Date: August 22, 1997

Attention: ASCIP Members

Subject: Immediate Medical Aid

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ASCIP has become aware of several instances where school employees appeared hesitant to summon Paramedics or other qualified medical aid in response to ill or injured students.

It is common practice today to share a school nurse among several school sites leaving the remaining staff members at those sites without a nurse on duty to immediately respond to student illness or injury. While it may appear to be beyond the course and scope of staff's employment obligations or job descriptions, it remains the duty of either the school nurse or those other staff members present at the time of student illness or injury to take appropriate action to ensure the continued welfare of the pupil.

While recognizing that this responsibility may weigh heavily upon a layperson without formal medical training, failure to act in a timely manner as required to safeguard an ill or injured pupil may result in legal liability should negative consequences arise. While ASCIP believes that all school staff members should have periodic first aid and CPR training, it should be recognized that situations may arise beyond the abilities of school staff, first aid trained responders, campus health aids, or the school nurse.

To ensure that pupils are provided with timely medical aid in the absence of a school nurse or other trained staff member, or when an illness or injury is beyond their abilities, each school District should develop a policy to address the need to request immediate Paramedic assistance. Although there may be some expense associated with a Paramedic response, that cost should not be the deciding factor in making the decision to summon timely medical aid.

Staff members electing to call for Paramedic assistance in good faith should be supported in their decision by the District regardless of outcome.

Pupils suspected of being seriously ill or injured should NOT be transported in either District vehicles or staff's personal vehicles. Parents should arrange student transportation for non-emergency medical treatment. Paramedics can arrange transport for seriously ill or injured pupils. All students should have the appropriate medical consent forms on file with their school authorizing emergency medical treatment and advising parents that they are consenting to permit the school to summon Paramedics, if necessary at the parent's expense. Religious waivers of consent, special medical conditions, etc. should also be on file at the school and be brought to the attention of responding medical aid personnel.

ASCIP's 911 coverage later eliminated cost consideration from the decision making process.

Updated July, 2006