Teresa,
When we worked with a student with epilepsy, it was a long-standing condition and well controlled with meds. The student approached us to see if there was any restriction. We
(staff, Instructor & TA) met with her and invited a nurse from Student Health Services to join us. We listened to the student, who told us about her illness and what to do (& not do) in case of a seizure. She had a good grasp of the situation and the nurse
concurred with her assessments.
We agreed that the student would:
-
Keep the TRA informed of any changes in her condition.
-
Keep her emergency medication close at hand & let the TA know where it was stored.
There were no incidents through the quarter.
I hope your experience is as easy, but a new diagnosis may involve some adjustments to medication over time. If you can get the student to talk to you & pull in her health advisor
(with her consent, of course) you can probably find your way. I'm sure the student will be as anxious for a good outcome as you are. You=E2=80™ll all learn a lot!
Sheila
Sheila M. Kennedy, C.H.O.
Safety Coordinator | Teaching Laboratories
Chemistry & Biochemistry |University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Dr. | La Jolla, CA 92093-0303
(858) 534 - 0221 | MC 0303 | YORK HALL 3150
s1kennedy**At_Symbol_Here**ucsd.edu | Student Lab Safety,
CHEM Teaching Labs
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu]
On Behalf Of Teresa Arnold
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 3:29 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Epilepsy in the Lab
Hello,
We have a student recently diagnosed with epilepsy. She will be researching with one of our PI's this summer. If you have some experience with this scenario and have some protocols in place for epilepsy and
safety in the lab, I sure would appreciate your thoughts.
We will of course, be
=B7
enforcing the 'don't work alone' policy, as per usual
=B7
requiring the use of carts instead of hand-held secondary containers
=B7
working up a first aid training and protocol for her lab and floor mates
Useful things to consider would be very much appreciated!
Thanks,
Teresa
Teresa Arnold
Biology-Chemistry Lab Manager
George Fox University
414 N. Meridian St. #6144
Newberg, OR 97132
503.554.2724
Member of the National Association of Scientific Materials Managers since 2004
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