Medical Emergencies in the Classroom Robert J Flaherty MD Student Health Service Montana State University Bozeman At some point in your academic career you will have a medical emergency in your classroom This article should help you cope successfully BE PREPARED Invite your students to confidentially inform you if they have medical conditions that might become apparent during class These medical conditions could include seizure disorders asthma syncope fainting spells allergic reactions and severe heart disease Ask the student how they usually deal with their acute medical problem They have usually been through an acute attack and know how you can best assist them Quite a few college students have been trained as Emergency Medical Technicians or other first responders and they would be valuable resources in a classroom emergency It is likely that at least one such student is in your classroom don t hesitate to ask them for help If you do not know Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR take a CPR course through the Red Cross 587 4611 Bozeman Deaconess Hospital 595 5000 or the American Heart Association 800 242 8721 Knowing CPR is important not only for your students but for family emergencies as well If your building has an Automatic External Defibrillator make sure you know how to use it If you teach a lab or other class where students could be exposed to hazardous chemicals make sure you have a Material Safety Data Sheet MSDS readily available in the lab for each chemical The MSDS contains very important first aid information that you and the physicians will need to treat an exposed student Contact the MSU Office of Safety and Risk Management 9942711 for more information If a classroom emergency occurs and you are in doubt about how to proceed call 911 RESOURCES All students taking seven or more credits automatically pay a Student Health fee at the time of class registration which allows them to see a SHS health care provider at no charge There may be however a charge for lab and x ray tests and for medications Students can make appointments for care or can be seen on a walk in basis in the Acute Care area of the SHS Classroom Emergencies p 2 of 4 The SHS is located between the SUB and the EPS building on the east end of campus During the fall and spring semesters the SHS is open 8 00am 4 30pm weekdays and 8 00 11 30am on Saturdays During the summer semester the SHS is open 9 00am 4 00pm weekdays and is closed on weekends The SHS is open 8 00am 11 30am on weekdays during semester breaks The SHS is unable to send staff members to respond to an emergency If you feel a student needs to be attended to on site call 911 Classroom Emergencies p 3 of 4 RESPONDING TO CLASSROOM EMERGENCIES The following algorithm will help you respond to the most common classroom emergencies For emergencies not covered by the algorithm call the SHS 994 2311 or 911 Bleeding YES Send with a companion to Student Health Service 8 00am4 30pm weekdays 8 00am 11 30am Saturday or if after hours to Bozeman Urgent Care Family Doctors Urgent Care or Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Emergency Room If not able to go to SHS or other clinic or if in doubt call 911 YES Send with a companion to Student Health Service 8 00am4 30pm weekdays 8 00am 11 30am Saturday or if after hours to Bozeman Urgent Care Family Doctors Urgent Care or Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Emergency Room BRING THE MSDS FOR THE CHEMICAL If not able to go to SHS or other clinic or if in doubt call 911 YES Have the patient take their own medications if available If able send with a companion to Student Health Service 8 00am 4 30pm weekdays 8 00am 11 30am Saturday or if after hours to Bozeman Urgent Care Family Doctors Urgent Care or Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Emergency Room If not able to go to SHS or other clinic or if in doubt call 911 NO Chemical exposure NO Difficulty breathing NO Seizure YES NO Loss of consciousness ness YES Protect from injury e g pad pillow for head Do not put anything in their mouth they will not swallow their tongue Let the seizure run its course it should last less than 5 minutes Once they have recovered and if able send with a companion to Student Health Service 8 00am 4 30pm weekdays 8 00am 11 30am Saturday or if after hours to Bozeman Urgent Care Family Doctors Urgent Care or Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Emergency Room If not able to go to SHS or other clinic or if in doubt call 911 Try to arouse by shaking and shouting their name Check airway breathing circulation If necessary begin Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR Call 911 Classroom Emergencies p 4 of 4 EMERGENCY ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS Student Health Service 994 2311 Emergency Campus Police 911 from any campus phone Bozeman Deaconess Hospital 915 Highland Blvd 595 5000 Bozeman Urgent Care 1006 W Main 586 8711 Family Doctors Urgent Care 120 North 19th 556 9740 Rev 2 19 03