484 - The Preparedness of Schools to Manage Emergencies and Disasters affecting Students: A National Survey

Analysis was performed on 994 questionnaires (50% response rate). The majority of responders worked in a suburban setting (47%) and in the Northeast (28%). The most common reported emergencies included general illness, shortness of breath, acute headache, extremity sprain/strain, psychiatric/behavioral health, and seizure.

68% (612/900) of responders reported having a Medical Emergency Response Plan (MERP), while 113 were unaware if a MERP existed. 54% of responders practiced their MERP at least yearly, 32% had developed relationships with local prehospital care, 67% had a communication network linking the entire school campus, 63% had a MERP specific to children with special needs, and 34% had a MERP specific to cardiac emergencies.

66% (581/876) of responders reported having a response plan specific to mass casualty events (153 responders were unaware of this plan), 59% coordinated disaster drills with local prehospital care, 80% had specific plans for evacuation, 82% had specific plans for “lockdown”, 77% had locked doors at all entrances, and 18% had armed security guards on campus.

In terms of training, 90% of responders were trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 79% were trained in Stop the Bleed, 98% were trained to use a self-injectable epinephrine device, and 89% were trained in the recognition of concussions.

Responders have the following medications/equipment immediately available: self-inflating resuscitation device (33%), oxygen source (10%), albuterol inhalers with spacers (38%), epinephrine pen (76%), automated external defibrillator (97%), bleeding control kits (71%), and naloxone (39%).


Conclusion(s):

Based on our national sample of school nurses, we have identified strengths and areas for improvement in school emergency and disaster preparedness.