Teacher's aides emptying/changing colostomy bag - safe? reasonable?

[systoly]

An acquaintance, a teacher's aide at a high school, asked for my input on her new duty which involves the emptying and changing, if necessary, of a special ed student's colostomy bag. The training was provided by another aide who, in turn, was trained by a family member. While it quickly became obvious that training was inadequate, I'm not sure what to make of the whole thing. Do you think it would be reasonable and safe provided adequate training could be secured?

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

If I were a teacher (and I actually considered teaching instead of nursing), I would be furious. Teachers are being expected to do all sorts of nursing skills lately d/t the integration of special needs students. Not to mention they're supposed to be cops, social workers, etc.

Teachers are in schools to teach, period.

Why can't this student be responsible for caring for his own bag? Is he not competent to do it himself?

I think the OP mentioned the student has special needs..

One of my co-workers is also a special-ed teacher. She says that she oftentimes has to change her student's incotinence briefs. I know that changing a colostomy bag isn't rocket science, but like another poster mentioned, I could see where the teacher & the assistant could feel a bit uncomfortable with this task..

[OCNRN63, RN]

I think the OP mentioned the student has special needs..

One of my co-workers is also a special-ed teacher. She says that she oftentimes has to change her student's incotinence briefs. I know that changing a colostomy bag isn't rocket science, but like another poster mentioned, I could see where the teacher & the assistant could feel a bit uncomfortable with this task..

I did read that the student had special needs. It wasn't stated that the student was incapable of doing it himself.

[schooldistrictnurse]

A teacher would rarely be asked to perform this task. Special Ed aides in my district have medical procedures included in their job description, so they know right away that they will be asked to do these things. All students are expected to do self care at school, to the extent of their abilities.

[Jenni811, RN]

Shouldn't this be the responsibility of the school nurse?

[systoly]

Shouldn't this be the responsibility of the school nurse?

Ideally yes, but according to what I'm told, the school nurse divides her time between three schools.

As far as I know, the student is physically not able to perform the task by self.

[systoly]

Thank you everyone for your responses. As I suspected, my initial opinion on this was biased, but I have since given my acquaintance a more objective opinion, knowing that's not what he wanted to hear. Again, thank you all.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I can say that the school district I reside in does not have school nurses. Not even 1 to run between all of the schools! I get a call yesterday from my son telling me his ankle hurts and he can't move it. I talked with someone in the office and she told me "We can't give out medical comments". I had to take off work, head there, and bring him home. He has a strained muscle! They wouldn't even check to see if he could move it up and down. It leaves a lot to be desired!!!