Seizure Management in School

Jean M. Lane, R.N., B.S.N., M.A.School Nurse

Town of Westport May

2010

Overview

Communication Plan development Teacher/staff education Resources Questions

Communication: Parent/Student

Obtain seizure history information Triggers Warning signs/behavior changes Type(s) of seizures Typical duration of seizure

activity When the last seizure occurred

Communication: Parent/Student (cont.)

Obtain treatment plan information Medication(s): daily First aid procedures during seizure Medications: rescue/emergency Appropriate magnet use if has a vagus

nerve stimulator Post ictal status/management

Communication: Parent/Student (cont.)

Sample form Questionnaire for Parent of

Student with Seizures (Epilepsy Foundation)

Health History Assessment (State Department of Education)

Communication:Parent/Student (cont.)

Obtain additional information General health status (past and

present) Educational status/concerns General concerns

Communication:Parent/Student (Cont.)

Obtain permission to communicate with the health care provider School district’s HIPAA and

FERPA compliant release form Health care provider’s release

form

Communication:Health Care Provider

Obtain seizure history information Past medical history Triggers Warning signs/behavior change Type(s) of seizures Typical duration of seizure activity When the last seizure occurred

Communication:Health Care Provider

(Cont.)

Obtain treatment plan information Medications: daily at school First aid procedures during

seizure What is considered a “seizure

emergency” Medications: rescue/emergency

Communication:Health Care Provider

(Cont.)

Obtain treatment plan information (cont.) Use of vagus nerve stimulator

magnet as ordered When to call 911 Post ictal status/management

Communication:Health Care Provider

(Cont.)

Sample forms Seizure Action Plan (Epilepsy

Foundation) District forms

Medication order form Special procedure form

Communication:Health Care Provider

(Cont.)

Special considerations Health services Transportation Field trips Activity precautions/restrictions Sports

Communication:Teachers/Staff

Obtain information regarding seizure observations Observations – new student vs

student with new diagnosis General academic

status/concerns

Plan Development

Individualized healthcare plan (IHP) “Written document that outlines

the provision of student healthcare services intended to achieve specific student outcomes.” (NASN & ANA, 2005)

Plan Development Emergency Care Plan (ECP)

An ECP is a written plan of action that addresses the “emergency care needs of a student who may have a life-threatening episode (Harringan, 2002) and is generally written for the purpose of directing the actions of school personnel (Schwab & Gelfman, 2001).” (NASN, 2008)

Plan Development

Emergency Care Plan (ECP) (Cont.) Based on information obtained

from parent/student and health care provider

Simple, clear, understandable to lay people, and easy to read

Plan Development

Transportation Care Plan (TCP) Alerts bus driver and provides clear

directions for bus driver to follow Based on parent/student, health care

provider input and district policies Distributed to appropriate personnel Samples

Teacher/Staff Education

Provide general seizure education Epilepsy Foundation “Fact Sheet” Epilepsy Foundation videos –

Seizure Disorders and the School I Seizure Disorders and the School II

Teacher/Staff Education

Review plans with staff Individualized healthcare plan Individualized emergency care plan Individualized transportation plan

Update plans yearly or more often as needed

Teacher/Staff Education (Cont.)

Stress importance of communication Parent Nurse Student observations

Resources

Epilepsy Foundation of CT 800-899-3745 Epilepsyct.com

www.epilepsyfoundation.org/schoolnurse Seizure Action Plan form Epilepsy Foundation Marketplace

Questions ??