Identify the special needs in the school population; wheelchairs, extremity braces, prostetics, trachs, cardiac, pulmonary, diabetic...
Some geographical locations have a larger number of asthmatics. Are the students allowed to carry their own inhalers or must the be locked up in some remote location? (After 5 asthma related deaths in one area, some school sytems now allow kids can now carry their inhalers with proven competency)
An aerochamber would be nice to help someone who is short of breath and displaying panic take the MDI more effectively.
Epi-pens...students carry?
Oral glucose...
portable suction...
Oxygen would be nice...in an emergency - no contraindications.
I had mentioned in the COPD/O2 thread that you can have a CO2 retaining child from preemie days.... O2 in emergencies. Assist respirations when necessary. "Knocking out the hypoxic drive" will not make a patient somubulent or with depressed respirations immediately. Look for another cause.
Gray area for keeping oxygen outside of the medical areas. But dive boats have strived to get it on board for emergencies, athletic trainers and safety officers can keep it...etc. Check with State protocols for administration and storage.
A brief introduction to the above or at least identification of special needs for the staff should be included. Many children who have special needs love to educate adults about their situations if approached as "educational and not handicapped".
However, some school-aged asthmatics and diabetics are a little sensitive about their problems and may try to avoid talking at all about them. They are the ones that take us by surprise and can get themselves into trouble.
Teachers already deal with these students everyday, but the teacher's own insecurities or views about different illnesses can interfere with their own learning curve for emergency situations. Sometimes, the kids have to be the teachers. Just like our EMTs in training; they must do a rotation in a pediatric facility for special needs. This usually will make or break them. You don't have to be so extreme with teachers/staff, but many "adults" have preconceived notions and are afraid of their own abilities.
Including older children in the training process helps too. They are at least faster in getting equipment. You may even inspire a future EMT.
Your local Red Cross should have materials to help planning and policies. They also have excellent trainers.
