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3418 - Response to Student Injury or Illness

When a student is injured it is the responsibility of staff to see that immediate attention and care is given the injured party until relieved by an administrator, a nurse, an employee with first aid training, emergency personnel, or other medical personnel. Word of the incident should be sent to the school’s building’s main office. The nurse, principal, or designated staff should immediately contact 911, the parent, or both.

Except in cases of very minor injuries (e.g., cuts, scrapes, rug burns) that, in the judgment of the school nurse or other trained, designated staff member, do not pose a serious health risk to the student and will not worsen if the student remains at school, the principal or designee and school nurse (if not already notified) will be promptly notified of any student's: 1) injury; 2) illness; or 3) physical trauma that could have caused injuries as yet unobservable. 

The principal, school nurse, or other trained designated staff member will determine whether the injury, illness or trauma is serious enough to warrant calling 911. Upon finding that it is not, the appropriate staff member will provide appropriate first aid to the student consistent with their training. 

In the event that the parent or emergency contact cannot be reached and in the judgment of the principal, nurse, or person in charge, the student needs emergent medical care, the injured student may be transported to receive such care. However, an injured or ill student should only be moved if a first aid provider has determined that it is safe to do so. Students with head or neck injuries should only be moved or transported by emergency medical technicians. Cost of emergency transportation and/or treatment shall be the responsibility of the student's parent(s)/guardian(s).

Any school district employee who is not licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW who renders emergency care at the scene of an emergency during an officially designated school activity or who participates in transporting an injured person or persons for emergency medical treatment shall not be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such emergency care or in transporting such persons, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

The District is not qualified under law to comply with directives to physicians to limit medical treatment and will not accept such directives.

Following any injury accident, a written report (see 3431 F) shall be completed and submitted to the District’s Risk Manager.

Adopted:

9/24/1986

Last Revised:

8/1/2019

Legal References:

  • RCW 70.54.310 Semiautomatic external defibrillators – Duty of acquirer – Immunity from civil liability
  • RCW 4.24.300 Immunity from liability for certain types of medical care
  • RCW 28A.605.010 Removing child from school grounds during school hour