Sherbrooke Community School An innovative Government P – 12 School
AIMS
Sherbrooke Community School policy ensures that where injury or illness occurs to students there are procedures and personnel to minimise ill effects, provide basic treatment and provide access to more expert medical attention where necessary. This is to ensure that students can be cared for in the event of injury or illness while at school.
First Aid needs
Sherbrooke Community school will provide first aid facilities and ensure sufficient staff trained in first aid under the provisions of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 and the
Department’s First Aid and Infection Control advice.
Definition
First aid involves emergency treatment and support to:
 preserve life through: o o clearing and maintaining open airways restoring breathing or circulation o monitoring wellbeing until the person recovers or is transferred into the care of ambulance paramedic, doctor or nurse
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
 protect a person, particularly if they are unconscious prevent a condition worsening promote recovery.
Note: The goal of first aid is not to diagnose or treat the condition.
Meeting first aid needs
Qualified personnel will meet the needs of the students using the following procedures.
In case of injury / illness:
If a teacher believes that a student needs to attend sick bay they should either accompany the student or send a note and appropriate supervision. If a student is unable to go to sick bay the teacher should notify the first aid officer who will attend to the student and assess the situation.
All head injuries are to be assessed and parent/guardian is to be notified promptly.
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Sherbrooke Community School An innovative Government P – 12 School
Effective communication systems and procedures will be maintained so that prompt notification of injury or illness can be made to parents/guardians and also to ambulance, doctors or hospitals as necessary.
1.
For students with an Identified health need: First aid requirements for students with identified health care needs should be explained in the Student Health Support Plan or
Anaphylaxis Management Plan. To display a photo of a student and a description of their health care needs in a staff area, consent is required from parents/guardians and the student, if they are at the secondary school.
2.
If a student is feeling unwell: If a student feels unwell schools should: assess a range of signs and symptoms including:
 whether the student has a fever
 whether the students skin feels warm/hot to touch
 if the student looks pale but has flushed cheeks
 whether the student indicates that they feel hot.
Note: The specific temperature is not the main indicator
 take action based on the summary of signs and symptoms
 immediately seek emergency assistance, if there is any doubt about the student’s
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




 condition, or a sense that the student’s condition is deteriorating.
3.
If a student has a minor injury: When using an icepack to treat a minor injury such as a bump or bruise: do not apply directly to skin and remove if pain or discomfort occurs and use a cold compress (towel or cloth rinsed in cold water) as an alternative.
4.
Other injuries:
When an injury causes a nose bleed then an ice pack should not be used instead a cold compress may be used.
In the following circumstances an icepack/cold compress should not be used and medical help should be sought (usually by calling an ambulance: loss of consciousness, even if only briefly a less than alert conscious state suspicion of a fracture suspicion of a spinal injury damage to eyes or ears penetration of the skin deep open wounds.
Identifying training requirements
A first Aid training qualification course provided by an accredited training organisation will be offered to staff every year or when their qualification requires renewal. The principal will identify the school staff to be trained based on a risk assessment, and training will be provided to these staff as soon as practicable.
The Principal will ensure that while the student is under the care or supervision of the school, including excursions, yard duty, camps and special event days, there is a sufficient number of
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Sherbrooke Community School An innovative Government P – 12 School
School Staff present who have successfully completed an First Aid Training Course in the last 3 years.
Staff who practise first aid will have their position descriptions updated to reflect this extra responsibility.
First Aid room
The First Aid Room will maintain adequate quantities of first aid equipment and supplies.
First Aid audits are to be carried out once a term and supplied replenished when required.
Students who have been injured or have become ill will receive proper supervision in the first aid room.
Students will be encouraged to take preventative measures to avoid injury or illness, for example, safe play, hygiene, sun smart.
The school will organise first aid training and updates ensuring that sufficient staff members are trained.
The designated First Aid Officer should hold a current Level 2 First Aid certificate.
MEDICATION (see medication policy and procedures)
Managing Open Wounds and Blood spills
When treating a student with an open wound or blood spill the following procedures should be followed;
1.
Avoid contact with the blood while: comforting the student moving them to safety if required.
2.
Put on single-use gloves.
3.
Flush the wound using warm water.
4.
Wash the wound using warm water and soap.
5.
Pat dry the wound and apply a waterproof occlusive dressing ensuring the wound is covered completely and if bleeding continues, apply additional pressure using either a hand or firm bandage.
6.
Remove any linen stained with blood or body fluids and substances. Place them in leak-proof plastic bags until they can be cleaned by a commercial laundry or linen cleaning service, or dispose of.
7.
Remove gloves and place them in an appropriate biohazard container.
8.
Wash hands in warm soapy water and rinse before pat-drying thoroughly.
Managing blood spills:
Blood spills should be treated as if the blood is potentially infectious.
Note: all cuts and abrasions should be covered with a waterproof occlusive dressing at all times.
1.
Put on single-use gloves and avoid direct contact with blood or other body fluids.
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Sherbrooke Community School An innovative Government P – 12 School
2.
Use paper towels to mop up the spill. Dispose of the paper towels in an appropriate biohazard container.
3.
Wash the area with warm water and detergent, then rinse and dry the area. Note:
Take care not to splash.
4.
Remove gloves and place them in an appropriate biohazard container, which should be a part of the school first aid kit.
5.
Wash hands in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly before pat-drying.
6.
If re-usable items were used such as scissors or single-use tweezers, then an assessment must take place to consider how the item was used and determine the appropriate decontamination method. Example: If re-usable items are contaminated with blood of other body substances, they should be disposed of in a sharps of biohazard container. If they are not contaminated, they should be washed and dried.
Single use items should be disposed of appropriately and replaced. For further advice contact the Department’s OHS Advisory Service on 1300 074 715.
Blood Spill/Vomit Kit
Expiry
Items
Single use nitrile gloves
Paper towels
Quantity
1 packet
1 packet
Type Date Refill?
Single use plastic bags
Detergent
Absorbent material “kitty litter”
Biohazard waste bin
Eye Protection (Glasses)
Gown
As appropriate
Major first Aid kit
The major first aid kit located in the first aid room contains a minimum of;
Appropriate and current first aid manual 1
Gauze swabs 100
Sterile saline ampoules
Paper towels
Sterile un-medicated non-adhesive dressings
Thermometer (in front office)
Band aids – non-allergic/plain
Single use Nitrile gloves
Steri strips (“butterfly” stitches)
Adhesive tape – non-allergenic/paper
Conforming bandages
12
12
1 packet
8
4
4
1
1 packet
3 packets
1 packet
1 roll
2
2
7.5 x 7.5cm
15ml
30ml
5 x 5cm
7.5 x 7.5cm
10 x 10cm
Non-contact
As required
5 x 2.5cm
2.5cm
5cm
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Sherbrooke Community School An innovative Government P – 12 School
Triangular bandages
Crepe bandages (hospital weight)
Heavy elastic bandages
Ventolin puffer
Spacer device for Ventolin use (not reusable)
70% alcohol swabs (for cleaning reusable items as required)
Written instructions on asthma management
Resuscitation face mask (reusable)
Medicine measure
Stainless steel scissors
Heavy duty pair of scissors able to cut through clothing if necessary
Sharps/Biohazard container for contaminated waste
2
6
2
2
6
2
6
2
1
1
1 packet
1
1
1
1 as appropriate
Plastic bags for disposal of contaminated waste
Tweezers
Gel packs (kept in refrigerator)
Adhesive sanitary pads
Tampons
Flexible "sam" splints
Safety pins
Thermal blanket
Blanket and pillows
Antiseptic hand wash/germicidal soap
Box of paper tissues emesis bags for vomit
Book to record details of first aid provided
Non-stick un-medicated wound dressings as appropriate
1 packet
2
2 packet
1 box
1 set
1 packet
1
2 of each
1
1 box as appropriate
Sterile eye pads
Eye wash bottle
Burns Module (non-stick gel padded dressing with bandage attached)
Spare auto - injection device (in front office)
1
4
4
4
1 packet
1
4 modules as appropriate
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7.5cm
10cm
2.5cm
5cm
7.5cm
10cm
15cm sml med large

Sherbrooke Community School An innovative Government P – 12 School
Notes: Creams and lotions, other than those in aqueous or gel form, are not recommended in the first aid treatment of wounds or burns. Antiseptics are not recommended. Cuts and abrasions should be cleaned initially under running water followed by deeper and more serious wounds being cleaned with sterile saline prior to dressing..
Note: Biohazard waste should be burnt. There are several companies that will handle bulk biohazard waste.
Note: Some people are allergic to latex gloves
EXCURSION FIRST AID BACK PACK KIT ( Quantities to be determined by a risk assessment in consultation with the HSR and relevant employees based on activities being undertaken)
Expiry
Item
Appropriate and current first aid manual
Quantity
1
Type Date Refill?
Single use nitrile gloves
Gauze swabs
Sterile saline ampoules
1 box
7.5 x 7.cm
15ml
Paper towels
Sterile un-medicated non-adhesive dressings
Instant Cold Pack single use
Band aids – non-allergic/plain
Steri strips (“butterfly” stitches)
Adhesive tape – non-allergic/paper
Conforming bandages
1 pack
1
30ml
5 x 5 cm
7.5 x 7.5cm
10 x 10cm
5 x 2.5cm
Triangular bandages
Crepe bandages 2
3
1
3
3
3
2.5cm
5cm
7.5cm
7.5cm
10cm
Ventolin puffer
Spacer device for Ventolin use (not reusable)
70% alcohol swabs (for cleaning reusable items as required)
Sterile eye module (pads/wash/tape)
Resuscitation face mask (reusable)
Medicine measure
Stainless steel scissors
Heavy duty pair of scissors able to cut through clothing if necessary
Disposable splinter probes
10
1
1
1
10 medium
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Sherbrooke Community School An innovative Government P – 12 School
Sharps container for waste
Tweezers
Sun screen
Adhesive sanitary pads
Tampons
Safety pins
Thermal blanket
Antiseptic hand wash/germicidal soap
Box of paper tissues
Emesis bags for vomit
Plastic bags
Book to record details of first aid
Non-stick wound dressings (padded dressing with bandage attached)
Burnaid gel
1
1 bottle
1 pack
1 box
2
1
1
4
3 as appropriate
Small
Medium
Large
3.5ml sachet
Spare adrenalin auto - injection device
Yard Duty Bags
Safety Pins
Sanitary Pad
Scissors
Sterile dressing pack
Sterile eye pad
Tampon
Triangular Bandage
Tweezers
Items
Single use nitrile gloves
Sterile saline ampoules
Gauze bandages
Band-Aids
Antiseptic Swabs
Non-adherent dressing
Quantity
2
6
1
5
2
1
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Type
2.5cm
15cm
Expiry
Date Refill?
ALLERGIES
Parents have a responsibility to advise the school of any known allergies. The school will educate staff about allergies and the use of the epi-pen. (Refer to separate policy on anaphylaxis).
The principal will ensure that appropriate documentation will be maintained.
Where students have a known medical condition, appropriate planning by the school will be documented to ensure that necessary first aid and medical attention is given.
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Sherbrooke Community School An innovative Government P – 12 School
In a medical emergency, in addition to taking appropriate action, staff will seek other assistance.
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Sherbrooke Community School An innovative Government P – 12 School
EVALUATION
This policy was last ratified by School Council in August 2015 and should by reviewed by
August 2016.
Implementation will be reviewed annually by the First Aid Officer.
Signed:
………………………………………………….School Council President ………………………… Date
………………………………………………….Principal ………………………… Date
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