First aid policies are in place in schools to ensure that students can feel safe and well when unexpected circumstances arise. In compliance with legal obligations, schools must have the necessary first aid facilities and treatment available to all people at the school. Not only do you need to have a protocol in place for special medical issues at the school, but you also need to be sure that your first aid kit is well stocked with the necessary school first aid supplies that are all within their use-by date.
Meeting the first aid needs of the school
One of the first things that you must ensure as part of the first aid procedures at the school is that you always have a first aid officer or school nurse who has the ability and qualification to assist with an ill or injured student. Making sure that a sufficient number of staff members are properly trained in first aid is essential. You’ll need to identify what type of first aid competency and training is required for your school and whether you may be able to share first aid duties across different staff members.
You may also need to look at providing additional training to staff to meet some of the specific health needs of certain students, such as diabetes, asthma management or specific allergies. Those students that have specific health care needs should be identified and have their requirements explained as part of the Student Health Support Plan of the school.
Special Medical Needs & Supplies
Establishing a protocol for students with asthma, allergies, and injuries that occur at the school will help in ensuring there is a clear action plan when these issues arise. The additional training for these medical needs should also cover identification strategies, so you can help to act on a medical problem as quickly as possible.
For example, for those students with asthma do you have spare inhalers in case the student runs out or misplaces theirs during the day? To help you care for those with asthma or allergies, you should be adding an anaphylaxis and asthma kit to your school first aid kits.
Updating School Floor Plans
The floor plans for your school should all have the location of emergency medical supplies or equipment clearly marked. This makes emergency care in the school a quick process where you won’t have to worry about where to find supplies.
Appropriate signage will also be necessary for your first aid room, such as the Australian CPR wall chart outlining the steps involved as part of resuscitation.
What should be in a school first aid kit?
The requirements for your first aid kit will be determined by the size of your school, and will also give you the chance to determine who is responsible for helping to maintain these kits. Some of the main items that your school first aid kit should contain include:
- Bandages
- Antiseptic Wipes/Sachet
- Sharp/Blunt Scissors
- Dressings
- Eye Irrigation
- Disposable Gloves
- Forceps
- Paper Tape
- First Aid Guide Booklet
Your first aid kits should be checked on a regular basis, so you can purchase new items to replace missing ones, and to ensure that nothing has expired. Make sure that these kits are conveniently located and are in an area which is free of water and dust so that the contents of the kit don’t become contaminated.
LFA First Response stocks a comprehensive range of school first aid supplies and complete kits to meet the needs of all types of schools. The medical supplies that we offer feature unbeatable use-by dates on all of our products, making them long-lasting and cost-effective options to add to your school first aid kit.
