Procedures for Medication Emergencies

Table of Contents

A life-threatening medical emergency may occur at school or during school sanctioned activities outside of the normal school day. Districts and schools should have school health policies and procedures on how to respond to medication emergencies. A general emergency plan consists of what to do when an emergency occurs. The instructional steps assist the registered nurse working under the auspices of the school or program in professional judgement and accountability of delegation. Additional steps may be required depending on the school or program needs.

The delegatee is able to voice understanding of the following:

  1. how to access 911, their community health systems and poison control
  2. the emergency protocol in their designated role (if applicable)
  3. Voice understanding of a life threatening emergency:
    1. Definition: A life threatening or severe emergency includes immediate treatment and mobilization of emergency health services. The most important actions are following the emergency action plan (if applicable), first aid and transportation to a healthcare facility or emergency room if necessary. Possible life threatening emergencies may occur minutes or even hours after the medication administration incident. 

Actions to take in a medication emergency:

  • Stay Calm and follow the emergency plan (if applicable)
  • Observe severity and condition of the individual. Remember specific information for later documentation
  • Stay with the individual and call for help
  • Practice universal precautions
  • Provide appropriate life support
  • Obtain assistance from another person to call 911 It is important to remember if you are the one making the call to 911, Hang up only with the permission of the dispatcher on the other end of phone line
    • Contact the parents and school nurse
    • Remember, it is ALWAYS better to take a situation seriously; Do not wait and see if the situation is going to get worse.
    • The school nurse or designee may accompany the student to the hospital if parents are unavailable and school administration has instructed them to do so
    •  Give emergency responders needed information, and send a copy of the student's record with the emergency medical personnel. If you use the AED, send the AED with EMS
    • Practice universal precautions
    • Document