How Schools Should Stay in Contact with Emergency Medical Services

The question of how schools should stay in contact with emergency medical services is one that needs answering. In many emergency situations where medical services are needed - phone lines or electricity are done and cell phone technology cannot always be depended on in the face of an emergency. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued reports that recommend schools take extra steps to ensure the medical safety of their student body.

Since school nurses or physicians may not always be available, the AAP recommends that schools train 2 additional staff members in their school system to handle emergency medical situations on site. Epinephrine as well as defribullators should be kept on school grounds and adequate training on both should be available. School medical records that are complete and include medications given to students should be readily available should an emergency medical situation arise.

If everything is secure within the school, the next problem comes with calling medical services. Many schools rely on calling 911 for emergencies. More recently, however, many schools are receiving a direct link to local law enforcement and medical services to ensure that they can bypass the 911 call centers and get the fastest response times available. In schools where county or city fire and rescue personnel are used for general illness, providing administration with radio transmissions is advised. Additionally, and private ambulance or hospital care that is located in close proximity to the school should also be available in the case that first responders are on other calls.

Many schools also have a list of on-call local doctors skilled in emergency response to pediatric incidences that can be instrumental in saving the life of children facing emergency. Regardless of how schools contact emergency medical personnel - 911 should always be used in conjunction. This way, the temporary on-scene caretakers can be given life saving advice through trained dispatch that can save the life of a child or staff member in your school. CPR training and emergency first aid classes should be offered to teachers and staff members in order to facilitate any gap in response times.

Several large inner city school districts keep law enforcement and medical staff on site at all times. This is a costly but effective measure and one that some school districts are considering. Private ambulance service or emergency personnel working with the school nurse are quick ways to contact emergency services for a student in need.

Schools should take effort to have a communication plan in place that directly links school staff with emergency medical situations. By combining quick methods to contact EMT's and having trained staff nurses, physicians and responders on staff - the life of a child can be saved. It is also important that staff members are completely aware of the emergency medical services contact information and procedures so that no time is wasted should a student be in need. Posting the contact information in every classroom and empowering teachers with proper levels of communication is an important and often overlooked step of the emergency medical plan.

Resources On School Emergency Medical Services

1. American Health & Safety
2. American Public Health Association
3. The Disaster Center
4. Emergency Books & Training
5. Firehouse.com
6. Merck Manual
7. National Safety Council!