First Aid Guidelines

POLICY: A child has the right to a safe environment and deserves to have caregivers who will take every reasonable precaution to prevent accidents and injury.  In the case of accidental injury, the child will receive appropriate first aid immediately.  

PURPOSE: To ensure every child's safety.

To ensure the child appropriate care under all circumstances.

PROCEDURE:

1. Teacher will assure that there is a fully stocked first aid kit and disposable gloves available anywhere the children may go.  
2. Caregivers will wear disposable gloves every time they touch bodily fluids such as blood, feces, vomit or urine.
   1. Handling of human milk without gloves has not been shown to transmit HIV nor Hepatitis B, so it does not fall under the CDC’s list of bodily fluids that require universal precautions such as gloves. Professionals who frequently handle human milk may choose to wear gloves if they wish, or if site policy requires it. (Source: CDC, 2022). 
3. Teacher will assure that children sustaining an injury will receive first aid. 
   1. Cut, Scrape or Abrasion:
      1. Clean the wound with soap and water.
      2. Decide on appropriate size and shape of covering.
      3. Attach to wound with adhesive.
      4. Apply ice pack if there is swelling and/or pain.
   2. Burn:
      1. Flush all burns with cool running water immediately until burning stops.
      2. Cover large burns with a clean dry cloth. Cover smaller burns loosely with a clean, cool, damp cloth to cool the burn and relieve pain.
      3. DO NOT BREAK BLISTERS!
   3. Bee Sting:
      1. Remove stinger by brushing over the top of the sting -do not use tweezers or pinch the stinger.
      2. Wash with soap and water.
      3. Apply ice to reduce swelling and/or pain.
      4. Check the child's health folder for bee sting allergy.
      5. Ask the child if he/she is having difficulty breathing or swallowing
      6. Notify parents immediately if there is allergic reaction
      7. Dial 9-1-1 if the child has any difficulty breathing.
   4. Sand in eyes
      1. Flush cool water into eye
      2. Do not allow child to rub the eyes.
      3. If there are a few grains left under the eyelid, use a moist cotton tipped applicator and gently touch the grain to lift it out of the eye
   5. Head injury:
      1. Do NOT move a severely injured or ill person unless absolutely necessary for immediate safety. If moving is necessary, protect the neck by keeping it straight to prevent further injury 
      2. Check for breathing - Start CPR if needed
      3. Assess consciousness and awareness of surroundings
      4. Call 9-1-1 if unconscious (for any length of time), severe headache, vomiting, or change in behavior or loss of coordination. Arrange for transportation of the ill or injured person, if necessary.
      5. If alert and moving; apply ice to bump.
      6. Observe for lethargy, vomiting, severe headache, or change in behavior.
      7. The responsible school nurse, administrator, or a designated employee should notify the parent/legal guardian of the emergency as soon as possible to determine the appropriate course of action.
   6. Fracture, Sprain, or Strain
      1. Immobilize with towel, cardboard, or sling.
      2. Gently support and elevate injured part and adjacent joint, with pillow or folded towel, if possible
      3. Use ice for swelling and/or pain.
      4. Dial 9-1-1 if: bone or joint is deformed or bent in an unusual way; skin broken over possible fracture; bone sticking through skin; skin of the injured extremity pale/cool when compared with opposite extremity

For more emergency response and first aid info from EMSA, please visit:  Emergency First Aid Guidelines for California Schools

Resource: https://emsa.ca.gov/childcare_provider/