Moat Farm Infant School First Aid and Medical Policy First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 1 Moat Farm Infant School First Aid/Medical Policy Introduction The aim of first aid is:to preserve life, prevent condition worsening, promote recovery/seek expert assistance. At school, the main duties of a first aider are to give immediate help to casualties: those with common injuries those arising from specific hazards The First Aider in school Within school there must be a named first aider (Appendix 1) who will be called on as soon as any situation arises. Named first aiders will have completed a training course approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and will have an up to date certificate. First aid should be given by a trained first aider or designated persons (lunch time supervisors) where possible. All children at Moat Farm Infant School will be given first aid treatment if and when necessary, unless otherwise notified by parents/guardians. First aiders should stay with the casualty until he/she is handed over to professional medical persons e.g. paramedics, Doctor, Nurse. On every off site activity a trained first aider must be with the party. First Aid Stations Within the main school building first aid stations are located as follows: First Aid room located in “The Olive Tree”. First Aid area in school canteen. First Aid stations are located outside “The Olive Tree”, the disabled toilet and the staffroom. First Aid box can also be found in school office and all epipens are stored in marked containers in the office also. First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 2 First Aid travel bags can be located at station points along the corridor and by external doors leading into outdoor learning areas. First Aid bag is located in the school hall. First Aid bag is located in “The Hive” (mobile classroom). All first aid stations will be marked with a green cross on a white background. The Nursery building has a first aid station located centrally within the main room. Accident Books Accident books will be kept at each first aid station. The books should be used by first aiders, designated persons and lunchtime supervisors. First aid books should include: Date and time of accident Plate of accident Name of child, class Details of injury Treatment given, including if sent home/sent to Dr’s/sent to hospital Name of person treating casualty and their signature. Accident record books must be kept for a minimum of three years. A list of children’s names and classes will be kept at each station for reference. Treatment Procedures All first aiders must take precautions to avoid infection and must follow basic hygiene procedures. First aiders must have access to item listed on Appendix 2 – First Aid box contents. Each first aid station will have a first aid cabinet (white with green cross). For contents please see Appendix 1. For all Off Site activities there will be a travelling first aid pouch – minimum of one per class must be taken on visits. There is a separate kit for residential visits which also contains supplementary items listed on Appendix 2 – Staying Away Overnight Form. All first aid waste should be disposed of in a clearly marked first aid waste bin. One is located at each of the first aid stations. Any child who has bumped their head or sustained a minor injury (e.g. cut, graze etc) must be given a letter to inform their parent. See Appendix 3 – Accident letter. Parents will also be informed if First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 3 an injury was sustained during a school visit. Parents will be informed on return by a member of staff or an accident letter issued, if a minor injury. In the case of more serious injuries, staff will contact the school and the child’s parents. Expert assistance will be contacted if require. Any child who feels or becomes ill whilst at school will be given an illness letter and parents will be contacted so that the child can be taken home. See Appendix 3 – Illness letter. The school office will be informed of any child who has been sent home. In serious cases or significant incidents the child’s parent/guardian will be telephoned, please inform either the Deputy Head or Head Teacher if a parent has been contacted. Either the first aider or a member of staff known by the child will accompany them to hospital and wait with them if their parent has not arrived in school or cannot be contacted before the child is taken to hospital. At all times parents will be kept informed of any accident, treatment on site or where a child has been taken for treatment. As soon as possible, an accident form, (see Appendix 4) should be obtained from the school office and completed and returned to Shaftesbury House. Copies of forms should be given to office staff. Staff at school will also be treated by first aiders on site, in the first instance, and be recorded in an accident book located in the school office. This should be kept on file for a minimum of three years. If staff have medical conditions, (including allergies) or require specific medication, please ensure first aiders are informed. All information will be treated as confidential and would only be used in an emergency situation. Emergency contact information for staff can be located in the school office. The first aider will also treat any parent or visitor on the school site - these will also be recorded in the first aid book located in the school office. Additional Information Removal/disposal of bodily fluids – this will be in accordance with authority guidance. See Appendix 5 – Disposal of Bodily Fluids. Current Qualified First Aiders: Mrs. T. Pye, Mrs. A. Smart, Mrs. J. Jones. First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 4 Equipment – this will be checked regularly by First Aiders and updated/replenished yearly. Any concerns must be reported to Mrs. Pye for immediate attention. Pupil Medical Information/Medical File – these will be located in the Deputy Head Teacher’s Office and in the staff room. Information/Care Plans about individual pupils will also be kept with the class teacher. Details will also be kept on the school system. Please inform all relevant personnel of updated information and annotate care plans, etc as appropriate. Copies of slips to parents for specific conditions, (e.g. diabetes) can also be located here as well as with the pupil’s class teacher. This information will be monitored by Mrs. Pye. Pupil Medical Register – to be collated by Mrs Pye and copies given to all staff and put in Medical Files and First Aid Stations. Medical Referrals – Any member of staff who is concerned about a pupil’s health or welfare please report immediately to Mrs Pye/Mrs Smart. Pupils will then be referred to the school nurse who will then investigate, conduct a home visit and report findings to school. School Nurse – Miss Leese is in regular contact with the school nurse if staff wish to raise any concerns. The school nurse will also organise meetings/workshops on specific issues/conditions for parents and for staff. First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 5 Moat Farm Infant School First Aiders Mrs. T. Pye Mrs. A. Smart Mrs. J. Jones First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 6 First Aid Box Contents Every employer should provide at least one fully stocked first aid container for each site. The assessment of a school’s first aid needs should include the number of first aid containers. Additional first aid containers will be needed for split-level sites; distance sports fields or playgrounds, any other high-risk areas and any off site activities. All first aid containers must be marked with a white cross on a green background in accordance with the Safety Signs and Signal Regulations, 1966. They should be made of a suitable material to protect the contents from damp and dust. Contents of First Aid Boxes First aid boxes and travelling first aid kits should contain a sufficient quantity of suitable first aid materials and nothing else. Contents of the boxes and the kits should be replenished as soon as possible after use to ensure that there is always an adequate supply of materials. Items should not be used after the expiry date shown on the packets. It is therefore, essential that first aid equipment be checked frequently, to make sure there are sufficient quantities and all items are usable. There is no standard list of items to be put in a first aid box, however the Health and Safety Executive recommend that when there is no special risk identified, a minimum provision of first aid items would be: a leaflet giving general advice on first aid; twenty individual wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes); two sterile eye pads; four individually wrapped triangular bandages (preferably sterile); six safety pins; six medium sized (approximately 12cm x 12cm) individually wrapped un-medicated wound dressings; two large (approximately 18cm x 18cm) sterile individually wrapped un-medicated wound dressings; one pair of disposable gloves. Equivalent or additional items are acceptable; you should not keep tablets and medicines in the first aid box. First aid provision should contain only those items, which a first aider has been trained to use. First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 7 Where tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in sealed disposable containers should be provided. Each container should hold at least 300ml and should not be reused once the sterile seal has been broken. At least 900ml should be provided. Travelling First Aid Kits Before undertaking any off site activity the head teacher should assess what level of first aid provision is needed. The Health and Safety Executive recommend that where there is no risk identified, a minimum stock of first aid items for travelling first aid containers is: a leaflet giving general advice on first aid ; six individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings; one large sterile un-medicated wound dressing (approximately 18cm x 18cm); two triangular bandages; two safety pins; individually wrapped moist cleansing wipes; one pair of disposable gloves. Equivalent or additional items or additional items are acceptable. Additional items may be necessary for specialised activities. Supplementary Equipment The following items should be provided near the first aid materials: disposable aprons and/or suitable protective equipment; blunt ended scissors (minimum length 12.70 cm); adhesive tape; individually wrapped moist cleansing wipes. Resuscitation aids should also be available for those first aiders who request them. Further Information Further information is available in the H.S.E. Document, First Aid at Work – Your Questions Answered First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 8 Moat Farm Infant School Head Teacher: Miss H.M. Barlow Brookfields Road Oldbury Telephone: 0121 552 1885 West Midlands Fax: 0121 544 3494 B68 9QR STAYING AWAY FROM HOME OVERNIGHT While your child is away from home, he/she may have minor accidents or problems which we believe are better treated on the spot. Such treatment is intended to relieve discomfort and avoid any need to send him/her home. It will help make your child’s stay more enjoyable if you can provide the following information. Thank you. (1) (2) My child’s name is …………………………………………………………………………………….. Is there anything your child must not eat?................................................................................................................... (3) If you object to any of the following being used on your son/daughter, please write them in the space below:Crepe bandage, cotton wool, waterproof sticky plaster/tape, buttercup syrup (coughs), Savlon cream, Strepsils (sore throat), Anthisan cream (stings) Junior Disprol, Joyrides (travel sickness), sun protection cream, calamine lotion/cream, Vaseline, melolin dressing (grazes) Please do not use ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (4) My child is bringing the following medicines (they must be clearly labelled and given to a teacher before leaving …….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... (4) If you know your child wets the bed, occasionally or regularly, please indicate below …………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (5) Is there anything else you think we should know about your child? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Signed ……………………………………………………………..Parent/Guardian First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 9 Education and Lifelong Learning IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES FOR THE SAFE HANDLING, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF BODILY FLUIDS Introduction The Council has produced a corporate policy P.82, Procedures for the Safe Handling Treatment and Disposal of Bodily Fluids. The following guidance should be adopted for establishments within Children & Young People’s Services. Where employees are required to come into contact with bodily fluids, the following minimum precautions are to be adopted, regardless of whether a risk of infection has been identified. The recommended method of dealing with any spillage is the use of special sanitising granules, particularly in the larger establishments such as schools where body spillages occur on a daily basis. There are some establishments who choose not to deal with body spillages as they happen and will often leave the spillage for a long period of time until the caretaker is back on duty, this is an unsatisfactory arrangement. By using the granules this will reduce any risk of infection and also deodorise any unpleasant smells. In the smaller establishments such as libraries, where there are infrequent incidents of body spillages, or when schools are organising off site activities the use of body spillage kits would be ideal. The Risk of Infection Where there is a risk of infection for any employee coming into contact with the body fluids of another person (body fluids includes blood, urine, faeces and vomit). The normal routes of entry of infection into the body are through the skin or through the linings of the nose, mouth and eyes. The hands are usually the means by which body fluids are transferred to these entry routes. Risk Assessment A risk assessment should be carried out to protect the persons whose job it is to deal with the body spillage. It should take into account the frequency, type, how it should be disposed of whether it be clinical waste or sharps. The risk assessment should detail suitable and sufficient First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 10 measures to control the risk, including the wearing of suitable personal protective equipment. Procedures for the Safe Handling, Treatment and Disposal of Body Fluids Spillage of blood or body fluids 1. Clean up spillages of blood or body fluids however small immediately. 2. Open wounds must be covered with a waterproof dressing. 3. It is essential to wear disposable non-seamed latex or vinyl gloves and an apron. 4. If there is broken glass - never pick it up with your fingers, even if wearing gloves. Use a paper/plastic scoop or litter picker and dispose of the glass in a safe manner. Needles will to be disposed in a special sharp’s box. 5. Apply cleansing products i.e. sanitizing granules/body spills kit according to manufacturer’s instructions. 6. Rinse area with hot water and detergent. 7. Dispose of gloves and apron as clinical waste. 8. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot water. 9. Splashes of blood or body fluid on the skin should be washed off immediately with soap and hot water. 10. If clothing becomes contaminated with blood or other body fluids, it should be rinsed with cold water, and then laundered separately in a hot wash. Cuts and abrasions All staff should ensure that wounds or damaged skin are covered with a water proof dressing (without visible air holes) disposable non-seamed latex or vinyl gloves must be worn at all times, without exception. First Aid Employees carrying out first aid who are likely to come into contact with bodily fluids should adopt the same precautions as above. Disposal All waste materials, containing high-risk bodily fluids are to be properly disposed of as “clinical waste” into a prescribed First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 11 container. An approved clinical waste remover must undertake the removal and disposal of clinical waste. Reference can be made to Sandwell Central Contract No. 118. It should be noted that this will incur cost. Medical Advice If the employee feels that they have been contaminated they should contact their line manager who will seek further advice from medical advisors in the Public Health Department 0121 500 1500. Alternatively you may wish to contact the Occupational Health Unit via the Personnel Section, Shaftesbury House. It is important that these incidents are fully recorded on the Health and Safety Incident Report Form (SHW012). www.lea.sandwell.gov.uk/members/bulletin/ello/safety/forms. htm Procedures for Avoiding Needle Stick Injuries Staff dealing with rubbish as part of their duties should be issued with gloves, a litter picker (if applicable) and a sharps container (specifically for needles). Staff must not get into any rubbish containers to tread rubbish down as this could lead to a needle stick injury of the feet, legs or lower body. Bags of rubbish should not be picked up bodily but must be lifted by the loose top, whether tied up or not. Make every effort to avoid contact between bags and the legs in such circumstances. First Aid Precautions If skin is punctured immediately squeeze the injured site. Keep squeezing and wash the injured site under running water for 5 minutes and seek medical attention. First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 12 If a member of staff has received a puncture wound from a contaminated sharp, it should be carefully, picked up by anontouch method and retained in a rigid container and should be taken with the member of staff to the Accident & Emergency/GP. Disposing of Sharps If there are several needles, inform the police and contact Sandwell Direct on 0121 569 6625 for removal and clean up operation (a cost may be incurred). First Aid and Medical Policy – Updated Summer 2014 13