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12: Health, Hygiene and Safety Policy
Medical conditions Policy
Policy Number – 12.10
Link to National Regulations and National Quality Framework
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Quality Area 2: Children’s health and safety – Standard 2.3 - Element 2.3.3 -Plans to
effectively manage incidence and emergencies are developed in consultation with
relevant authorities practiced and implemented
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National Regulations: 101: Medical conditions policy
National Quality Framework (October 2011)
Education and Care Services National Regulations (13.12.2011)
Aim
Chilverleigh Early Learning’s Medical conditions policy sets out practices in relation to the
management of medical conditions including anaphylaxis, febrile convulsions, epilepsy,
diabetes and asthma. The policy includes a management plan which is to be followed in
the event of an incident relating to the medical condition and aims to minimise the risk
associated with these medical conditions.
Rationale
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction and potentially life threatening medical condition
which occurs after a person is exposed to the allergen they are allergic too (Australian
Government department of health and ageing, 2006). Asthma is a common medical
condition which is associated with inflamed airways (ASCIA, 2010), epilepsy and febrile
convulsions involves an uncontrollable body reaction when prompted by a stimulus and
diabetes is a chronic disease which is diagnosed when the body lacks or stops the
production of insulin (Diabetes Australia, 2011).
All these medical conditions are critical to a person’s health and life. By providing
management plans and procedures the risk of an attack or severe reaction can be
minimised and serious injury eradicated. As these medical conditions are relevant to
certain children within the centre and commonly occur in children, it is critical that
management procedures are documented and easily accessible to staff and families.
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12: Health, Hygiene and Safety Policy
Medical conditions Procedures
- Please see attached asthma, anaphylaxis and seizure plans.
Implementation
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On the enrolment form each parent will be asked about their child’s medical status.
Parents will be asked to provide an up to date management plan which will be
displayed around the centre and understood by all staff.
A risk minimisation plan will also be provided for parents which will ensure that
risks relating to the child’s specific health care needs are assessed and minimised.
Any ongoing condition/illness will require the parent to fill out an additional form
in regards to managing the condition e.g. Asthma
All plans will include strategies to minimise risks and parents will be notified of any
known allergens that pose a risk to a child.
A child with a medical condition will not attend the centre without medication
prescribed by the child’s medical practitioner in relation to the child’s specific
health care needs.
All parents will be provided annually with a copy of the medical conditions policy
and informed about Chilverleigh Early Learning’s management procedures and
management plans
Parents will always be given the opportunity to communicate any changes about the
medical management plan and risk management plan for the child.
Asthma Management
 A written “Asthma Management Plan” must be available for each individual child
who suffers with Asthma, detailing;
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name and contact details for parents/guardians
emergency contact and doctor
signs and symptoms of asthma
signs of deteriorating asthma
triggers
details of medications
A photo of the child
preferred Asthma First Aid Plan
A letter from the doctor is also helpful for staff in terms of explaining the nature of the
condition and the treatment needed, along with any specific instructions.
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12: Health, Hygiene and Safety Policy
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the ‘Asthma Management Plan’ must be reviewed by the child’s doctor and
management of the centre annually.
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Parents will be contacted and/or medical assistance sought if the child’s asthma
symptoms progress whilst in the centre. Symptoms include; coughing, shortness of
breath, tightness in the chest and wheezing – a high pitched raspy sound on
breathing.
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During an Asthma attack coughing, wheezing or breathlessness can quickly worsen,
signs of a severe Asthma attack include;
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shortness of breath
rapid breathing
severe chest tightness
being unable to speak more than one or two words per breath
distress or feeling frightened
little or no improvement after using reliever medication (Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl,
Epaq or Ventolin)
‘sucking in’ throat and ribs
Blue colour around the ribs
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If any child has the above symptoms call an ambulance (dial 000) straight away.
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At least one staff member who has completed accredited Asthma training will be
on the premises at all operating times.
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An emergency asthma reliever (Ventolin) and spacer is readily available in a First
Aid Kit in both children’s bathrooms.
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Asthma education is included in the children’s program.
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Asthma First Aid posters are on display containing clear information about Asthma
and Asthma symptoms.
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Staff are to be aware of what ‘triggers’ or makes a child’s asthma worse. The most
common are; colds and flu, exercise, inhaled allergens (pollens, moulds, animal
hair and dust), cigarette smoke, changes in temperature and weather, and some
foods and food preservatives, flavourings and colourings.
Anaphylaxis Management
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A written “ Anaphylaxis Action Plan” must be available for each individual child
who suffers from Anaphylaxis, detailing;
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-name and contact details for parents/guardians
-Confirmed allergens
- Family emergency contact names and details
-The doctors contact details
-work, home and mobile phone number of the parents
-information surrounding which doctor the plan was prepared by and a signature
and date from the doctor
-details of medications
- A photo of the child
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At least one staff member who has completed accredited Anaphylaxis training will
be on the premises at all operating times.
Severe allergy reactions or signs of anaphylaxis include:
- Difficult/ noisy breathing
- Swelling of tongue
- Swelling/ tightness in throat
- Difficulty talking and/ or hoarse voice
- Wheeze or persistent cough
- Loss of consciousness and/or collapse
- Pale and floppy (in young children)
Action to be taken if signs of anaphylaxis occur:
- Give the adrenaline autoinjector if available ( instructions are included in the
ASICIA action plan for anaphylaxis, stored with the adrenaline autoinjector)
- Call ambulance (000)
- Lay person flat and elevate legs- if breathing is difficult, allow to sit but do not
stand.
- Contact parent/ guardian or other emergency contact
- Further adrenaline doses may be given (when an additional adrenaline autoinjector
is available), if there is no response after 5 minutes.
- In the ambulance oxygen will usually be administered to the patient by paramedics.
- Medical observation of the patient in hospital for at least 4 hours is recommended
after anaphylaxis
(ASCIA, 2010)
Epilepsy and febrile convulsions management
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A written “Seizure Plan” must be available for each individual child who is at risk
of having a Seizure, detailing;
-name and contact details for parents/guardians
-address
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-Birth date
-Seizure type/ nickname, what happens, how long it lasts and how often
- Triggers
- daily seizure medicine, amount of liquid, seizure treatment and other seizure
treatments
- seizure first aid and whether additional help is needed
First Aid management of seizures
Major Seizures -Convulsive seizures with major movement manifestations
eg: tonic-clonic, tonic, myoclonic, atonic, and partial motor seizure
1 Stay calm
2 Check for medical identification
3 Protect the person from injury by removing harmful objects close to them. Loosen any
tight clothing or restraints. Place something soft under their head.
4 Stay with the person and reassure them. Do not put anything in their mouth and do not
restrain them
5 Time the seizure
6 When the seizure is over, roll the person onto their side to keep their airway clear
7 Treat any injuries
8 Consider if an ambulance needs to be called (see below)
9 Stay with the person and reassure them, they may be sleepy, confused or combative after
the seizure
Minor Seizures - Seizures with staring, impaired consciousness or unusual behaviour e.g.
complex partial seizures and absence seizures
1 Stay calm
2 Check for medical identification
3 Protect the person from injury by removing harmful objects close to them.
4 Stay with the person and reassure them
5 Time the seizure
6 If a tonic-clonic seizure develops, follow major seizure management
7 Stay with the person and reassure them, they may be sleepy, confused or combative after
the seizure
When to call an ambulance:
It is not necessary to call an ambulance every time a seizure occurs in a person with known
epilepsy. Most people who have epilepsy and have a seizure will recover without difficulty
after a few minutes and may only need limited assistance. There are circumstances when an
ambulance should be called by dialling 000 on the telephone and these are when:
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The seizure lasts longer than 5-10 minutes
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Another seizure quickly follows
The person remains unconscious after the seizures ceases
The person has been injured
You are about to administer diazepam or midazolam
You are unsure
The seizure happens in water
The person is pregnant or a diabetic
The person is not known to have epilepsy
Questions asked by the ambulance office
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What is the exact location of the emergency?
What is your contact phone number?
What is the problem? What exactly happened?
What is the age of the person needing the ambulance?
Is the person conscious?
Is the person breathing?
To assist the ambulance
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Avoid third party calls. Whoever is with the person and has the most current,
accurate information should speak to the operator.
Answer each question calmly, accurately.
Provide accurate location details - the nearest intersection is helpful.
Have someone wait outside.
Ring back on 000 if the person's condition changes.
Diabetes Management
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a problem where there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. Glucose comes
from the food we eat and is needed by the body for energy. Insulin is a hormone that helps
glucose get into the cells to make energy. In diabetes, the body does not make enough
insulin or the insulin is not doing its job properly. Some people have what is called 'insulin
resistance' which means the body has to make more insulin to do the same job. This will
cause high blood glucose levels. If not controlled this can lead to health problems.
Diabetes can cause
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Heart attacks
Strokes
Peripheral vascular disease, which can cause skin ulcers
Damaged nerves, causing numbness, pain, or weakness
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Kidney failure
Blindness
Increased risk of infections.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas no longer produces the insulin needed.
• Represents 10 to 15 per cent of all cases of diabetes
• Is the most common chronic childhood diseases in developed nations
• Is not caused by lifestyle factors
While we don’t know the exact cause of type 1 diabetes, it is thought that some people
have a genetic predisposition for this condition and when exposed to a trigger, possibly a
viral infection, the immune system then destroys the insulin producing cells in the
pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections several times a day for life.
Type 2 diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas is not producing enough insulin and the insulin
is not working effectively.
• Represents 85 to 90 per cent of all cases of diabetes
• Risk factors include family history, being overweight and ethnic background
• Lifestyle factors such as unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity can contribute to
the development of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. While it usually affects mature adults, more
young people, and even children, are being diagnosed.
Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes
Risk factors you cannot change:
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Age,
family history,
ethnic background,
gestational diabetes,
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Risk factors you can change:
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Maintaining healthy weight,
making lifestyle changes by following a healthy eating plan and doing regular
physical activity and having regular health checks.
Hypos
A hypo is when your blood glucose level (BGL) goes too low. When this happens you
might feel:
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Sweaty
Shaky
Sleepy
Cross
Weak
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Find it hard to concentrate
Have a headache
Feel like crying
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Hypos can be caused by lots of different things, like exercise, not eating enough at meals,
skipping meals or too much insulin. Common times for hypos at preschool are just before
morning tea or lunch, during and after physical exercise, however, they can happen at any
time.
What to do when a child has a hypo
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Quickly get them something sweet to eat or drink straight away and then eat
something else to stop the hypo from coming back.
If it is just before morning tea or lunch, something sweet should be eaten or drank
before the morning tea or lunch food.
Ensure the child has a hypo kit at preschool at all times
An ID that says the child has diabetes, like a necklace or bracelet should be worn at all
times.
An ID card should also be carried in your child’s bag. This is important just in case
someone does not know you have diabetes and you have a hypo or get sick.
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