HEALTH CARE EMERGENCIES / AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION - 5141

Emergency Contact Information

In order to facilitate contact in case of an emergency or accident, the principal or designee shall annually request that parents/guardians provide the following information:

1.      Home address and telephone number

2.      Parent/guardian's business address and telephone number

3.      Parent/guardian's cell phone number and email address, if applicable

4.      Name, address, and telephone number of an alternative contact person to whom the student may be released and who is authorized by the parent/guardian to care for the student in cases of emergency or when the parent/guardian cannot be reached

5.      Local physician to call in case of emergency

In addition, parents/guardians shall be encouraged to notify the school whenever their emergency contact information changes.

Notification/Consent for Medical Treatment

Whenever a student requires emergency or urgent medical treatment while at school or a school-sponsored activity, the principal or designee shall, when medically feasible, contact the parent/guardian or other person identified on the emergency contact form in order to obtain consent for the medical treatment.

If the student's parent/guardian or other contact person cannot be reached to provide consent, the principal may seek reasonable medical treatment for the student as needed, unless the parent/guardian has previously filed with the District a written objection to any medical treatment other than first aid.

A person who has filed with the District a completed caregiver's authorization affidavit pursuant to Family Code 6550-6552 shall have the right to consent to or refuse school-related medical care on behalf of the minor student. The caregiver's authorization shall be invalid if the District receives notice that the minor student is no longer living with the caregiver or if the Superintendent or designee has actual knowledge of facts contrary to those stated on the affidavit.  (Family Code 6550)

The caregiver's consent to medical care shall be superseded by any contravening decision of the parent or other person having legal custody of the student, provided that this contravening decision does not jeopardize the student's life, health, or safety.  (Family Code 6550)

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

An AED is used to treat victims who experience Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) as defined in the next paragraph). It is only to be applied to victims who are unconscious, and without pulse, signs of circulation and normal breathing. The AED will analyze the heart rhythm and advise the operator if a shockable rhythm is detected. If a shockable rhythm is detected, the AED will charge to the appropriate energy level and advise the operator to deliver a shock.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a condition that occurs when the electrical impulses of the human heart malfunction causing a disturbance in the heart's electrical rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). This erratic and ineffective electrical heart rhythm causes complete cessation of the heart's normal function of pumping blood resulting in sudden death. The most effective treatment of this condition is the administration of an electrical current to the heart by a defibrillator, delivered within a short time of the onset of VF.

The Irvine Unified District Coordinator of Health Services is the District AED Coordinator. Each site will designate their AED Site Coordinator.

The District AED Coordinator shall annually notify an agent of the local emergency medical services agency of the existence, location, and type of AED acquired. (Health and Safety Code 1797.196, 1797.200)

The AED Site Coordinator shall ensure that the AED placed at their school is maintained and tested according to the operation and maintenance guidelines set forth by the manufacturer.  (Health and Safety Code 1797.196)

The District AED Coordinator shall develop a written plan which describes the procedures to be followed in the event of a medical emergency, including an emergency that may involve the use of an AED.  These procedures should include, but not be limited to, requirements for immediate notification of the 911 emergency telephone number in the event of an emergency that may involve the use of an AED.

The AED Site Coordinator or school nurse shall annually provide information to school employees that describes: (Health and Safety Code 1797.196)

1.      Sudden Cardiac Arrest

2.      The school's emergency response plan

3.      The proper use of an AED

Instructions on how to use the AED, in no less than 14-point type, shall be posted next to every AED.  In addition, school employees shall be notified annually of the location of all AED units on campus.  (Health and Safety Code 1797.196)

Each AED shall be checked for readiness at least biannually and after each use. In addition, the AED Site Coordinator or designee shall perform a monthly check of the AED(s) for rescue readiness and record the results. The District AED Coordinator shall maintain records of these checks.  (Health and Safety Code 1797.196)

Legal Reference:

Education Code
32040-32044 First Aid equipment
49300-49307 School safety patrols
49407 Liability for treatment
49408 Emergency information
49409 Athletic events; physicians and surgeons; emergency medical care; immunity
49470 Medical and hospital services for athletic program
49471 Medical and hospital services not provided or available
49472 Medical and hospital services for pupils
49474 Ambulance services
51202 Instruction in personal and public health and safety

Health and Safety Code
1797.196 Automatic external defibrillators, immunity from civil liability

Web Sites
American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org
American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org
California Department of Health Services: http://dhs.ca.gov

Revised: May 4, 2010
Revised: July 11, 2023