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Report Meningitis
Original Post
Meningitis - 23-05-08 20:55
by: newsetting
Hi all,
Just wanted to post this. A little boy in our setting came out in a rash at 9.30 yesterday morning. The staff member went to the manager as she thought it was an odd rash.The manager asked her to keep an eye on it, as we have had a chicken pox epidemic recently. She did this, but fifteen minutes later came back to the office, saying that the rash was spreading. She did the glass test, and the rash was non-blanching. They called me (I own the chain) and i told them to contact the parents immediately, as I dont take chances with rashes. Parents couldnt be contacted, so we contacted the doctor. We took the child to the doctors straight away and I met the manager there with the baby at 1030. The doctor tried to contact the parents,as well as the practise nurse, the receptionist and the nursery staff to no avail. In the end, I had to authorise emergency antibiotic loco parentis, and sign for them. The baby was rushed to hospital, by ambulance with blue lights flashing with me and the nursery manager. They suspected meningitis. Eventually the parents arrived at the hospital and myself and the nursery mangager left. It was so scary
The parents accused us of massively overeacting and stressing them out. They couldnt believe anything was really wrong
Today we have heard back from the parents. There child had blood test and was diagnosed with meningitis last night. If we had waited for them to collect him from nursery, he wouldnt have made it. If we had delayed getting him to hospital by one hour, he would have died. Our swift action saved this childs life.
My point is this: Childcare workers-have confidence in your knowledge and ability. Do not hesitate with taking a child to doctors or hospital, because it really may be a case of life or death.
If my staff had acted differently, I may be posting a very different message here tonight-maybe that a child in my care had died due to badly informed staff.
please take time to teach your staff the signs of meningitis-youu may save a childs life.
x Sian x