Throwing up

Guests · Oct 10, 2017

I take it on a case by case basis. I have a couple of kids who throw up very easily, many times immediately after eating lunch b/c they eat too much and very quickly. Those kids always go back to class and just get a phone call. Others I will observe in my office for 20 minutes and see how they are acting/looking.

OldDude · Oct 10, 2017

You could never compile a complete list of things that make kids vomit so, obviously, a single episode of vomiting isn't necessarily caused by a contagious illness. That's where your assessment comes in. They are paying you to work in that capacity so they should adhere to your advice regarding such assessments.

Amethya · Oct 10, 2017

You could never compile a complete list of things that make kids vomit so, obviously, a single episode of vomiting isn't necessarily caused by a contagious illness. That's where your assessment comes in. They are paying you to work in that capacity so they should adhere to your advice regarding such assessments.

They been giving me attitude though lately, because right now she threw up and she felt fine. NO fever, so I sent her back to class. The front office just asked me why I sent her back, she's not sick. I explained to them that basically, the kid is fine. I already called her parents, but no one is answering. Unless she throws up again, then that's when it's an issue, but she hasn't.

OldDude · Oct 10, 2017

They been giving me attitude though lately, because right now she threw up and she felt fine. NO fever, so I sent her back to class. The front office just asked me why I sent her back, she's not sick. I explained to them that basically, the kid is fine. I already called her parents, but no one is answering. Unless she throws up again, then that's when it's an issue, but she hasn't.

Good enough...forget about it and move on.

Amethya · Oct 10, 2017

And now they called the dad to get her, but she's fine! It's like, why are they going over my judgement? The father called me and asked me if he should get her, but I told him no, unless she throws up again.

I already told my office manager to tell them that my decision is my decision, they aren't the medical aide, so they can't make that decision.

Guests · Oct 10, 2017

And now they called the dad to get her, but she's fine! It's like, why are they going over my judgement? The father called me and asked me if he should get her, but I told him no, unless she throws up again.
I already told my office manager to tell them that my decision is my decision, they aren't the medical aide, so they can't make that decision.

That's frustrating. I have had teachers do that where I have already spoken to the parent and then 30 minutes later the parent shows up saying the teacher called them to come pick up their kid. Makes me SO mad.

OhioBPH · Oct 10, 2017

And now they called the dad to get her, but she's fine! It's like, why are they going over my judgement? The father called me and asked me if he should get her, but I told him no, unless she throws up again.
I already told my office manager to tell them that my decision is my decision, they aren't the medical aide, so they can't make that decision.

In our organization (network that staffs over 30 districts) we track stats on "bypassed clinic/sent home by office" students to show the district, hey these 50 kids could have stayed in school all day, but they called or texted mom on their own or the office staff sent them home.

Jacquipals · Oct 10, 2017

Our policy states a child must go home if he/she vomits once. I think it's absurd but I just started so no change to the policy this year.

Amethya · Oct 10, 2017

Our policy doesn't state how many times.

One part of our handbook says, "If the student is vomiting, they must be sent home until they aren't in need of vomiting suppressing medication for 24 hours.", then we have that one part where they say, "vomiting is a reason to go home unless it can be attributed as non-illness related". Then the protocol slide show I got at my meeting in the beginning of the year, it says just to "call the parent/guardian".

But I had instances where the child threw up once, because they ran around, or ate too fast, etc. and they were fine after that. And I call the parents anyway, and some either say they're fine to keep at school or some say to wait and see how they're doing. I do the wait and see because I try to see how the student is and I know how busy some parents are to come get their children if they're sick.

This student did throw up on Friday, a lot! But when I called the father, he said that the mother said she ate too much, she packed so many snacks and tried to eat them all. I'm not sure what caused her to throw up today, but she didn't throw up much, just a bit.

I already called and asked my supervisor and I'm waiting for a response.

Amethya · Oct 10, 2017

That's frustrating. I have had teachers do that where I have already spoken to the parent and then 30 minutes later the parent shows up saying the teacher called them to come pick up their kid. Makes me SO mad.

This is why I talked to my office manager and spoke to my principal, that this wasn't the only time. Last year this happened too and now I'm told by the front office that there's gossip going around that I'm not doing my job, by the front office ladies. One example was :"You haven't been doing your lice checks." or "I was told you didn't send this kid home after vomiting". I don't let things bother me, but it makes me mad when I'm trying to do my job, but instead of communicating with me, they're talking behind my back. If there's something wrong, I want to know, because maybe I can explain or help.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Oct 10, 2017

I agree that it's really situational. There are times that I can tell that the child probably vomited because they didn't like the swing in OT, BUUUUT - they are covered in vomit to a point that I can't clean and need a shower so it's homeward bound. Do I really think they need the 24h exclusion? No, unless they vomit again. Will the parent tell me that they vomited again. No - never.

Like OD said, the times are too many to count that they will vomit and not necessarily need to go home - but just to list a few for fun: Other times that a kid does not need to go - fine before lunch and then sick after eating (vomited once and tolerated water); vomited after running, spit up phlegm, "I threw up in my mouth".