Trach's and vents

[NO1_2NV]

How many of you are responsible for trach's and vents? Been a school nurse for several years and have not had to manage any of these. Changing schools though and it appears there might be a few. Trying to get an idea of how you manage these when you are responsible for 1000 other children? I am assuming one would do your initial assessment each and every morning and then perhaps again during the day but just want to make sure I have a game plan in place before I arrive.

Thanks,

NO1_2NV

[Jolie, BSN]

None of our schools have a nurse in attendance more than two 1/2 days per week.

For this reason, students with trachs/vents or running central lines must have a personal care nurse with them at all times. That nurse is responsible for all care, planning, communication with parents and staff, etc.

My only involvement would be if there were concerns with the nurse's quality of care. Fortunately, that hasn't happened.

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

In our school system any child with a trach or a vent has to be attended by their personal nurse. There is NO WAY you'd be able to properly monitor and suction even ONE kid during the day and take care of all the other kids too. My school has 930 kids and 130+ staff. I see about 70-85 kids a day (that's 1400/month ) for everything from paper cuts and low cut blouses (yeah, I'm all over that. NOT.) to chest pain, asthma, broken bones, and seizures. I can barely manage my routine chronics and healthy kids, let alone pay any attention to medically fragile kids.

[caliotter3]

My former agency sent school nurses with our school-age patients to attend to all of their medical needs at school. The school nurse would report for work at the patient's home and accompany him/her on the school bus, at school, and back home again, usually with a little time to spare before her shift ended. Good job.