Emergency Medical Response Teams (ERT)

Guiding Principles

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District is committed to the safety and security of all students, staff and visitors in our schools. We know that the community entrusts us with their children, and we are honored to uphold that trust.

Most of the time, most students are safe and healthy in our schools. On rare occasions, a medical or safety emergency requires school staff to respond and provide first aid. Planning in advance for emergencies helps us keep all students safe and healthy.

In the event of more serious emergencies, staff are trained to be the first line of support to assess, treat and stabilize students while waiting for First Responders to arrive.

We use the Emergency Response Team (ERT) model to ensure consistency of training and a deeper understanding of students in our schools with medical needs.

Procedural Guidance

Oregon law requires at least 6 staff members be trained per building. Many of our schools have more than the minimum number of trained staff.

School leadership teams can decide which staff members should be trained.

• It is recommended that at least one front office staff member be part of the ERT (secretary, receptionist, etc.)
• Schools should consider having ERT members distributed throughout the school building and across grade levels.
• Schools should consider having building engineers and evening custodians trained as ERT members as well.

ERT members are trained on the Medic First Aid program. The initial training is an all-day session. Then every 2 years ERT members participate in a half-day re-certification training.

ERT members attend building-based trainings before school starts to ensure they are aware of all students in their building with identified medical conditions that may require an emergency response (ex. seizure protocols, diabetes, life-threatening allergies).

ERT members should plan in advance for their students to be supervised by another teacher in the event of an emergency response call.

In general, after an ERT response, the team will take time to debrief within a reasonable time frame. The school nurse usually leads this reflection process. The debrief will include what went well and what parts of the response can be improved. In the case of a serious emergency situation, additional emotional support may be provided for ERT members.

Resources

• Online epinephrine training from Oregon Health Authority
• Online glucagon training from Oregon Health Authority

FAQ

If I am teaching in my classroom and get called for an ERT response, do I leave my students unsupervised?

Students should never be unsupervised. It is best practice to plan in advance with a nearby teacher to send your students to their classroom if you get called for an ERT response. Just like with fire drills and other emergency drills, it is good to prepare your students for the possibility of this scenario.

Individual Health Protocols

Health protocols are individualized plans created for students based on medical information from their medical provider in order to keep the student safe and able to attend school. These are written and maintained by our School Nurses.

Selected school staff are trained on individual student health protocols and health needs. Nurses also train Emergency Response Team (ERT) members to assist in medical response when necessary (see above). In order to protect the student's confidentiality, this information is only shared with staff on a "need to know" basis.

Health protocols are mailed to parents and reviewed annually to make sure all information is accurate and up to date.

Parents who have questions about health protocols can contact their School Nurse.

 Medication Administration & Management

 Guiding Principles

Our goal is for all students to be successfully engaging in their classroom community. Some student require medication during the school day in order for them to successfully access their education. To ensure the safety of all students requiring medication in the school building or on field trips, appropriate staff members are trained to administer medication according to Oregon standards.

Whenever possible, medication should be administered at home.

Procedural Guidance

All medications need to be brought to/from school by a parent or guardian.

Oregon law does allow for students in middle school and high school to self-carry a one-day supply of medications when approved by parents, principal and school nurse (e.g. ibuprofen, prescription antibiotic, or an inhaler). Two forms must be completed and on file:

• Medication Form
• Self-Medication Administration Agreement

Training

For school staff to dispense oral medications for non-emergency purposes, they are required to participate in an annual face-to-face training led by school nurse, including the opportunity for staff members to ask questions.

Front office staff who are most likely to be administering medication should be trained.

If a student needs an oral medication for non-emergency purposed during the school day and will be off campus (on a field trip), a trained staff member must be present to administer the medication.

Documentation of Medication in School

For prescription medications, the student's name, proper dosage (including time of day and route of administration) and name of the prescriber must be part of the label.

For non-prescription medications, the medication must come in the original package and be age appropriate (i.e. children's strength vs. adult strength dosage).

When a parent checks medication into the office, a Medication Administration Record (MAR) is started. Medication is counted-in with staff member and parent - and recorded on the MAR.

Medication must be counted-in and out every time it leaves the school building (this includes field trips). Medication must always be in the original labeled container.

In the unlikely event of a missed dose or improper dose, notify your School Nurse immediately and submit a Medication Error form to the Health Services department.

Resources

Medication Information - for links to the following documents

• • Medication Form
  • Self-Medication Administration Agreement
  • Medication Error Form
  • Medication Administration Record (MAR) - Daily medications
  • Medication Administration Record (MAR) - As-needed medications

• FAQ for non-emergency medications

  (Parent) Can I send my child to school with medication in a Ziploc bag?

  Oregon law requires all medication to be brought to school by a parent or guardian in the original labeled container.

Specific Nursing Supports

The School Nurses provide a range of specific nursing supports, including overseeing medication management and health protocols. See the Nursing/Health Services page for more information.

Immunization Management

The state of Oregon requires students to have certain immunizations to protect themselves and other students in the school community. For more information about immunizations, see the Immunization Information page.