Safety at School or Work
A Seizure Action Plan is particularly important in settings where a primary caregiver or partner who understands the patient’s epilepsy is not present.
In a school setting a child may need both a Seizure Action Plan and medical orders for the school nurse, depending on the school system, and school nurses may be able to help with the development of a SAP for the school setting. A school SAP may need to be adapted to include information about the recommended length and intensity of observation required after a seizure or administration of rescue meds [8]. Additionally, aspects of the SAP may need to be incorporated into the child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). A school SAP may need additional background on the child’s typical seizure pattern and understanding seizure clusters, as this can be an area of uncertainty among school nurses, and some school systems may have differing requirements about the need to notify emergency medical services in a seizure emergency [9]. The SAP Coalition Back to School Checklist offers resources to assure your child has everything they need in place at school to help keep them safe.
If a chance exists you will have a seizure at work, it is a good idea to share your SAP with your employer and co-workers, as well as to determine any accommodations that will keep you safe in the workplace.
