Does child have a right to be suctioned?

[violas]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida.
I take care of a child who has a trach. I am a private duty nurse. This child goes to school. In order to survive, he has to be suctioned. However, the teachers are always telling the nurses what to do and how to do it. They tell the nurses that if the child has to be suctioned he has to go out into the hallway outside his class to get suctioned. However, I am curious. I have heard that at other schools the rule is "A child with a trach can be suctioned whenever and wherever he needs to be suctioned period. Does anyone know what the law is about this matter? Thanks.

 

[justalayman]

I'm not familiar with the process but I can think of two reasons it shouldn't be done in the classroom

1. it more than likely disturbs the teaching environment as long as the process it going on

2. people don't generally like to watch such procedures performed.

why would you ask that all the students time be interrupted the time it takes to perform this procedure?

Is the vacuum pump noisy?

I watched such a procedure on the 'net. Surely seems like it would be a heck of a distraction for the rest of the class.

 

[ecmst12]

I suspect, though perhaps wrongly, that this is not a mainstream class with non-disabled students.

 

[violas]

Thanks. This is a "special needs" school for children with "special needs." I have been told that in other schools they suction the child right in the classroom. They say Yes, at first the other children are very curious and will turn around to look each time the suction machine comes on. However, they say that after a while, the children get used to it and lose all interest in watching the suctioning. Yes, the suction machine is noisy. However, if I was the one having difficulty breathing I would certainly want to be suctioned right away. I wouldn't want to have to wait while the nurse gets all of her supplies ready and then have to wait until I am out in the hallway before I get my breath back.

 

[justalayman]

I understand your justification but isn't this something you can schedule to do every so often? I realize there are always exceptions but if the procedure is done proactively, would it not remove the need for the most part eliminate the need to perform it as an emergent action?

 

[violas]

This child's suctioning needs change from day to day. For example, I can suction him and then have to suction him again in 30 minutes. On other days, I can suction him and then not have to suction him again for 2 hours. It was explained to me that one should not be suctioned unless he actually needs it.

 

[Proserpina]

This child's suctioning needs change from day to day. For example, I can suction him and then have to suction him again in 30 minutes. On other days, I can suction him and then not have to suction him again for 2 hours. It was explained to me that one should not be suctioned unless he actually needs it.

No, you're right.

Suctioning needs can vary greatly.

However I'm just not convinced there's an actual statute addressing this - it would appear to go by the school's individual policy.

 

[Antigone*]

Why do you find it difficult to comply with the teacher's request? Suction the child outside as requested, no big deal

 

[Perky]

If it's important for the child to be suctioned immediately and in the classroom, then that should be in the child's 504 plan. If it isn't, the parents should request a review of the plan along with the child's doctor's recommendations.

 

[violas]

Thanks all for your advice. I appreciate it very much.