Schools stop giving acetaminophen
Udens College will stop giving paracetamol to students. The school only provides medicine to students if they are potentially in danger of life. How do other secondary schools deal with students who are unwell?
It started with a strip of paracetamol and ended with a locked cupboard full of medicines, an administration and a key manager. “It took shape, of which I thought: We are not trained for this, and it is not our responsibility,” says Jack Ernst, director of the 'extra guidance' team at Udens College, a comprehensive school with three thousand students.
In addition to paracetamol and ibuprofen, the cupboard contained boxes of methylphenidate, such as Ritalin and Concerta, for students with ADD, Epipen (adrenaline injections to solve respiratory emergencies in allergic children), sets of insulin (pens) and glucagon for students with diabetes. type 1, puffs for children with asthma.
Ernst found the main objection to the extra administration of the stock and the users.
Register what is there and who owns it, and what goes out to whom. Medicines were sometimes left out of students who left school permanently. And, he says: "If you keep medication for students who forget, you should actually also check whether they have taken their pill."
Stripe underneath
The Udens College put an end to it last December after consultation with the GGD. "As a school, we are not there to distribute medication," says Ernst. "That has crept in, as more educational matters creep into the school." If students suffer from headaches, stomachaches or earaches during school hours, the GGD advises restraint. 'Because employees in general are not experts to make a correct diagnosis. The starting point must be that a pupil who is ill must go home ', according to the protocol.
Parents were notified in writing. Pupils who want paracetamol or methylphenidate have to arrange this themselves. “Some parents asked for an explanation. Why first and not anymore? Nobody was angry. Making the school smoke-free was more difficult. ” The only medication that is kept at school is for students who, without medication, can end up in danger of life, such as with type 1 diabetes, allergy or epilepsy. “That is an average of eight students per sector. That is perfectly manageable ”, says Ernst.
Unwell
“It makes sense of Udens College”, says Joop van der Wijngaard, vice principal at the Reformed School Community in Rotterdam (1050 students). Also at this school, the medicine cabinet is reserved for students with serious conditions, such as a student with adrenal insufficiency.
One of our concierges is specially trained to administer emergency medication.
A child who feels unwell reports to the student desk. "Sometimes after consultation with the parents, a paracetamol is given or the pupil goes home."
Scuppers
At the Van der Capelle Scholengemeenschap in Zwolle (1250 students) no pain-relieving medicines have been dispensed for two years. “There was no drag on,” said the employee at the student desk. “It was kept for a while by the operator who dispensed the pills. It was about dozens a day, it was getting out of control. Then the management decided: we no longer facilitate this. ” Students got used to it, he says. Occasionally someone comes by, and then he defaults to 'no'. “We advise students to put a paracetamol in their bag themselves. Girls with menstrual cramps can take this into account. ”
The Bonifatius College (1535 students) in Utrecht only gives paracetamol if 'a student himself has nothing with it', according to the employee who manages the dispensing point. "Actually we say: Make sure you have something in your bag yourself, because we are not a pharmacy."
“We'll keep an eye on it. We also believe that the student with pain should come and get it himself. Some students send another child to get paracetamol. Maybe because they use more than we like. Maybe that's because they don't eat and drink in the morning or whatever. Then they get a headache. ” A paracetamol administration does not keep up with the school. Not necessary, says the employee.
Pupils can also receive paracetamol at the Thorbecke school community in Zwolle (1900 students). “Every day there are three to four students,” says the receptionist. "Pupils who feel ill, report to the coordinator who may forward them to us." She staffs the reception in the morning, a colleague takes over in the afternoon. They keep an eye on it together. "If a child comes remarkably often, for example twice in a week or three times a month, we will pass it on to the mentor who informs the parents." There is a different solution for methylphenidate. “Students arrange it themselves. If a student has forgotten about it, the parents come to return it or they cycle home for it. ”
Medicine cabinet
At the Esdal College (3000 students) in Emmen, no medicine has been available at the six locations for three years. “No, are you crazy?” Responds director and manager Matthias Kooistra. When new students register in the student tracking system, it is registered whether they need a medical history and / or medication. “From adhd, pdd-nos and peanut allergy to asthma and muscle diseases, which prevent a student from taking part in gymnastics. Care is discussed with the student and his parents in the mentor meeting. All teachers and educational support staff are aware of this information. ”
Students with type 1 diabetes, allergies or epilepsy arrange their own medication. And also need to know what to do in an emergency, because there are no painkillers, no insulin sets, no spare puffs, no Epipenes on the Esdal. And it stays that way. Kooistra: "In the eight years that I have been working here, there has never been an emergency."
And what if a child is in such an emergency that the ambulance has to come? “Then I wouldn't introduce a medicine cabinet after that. On the contrary, I would urge parents and students even more to take responsibility for their medical health. As a school you should not want to take responsibility for that. ”
What does the GGD say? Read that in it article from Education Magazine 5 of 18 March 2017.
