School District Homepage Policy Index

 

SUBJECT: GENERAL PROCEDURES	NUMBER 511.2
CLASSIFICATION:  RELEASE FROM SCHOOL FOR ACCIDENT / ILLNESS   (DEC. 98)

I. RELEASE FROM SCHOOL FOR ACCIDENT / ILLNESS

    The professional judgment of the School District of Philadelphia Certified School Nurses, and the  �FIRST-AID AND EMERGENCY CARE CHART� (MEH 50) are to assist the principal in the care of the ill or injured person.  No ill or injured student is to be permitted to go home or to the hospital without being accompanied by a member of the school staff in the absence of a parent or guardian.  No student is to be left at home unless there is a responsible adult to receive him/her.

    A. EARLY DISMISSAL OF ILL OR INJURED STUDENTS TO HOME
        1. It is advisable to send an ill or injured student home provided:
            a) The illness or injury warrants dismissal in the opinion of the Certified School Nurse or
                the individual designated by the principal.
            b) A responsible adult is at home to receive the student.
        2. When a student needs home care, every effort is to be made to have the parent/guardian
            (or if unable to do so, the person designated as emergency contact)  come to school to
            pick up the student;  if a taxi is required, the parent/guardian is to request the taxi, as they
            are responsible for the fare.
        3. If no responsible adult can come to the school for the student and if, in the opinion of
            the principal, the illness or injury is sufficiently serious to warrant an escort, such service is
            to be provided.
            a) A student who is ill or injured may not be sent home without an escort.
            b) The escort may be school staff or the principal; students are not to be used for
                this purpose.
            c) The escort is to report to the principal the disposition of the case, and a record is
                to be made.
            d) In cases of serious injury a serious incident report should be completed.
            e) Under Pennsylvania law, the School District assumes no responsibility for the
                transportation of students or employees in private automobiles;  insurance coverage
                is provided only by the escort�s own automobile insurance.

    B. STUDENTS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL
        1. It is advisable to send an ill or injured student to a hospital emergency room as soon
            as possible in any case in which:
            a) The parent/guardian and other responsible persons concerned with the incident agree
                that the illness or injury is not compatible with home care.
            b) The parent /guardian of a student whose condition apparently demands prompt
                medical care cannot be located within a reasonable time.
            c) Extreme emergencies may demand immediate action without preliminary attempts
                to locate responsible adults; however, these adults are to be notified as promptly
                as possible thereafter.
        2. Transportation to the Hospital
            a) The Emergency Medical System (EMS) should be activated by calling 911.
            b) A member of the school staff must accompany the student in the emergency vehicle,
                and is to remain at the hospital with the student until the parent/guardian or parent
               designated emergency contact arrives at the hospital.
            c) In case of a serious illness or injury occurring when the Certified School Nurse is
                not available, he/she should be notified.
            d) The Incident Control Desk is to be notified and a serious incident report completed.