Epilepsy management in School

18 Jan Epilepsy management in School

Educating the school nurse, teachers, staff, and students about epilepsy and its treatment, seizure first aid, and possible stigma associated with epilepsy.
• Following the seizure action plan and administering first aid (including the use of rescue medications).
• Understanding the importance of medication adherence and supporting students who take daily medications.
• Helping students avoid seizure triggers, such as flashing lights, or other triggers identified in the seizure action plan.
• Monitoring and addressing any related medical conditions, including mental health concerns such as depression.
• Providing ca se management services for students whose medical condition disrupts their school attendance or academic performance.

DO’S
• Stay with the person until the seizure ends and he or she is fully awake. After it ends, help the person sit in a safe place. Once they are alert and able to communicate, tell them what happened in very simple terms.
• Comfort the person and speak calmly.
• Check to see if the person is wearing a medical bracelet or other emergency information.
• Keep yourself and other people calm.
• Offer to call a taxi or another person to make sure the person gets home safely.

Knowing what NOT to do is important for keeping a person safe during or after a seizure.

Never do any of the following things

• Do not hold the person down or try to stop his or her movements.
• Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. This can injure teeth or the jaw. A person having a seizure cannot swallow his or her tongue.
• Do not try to give mouth-to-mouth breaths (like CPR). People usually start breathing again on their own after a seizure.
• Do not offer the person water or food until he or she is fully alert.