jlcea- do not resuscitate directive for students

Date Adopted: 1 December 2004

Current Review / Revision: 1 December 2004

In very isolated situations, a child who is terminally ill may be enrolled and actively participating in a public school. This policy sets forth what school personnel may and must do if a student subject to a "do not resuscitate" (DNR) directive faces a life-threatening medical emergency.

The law provides that a DNR directive may be directed to emergency medical service providers licensed or certified under Title 26, Chapter 8A, Utah Code Annotated. The law further provides that those licensed or certified emergency medical providers may be directed to withhold all life-sustaining procedures. Professionals licensed pursuant to Utah Code Annotated 26-8A-302 include paramedics, medical directors, emergency medical service instructors and other emergency medical personnel.

The law only permits the issuance of such a directive for persons who are 18 years of age or older. Therefore, DNR directives are not valid when issued for persons less that 18 years old.

Medical service providers who are school employees may have responsibilities related to the treatment or withholding of treatment for a person who is 18 years of age or older for whom a valid directive has been issued.

With the exception of situations governed by the paragraph above, it is the policy of the school district that first aid shall be provided to any and all students in need of such assistance while under the control and/or supervision of the School District. DNR directives will not be followed by school district staff who are not licensed under Section 26-8A- 302 or for any student who is younger that 18 years old.

When a school employee or volunteer observes or becomes aware of a medical emergency involving a student, normal responsive actions should be taken, including the summoning of emergency medical personnel and administering first aid.

This should be done by school staff irrespective of whether a DNR directive is in place and has been provided to the school with respect to that particular student.