Medical Emergencies Occurring at School

Abstract

Children and adults might experience medical emergency situations because of injuries, complications of chronic health conditions, or unexpected major illnesses that occur in schools. In February 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement titled "Guidelines for Emergency Medical Care in Schools" (available at: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;107/2/435). Since the release of that statement, the spectrum of potential individual student emergencies has changed significantly. The increase in the number of children with special health care needs and chronic medical conditions attending schools and the challenges associated with ensuring that schools have access to on-site licensed health care professionals on an ongoing basis have added to increasing the risks of medical emergencies in schools. The goal of this statement is to increase pediatricians' awareness of schools' roles in preparing for individual student emergencies and to provide recommendations for primary care and school physicians on how to assist and support school personnel. Pediatrics 2008;122:887-894 RATIONALE Many schools lack a licensed health care professional on site to respond to individual student medical emergencies. Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States, especially among children, with 70% of injury deaths occurring in school-aged youth (5-19 years of age). 1 It is estimated that 10% to 25% of injuries to children occur while they are in school. 2 In addition to injury-related emergencies, status asthmaticus, diabetic crises, status epilepticus, sudden cardiac death, and other medical emergencies can occur in students and staff at school. The prevalence of children with special health care needs attending schools means that there now exists a pool of students with a broad range of medical conditions that may require special equipment, preparation and training of personnel, medications and supplies, and/or transport decisions and arrangements. 3 This statement highlights the role of school personnel, the school health and safety team (school nurse, social worker, school resource officer), school physician, and primary care clinician in each step in the process of managing individual student emergencies occurring at school. It is important to note that there is a fundamental link between emergency readiness and disaster preparedness. Schools that are prepared for an emergency in an individual are more likely to be prepared for complex events such as community disasters. Disaster planning in schools is covered in a separate policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), "Disaster Planning for Schools." 4 It is helpful to view these 2 policies together to appreciate the full spectrum of school emergency planning. BACKGROUNDThe average school-aged child spends 28% of the day and 14% of his or her total annual hours in school. 2 There are 72.3 million children younger than 18 years living in the United States (according to the 200...

Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Basic Life Support Among Teachers in Training

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First-Aid Knowledge and Attitudes of Schoolteachers in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

“… 3 According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 10–25% of the United States (US) children’s accidents occur during school hours. 4 , 5 Research has identified three main areas related to first-aid injuries at school: (1) health problems and accidents; (2) teachers’ knowledge of first aid; and (3) the benefits of first-aid training programs for school staff. School students’ health problems include epileptic seizures, 6 diabetes, asthma attacks, sudden cardiac death, 7 , 8 dental trauma, 9–11 leg injuries, and nosebleeds.…”

Emergency Action Planning in Kansas High Schools

“…5 In addition, the Sideline Preparedness Collaboration (comprised of six major professional organizations: American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine), American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Heart Association all endorse the formation and implementation of emergency plans in schools. 7 – 9 …”