by Steffi Carrera ’14

In a school with more than 2,000 students, a medical emergency is not a matter of if, but when. Sherwood, like other schools throughout MCPS, has a specific protocol and a designated trained staff to assist students in medical distress.

Imagine sitting in the classroom when suddenly a student drops to the floor, and lies still for several seconds. How does the school go about handling this situation?

“You respond, and you make sure everyone’s safe,” said Security Assistant Andy Blasher. Security, the nurse, health tech and administrators are among the first to arrive on the scene. Generally, a teacher will push the small, black button located in all classrooms that calls the office, and will notify them of the emergency. The office immediately contacts the nurse and security via walkie-talkies. Five security personnel will reach the student, along with the nurse and health tech, in a matter of seconds. “There’s a really fast response time because Sherwood is prepared for these situations,” Blasher commented. “We’re ready for most anything.”

Registered Nurse Jennifer Jones decides the course of action in such emergencies. “First, [we] find out what happened, and if they’re okay,” Jones explained. Determining the cause of injury is an important first step because it influences what type of care the student will receive. “Why did they faint?” Jones asks theoretically. “Did they not eat? Are they dehydrated? Did they hit their head? It could be that they get a 911 call also.”

For minor emergencies, the student may be moved to the health room as it is a more private and comfortable area. However, if there is a major emergency it is often best to leave the student where he or she is if the area is not potentially dangerous.

All security personnel are trained in CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use and First Aid. Yet, only the nurse may carry and administer an “Epi-Pen.” An epinephrine auto-injector, more commonly known as an Epi-Pen, is a medical device that delivers a dose of epinephrine (adrenaline) to a person who is experiencing severe allergic reactions. Also known as anaphylactic shock, this reaction occurs when students come into contact with the substance they are allergic to. Symptoms of this type of shock include swelling or itchiness in the lips and throat, as well as hives covering the skin. Since the symptoms have a rapid onset, it is important for the health room to have a list of students with known allergies.

A new Anaphylaxis law, Maryland Senate Bill 621, was enacted  this past July. Jones explained, “MCPS and the Department of Health came together to decide how to comply with the new education law. MCPS took on purchasing general use Epi-Pens for unknown allergies of students … If we determine that we’re worried a student is having a reaction, we can give them epinephrine and call 911.” This piece of legislation requires all the staff in Maryland schools to have awareness training for anaphylaxis; Sherwood teachers must watch a five-minute training video, and then sign off with the school nurse afterward to verify that they have seen it.

If a student has a severe allergy, he or she should let the health room know and also provide an Epi-Pen to the school. However, of the 83 students who are listed as having an allergy, only 12 have given the nurse an Epi-Pen prescribed to them.

Situations where medical assistance is needed are not uncommon, so it is necessary to be well-prepared to handle every medical emergency a student may experience while inside the building. “We’re responsible for the safety and security of everybody, no matter what,” said Blasher.