RE: [Philmont]: Medication information and privacy

Wow, looks like some innocent suggestions really hit a nerve with some.
I'm going to leave most of this alone as to the legal issues. But just
so that you don't think I am some nosey Scoutmaster who wants to know,
and share all the sordid details of my Scouts and fellow Scouters
medical history, let me just state the following:
1) I have a couple of levels of training in Emergency Medical Care and
am certified to operate within a given scope of practice by my home
state. No, I am not a Doctor, and don't do 'Doctor stuff'. I don't even
know how to play golf (sorry). I stay within my scope of practice.
2) When we are away from the road and something happens of a medical
nature, I am 'the guy'. And I am responsible whether I like it or not
because by law I have a "Duty to Act". I would be remiss and possibly
held negligent to not know what the issues are that face my patient that
will affect his treatment.
3) In my 35 years in Scouting I have had some damn scary things happen,
and I'd like to think I've learned from that experience.
4) All of the medical information I get about my crews stays with me
alone, unless there is an incident that requires me to share it with
other health care providers. Most of the information I get about the
youth comes directly from the parents in private conversations, and it
is usually volunteered. I do not insist on getting information if the
parents aren't willing. And yes, I only ask about the same things that
would be on a class 3 BSA medical (for high adventure trips).
5) The questions I ask and the information I receive is in no way
different than the information I get from a patient at a car accident or
medical call I am working. I comply with all HIPPA regulations in every
case.
6) When I take those kids out, they are my responsibility and I take
that burden very seriously. To date, no Scouting professional has had a
problem with the way I do things.
 
 Maybe there is something wrong with me, but I don't see what the
problem is here. We are talking about their health and safety, we are
talking about having proper doses of properly prescribed medications,
given under the proper conditions.
 Many years ago I was the guy that never worried about this stuff. I
figured if a kid got sick, we'd just take him to a hospital. But in the
intervening years I've had many close calls, and took it upon myself to
get certified and trained so that I can do a better job of keeping them
safe and well cared for when they are in my charge. If that's opening me
up to liability, so be it.
 I really hope I haven't written anything here that will send someone
through the roof. We need a new questions like "which is better,
Nalgenes or hydration bladders?"

Happy Hiking,
 Tom

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Received on Sun Dec 4 21:08:00 2005