1st 911 call at my new school

[EnoughWithTheIce]

Backstory - student has asthma but no inhaler in clinic or plan on file. He continues to carry inhaler in his backpack even though mom has been told he does not have proper paperwork on file to be a self -carry. He has seen me 4 times before today -twice before school "asthma attack while walking to school" and twice called to the gym for "asthma attack." All 4 times, obvious panic attack and not asthma. Kid just shuts down hyperventilating. I am usually able to call him down, talk with mom, request asthma action plan and inhaler IN CLINIC because kid carries an inhaler but never has it where we can get to it during an "attack" and I refer to the counselor each time and I also as well as recommend further evaluation by pediatrician to get a definitive diagnosis, RINSE, REPEAT!!

Today, called to gym again. Presents just as before and PE coach and myself could not get under control. 20 minutes later he is still slumped over and just keeps saying "I can't. I can't." So, I called 911. He was still slumped over when EMS arrived and still chanting. Mind you, he had not even participated in PE at all when coach called me.

Mom arrived a few minutes later and he was transported to the hospital. Mom just texted me - he was fine by the time he arrived and it was not asthma related at all. But she blames the panic on running in PE and not wanting to take his Inhaler pre-exercise. So, give me an inhaler and a plan and he sees me on way to PE and we take that out of the equation. But, there is some major anxiety and maybe depression with this kid. I hope he gets the help he needs.

I think mom a little perturbed about the 911 call. But, what do you do - sit in the gym all afternoon until kid passes out??? In the back of my mind, I knew because of the non-response I have received from mom and the way the "attacks" have ben progressing that this day would happen and it did! It is sad that it sometimes takes an ambulance transport to get something done

On top of that!!! Mom is an ER nurse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OldDude]

What a mess. At least "IT" finally happened and you got it over with. Hopefully it'll compel mom to get off high-center and get a plan in place for school. Great assessment and intervention...I know you were reluctant to call EMS but you did the right thing. Fantastic job and fantastic advocate for the child!

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

You did what you had to do. Hopefully you get that inhaler!

In my experience, the parents who are medical professionals are usually the least likely to follow the rules. I have a parent who is a GP and often sends her 1st grader in with a bottle of Robitussin in her backpack or the child will come up to me and say "my mom said to come to you for Motrin at 11. I took some at 7 because I woke up with a fever." ?

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Rinse, repeat....mom gave you no choice. In the absence of any other resources, EMS it is. Good job!

[Glitternurse, LVN]

Great job, good thing you are there for this student. Hopefully you won't have to do it again (fingers crossed for you).

Maybe that ambulance bill will help mom get a plan in place at the health office.

[bsyrn, ASN, RN]

You did the right thing, hopefully Mom follows through. Can you go directly to his doctor to try and get an order? Sometimes that works for me.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Good call. I know that there are times that we know darn well that what we are seeing is clinically fine; no wheezing, pulse ox ok (unless the hyperventilating makes them blow off all their o2) and so on, but that we have to go through with the 9-1-1 to either A. calm them down and / or B. push the parent past that RINSE/ REPEAT point that we are all too familiar with. (i love that, btw)