10A NCAC 09 .0802. EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE

(a)  Each child care center shall have a written plan which assures that emergency medical care is available or can be obtained for children.  The plan shall be reviewed during staff orientation with new staff and with all staff at least twice each year.  This plan shall give the procedures to be followed to assure that any child who becomes ill or is injured and requires medical attention while at the center, or while participating in any activity provided or sponsored by the center, receives appropriate medical attention.  The following information shall be included in the center's emergency medical care plan:

(1)           The name, address, and telephone number of a health care professional, community clinic, or local health department that is available to provide medical consultation;

(2)           The name, address, and telephone number of the emergency room to be used when the parent's or family's health care professional cannot be reached or when transporting the ill or injured child to the person's preferred hospital could result in serious delay in obtaining medical attention;

(3)           Designation of a means of transportation always available for use in the event of a medical emergency;

(4)           The name of the person, and his or her alternate, at the center, responsible for determining which of the following is needed, carrying out that plan of action, and assuring that appropriate medical care is given:

(A)          Simple first aid given at the center for an injury or illness needing only minimal attention;

(B)          Advice from previously identified medical consultant in order to decide if care is to be given at the center or if the ill or injured child is to be transported to a designated medical resource; or

(C)          Immediate transportation of the child to a designated medical resource for appropriate treatment;

(5)           The person(s) at the center responsible for:

(A)          Assuring that the signed authorization described in Paragraph (c) of this Rule is taken with the ill or injured child to the medical facility;

(B)          Accompanying the ill or injured child to the medical facility;

(C)          Notifying a child's parents or emergency contact person about the illness or injury and where the child has been taken for treatment;

(D)          Notifying the medical facility about the ill or injured child being transported for treatment; and

(E)           Obtaining substitute staff, if needed, to maintain required staff/child ratio and adequate supervision of children who remain in the center; and

(6)           A statement giving the location of the telephone located on the premises which is in good working condition and is always available for use in case of emergency.  Telephone numbers for the fire department, law enforcement office, emergency medical service, and poison control center shall be posted within sight of the telephone.  A telephone located in an office in the center that is sometimes locked during the time the children are present shall not be designated for use in an emergency.

(b)  Emergency medical care information shall be on file for each individual child.  That information shall include the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency, the responsible party's choice of health care professional and preferred hospital; any chronic illness the individual has and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on assuring safe medical treatment for the child.  This emergency medical care information shall be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and shall be updated as changes occur and at least annually.

(c)  Each child's parent, legal guardian, or full-time custodian shall sign a statement authorizing the center to obtain medical attention for the child in an emergency.  That statement shall be on file on the first day the child attends the center.  It shall be easily accessible to staff so that it can be taken with the child whenever emergency medical treatment is necessary.

(d)  An incident report shall be completed each time a child receives medical treatment by a health care professional, community clinic, or local health department, as a result of an incident occurring while the child is at the child care center.  This incident report shall include:

(1)           the child's name, date and time of incident, part of body injured, type of injury,

(2)           the names of adult witnesses to incident,

(3)           a description of how and where incident occurred,

(4)           the piece of equipment involved (if any),

(5)           any treatment received, and

(6)           the steps taken to prevent reoccurrence.

This report shall be signed by the person completing it and by the parent, and maintained in the child's file.  A copy of the incident report shall be mailed to a representative of the Division within seven calendar days after treatment.

(e)  An incident log shall be completed any time an incident report is completed.  This log shall be cumulative and maintained in a separate file and shall be available for review by a representative of the Division.  This log shall be completed on a form provided by the Division.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 110-85; 110-91(1),(9); 143B-168.3;

Eff. January 1, 1986;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2010; July 1, 1998; January 1, 1996; October 1, 1991; November 1, 1989.