Some children with disabilities may have specialized health care needs that require specialized equipment, medications, and/or health care procedures during the school or day care period. Examples of health care procedures include shunt monitoring, colostomy care, gastrostomy tube feeding, nasogastric tube feeding, nutrition monitoring, catheterization, suctioning, breathing treatments, tracheostomy care, seizure monitoring and ventilator use. Accommodating children with health care needs can be very frightening for staff who are unfamiliar with the procedures. The following ideas assist in staff preparation and establishing procedures so that all staff can become comfortable with procedures:

• Obtain medical records and the child's medical history. Note any physical limitations, medications, treatments, and endurance problems of the child. Parent permission and consents will need to be signed in order to obtain medical information from the source (Use our form "Medication Checklist").
• Access a registered nurse to be part of the team to serve as a liaison to the physician, instruct staff on procedures, monitor child progress, develop guidelines for staff to follow on procedures, and monitor staff performing those procedures.
• Develop emergency care plans such as the person to contact in case of an emergency, agency numbers to contact including physician, plan for medical equipment failure, specific instructions for seizures, staff training to identify possible signs of distress, etc. (see emergency procedures example below)
• Teach all staff first aid and Cardiac Pulmonary Resistation (CPR).
• Develop a specific health care plan. (see health care plan example below)
• Teach staff universal precautions such as using gloves, gowns, masks, etc. to protect a person from blood or body fluids and to prevent the spread of infection. Proper disposal of the materials should also be included.
• Identify licensing regulations to determine procedures and safeguards needed in childcare and preschool settings. These might include procedures for staff hygiene, facility cleanliness and infection control.
• Administer procedures at regularly scheduled time. As much as possible select times that are least disruptive to the classroom schedule and do not interfere with social opportunities.
• Make sure materials and equipment are stored safely.
• Involve the family in procedures to establish consistency between home and school, to keep current information on file, and to communicate additional needs such as sending equipment, need for more supplies and child progress.

Related Links:

• Download a PDF version of Emergency Procedures here.
• Download a PDF version of Health Care Plan here.