, but still. And what if you get called to an emergency but need something from your office - now someone is going to have to deal with the door to get back in? IMO, the health office should be an open, welcoming place and a big, heavy, locked door without windows is a barrier to care.

I personally have an open door policy. My door only gets shut when I need to have a private conversation or if I am going to be gone from it for an extended period of time.

Red Shirt 6, CNA · Apr 11, 2023

The school may be in violation of ADA requirements.

k1p1ssk, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2023

Red Shirt 6 said:

The school may be in violation of ADA requirements.

This is also a good point!!

Eleven011 · Apr 11, 2023

I have pretty much the same office set up - back door to the office, front door into the main hallway. I only shut the main hallway door if I am gone, or at lunch. I can't imagine opening and shutting it all day long! I don't understand safety reasons? People have to be cleared to enter the building through the main offices, so its not like there will be meandering visitors out there. And if its to keep students out....if they knock....I'd let them in?? Not sure of the reasoning there.

scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 11, 2023

When I had a set up like that at another school my hallway door was open unless I wasn't there.

Also, you need to cut down that amount of visits! That is insane! I'm not sure why you have so many, but you need to set limits with the teachers. That is out of control. Why so many?

icepackstat, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2023

I would request that all the students go through the office and into your office that way. Admin will be able to see how busy you are and the door can stay open.

AshlyMRN, RN · Apr 18, 2023

That's actually what we started doing and it's so much better ?

londonflo · Nov 22

k1p1ssk said:

I'm envisioning the kid who is having an asthma attack and is sent to you, but cannot manage to knock on the door... I

would a teacher ask a student having an asthma attack to walk to your office? Wouldn't the teacher telephone to get you and the student together without using the student's depleted oxygen supply to meet up? I am only asking because when I have an asthma attack, good meaning people keep asking me "Can I get you water?" "do you want to sit down?" etc. I am trying to answer but can't.

k1p1ssk, BSN, RN · Nov 22

londonflo said:

would a teacher ask a student having an asthma attack to walk to your office? Wouldn't the teacher telephone to get you and the student together without using the student's depleted oxygen supply to meet up? I am only asking because when I have an asthma attack, good meaning people keep asking me "Can I get you water?" "do you want to sit down?" etc. I am trying to answer but can't.

You'd be surprised by what gets sent, unaccompanied, to the health office. The teachers go through basic trainings at the beginning of each year, and yet somehow, when faced with these situations, all their knowledge seems to fly out of the window. I will re-educate every time, but in general, I think there is a sense among the teachers that it is not their job to know what is and is not a real problem. It's the same reason why so many kids get sent down with incredibly minor problems, like paper cuts. So yes, there is a real chance that a student with an active asthma attack may be sent to walk by themselves.

jbassLPN, LPN · Nov 22

Is there a reason students can't just go through the main office? Maybe having that many kids in and out of the main office will be a wake up call to how much you are actually doing on top of any paperwork, documenting, phone calls etc.

londonflo · Nov 25

k1p1ssk said:

You'd be surprised by what gets sent, unaccompanied, to the health office. The teachers go through basic trainings at the beginning of each year, and yet somehow, when faced with these situations, all their knowledge seems to fly out of the window. I will re-educate every time, but in general, I think there is a sense among the teachers that it is not their job to know what is and is not a real problem.

I am sorry you work in such a sorry school that would send a student to you with a paper cut but not accompany a student who is having respiratory problems...in fact not getting enough oxygen. I personally would not work there and neither should you. Well, then you have a job in front of you starting January 1. Meet with every teacher and explain the basics of sustaining human life—-Airway/breathing/resuscitation. In my state, every certified teacher has to take a health class. Your state does not have this requirement? Then your job (if you believe in your job as patient advocate...even in children) is to draft a form letter asking every state (your state) representative to require a health class for all teachers and a review every 3 years. AND CPR training. GOT IT?