Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District nursing staff outline AED, Narcan and training procedures to athletic subcommittee
Summary
The district nursing team told the athletic subcommittee there are 53 school AEDs, portable units with athletic staff, weekly inspection routines, stocked epinephrine and naloxone supplied through state programs, and growing staff CPR/AED training.
Deb Tanzit, director of nursing, and Jackie Western, assistant director of nursing, briefed the athletic subcommittee on Lynn Public Schools' AED program and emergency medical readiness. "For more than 20 years, the nursing department has maintained a comprehensive system to ensure that all AEDs are fully operational and ready for use," Tanzit said.
Tanzit said the district currently has 53 school AEDs plus additional devices at recreation sites and in portable bags used by athletic trainers. School nurses or trained staff inspect each AED weekly for readiness, battery status and pad expiration; batteries were described as generally lasting five years. The nurses keep checklists and a master expiration calendar for ordering replacements.
The presentation also addressed related emergency equipment: each AED station includes a bleeding-control kit and a two-pack of naloxone; the district receives epinephrine and naloxone through state programs. Staff training was emphasized: in the last two years district school nurses have trained 258 staff members in CPR and AED use, and the district has worked with the fire department to provide CPR training to FDCA 11th graders.
Committee members asked whether portable AEDs cover off-site practice locations that are not LPS property. Athletic staff said portable units are carried to practices and coaches are required to be CPR certified; the district acknowledged gaps at some community sites and said it is exploring options to ensure coverage.
The committee praised the district's procedures and requested follow-up on coverage for non-LPS practice sites and plans to expand Narcan training across staff.
