DCK With Open Wound - WWYD?
Long post - sorry!
So I had my first conflict today with a mom that I really like and it's left me feeling a little unsure about whether I handled the situation well. dck (14 months) has had some kind of infected abcess on his neck for several weeks. It went undiagnosed and untreated for a long time (docs said it would go away on its own) and gradually grew larger and more infected. dck had missed 1 afternoon of dc a few weeks ago when I called dcd to let him know this lump had appeared and maybe they should check it out. dck had to be admitted to hospital this week to have it surgically removed. He missed another two days while in hospital and then was back in dc the day after being discharged. They have a drs note saying he is well enough to return. Yesterday I admitted him. He had a bandage wrapped around the wound and it looked scabby and seemed to be healing well. Today, he kept tugging on the bandage, managed to pull off the scab and has an open wound about 1" long. So, I called dad and asked that he be taken home as he seemed uncomfortable and is walking round with a seeping, open wound. Mom came to pick him up over 3 hours after I called and was visibly mad at me. She said she is in danger of losing her job if she takes more time off and that its unreasonable to send a child home just because he is tugging on his bandage. I stood my ground and said he has also been unable to sleep or eat (very unlike dck) and that I wasn't comfortable having a non verbal child walking around with an open wound. She took him home but was clearly not happy to do so. Would you have done the same thing? Are there any rules about open wounds in daycare situations? I hate conflict and always come out thinking I did the wrong thing :( Thank you for 'listening' |
I absolutely would have sent him home. It is unsafe and unsanitary to have an open seeping wound in a group setting. Period.
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Absolutely you should have sent him home. That is so unsanitary and so dangerous--for the other kids AND for him. His parents need to realize that walking around with a gaping open wound could easily get infected and he could get very sick. You should follow up with the mom and say that in order to be admitted back into your care, he needs to have to have the wound bandaged in a way so that he can't remove it.
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I feel you definitely had the right to send him home. I personally probably would have just rebandaged the wound.
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Originally Posted by butterfly: I had initially offered to redress any wounds when she mentioned he was returning after surgery but dcm specifically asked me not to do this as the doc said it would heal quicker if left exposed. Kind of felt like a no win situation :( |
I would have sent home as well. No open wounds of any kind. Especially if they are oozing.
Don't feel bad. It's not your fault that DCM has issues with her work. Her problem not yours. I would have told DCM then you need to arrange back up care, because what would you do if that wound got infected and he ended up in the hospital? Is she not going to go because she has no more time off? Of course not. I believe it is against the law for her employer to let her go because She needs to care for a sick child. I would send her a text later tonight checking on dcb... |
Originally Posted by Stepping: |
Originally Posted by butterfly: |
Originally Posted by Stepping: |
If I was told it couldn't be recovered (tho I wonder why it could be covered originally and not re-covered:confused: ) I would have sent him home. That isn't safe for anyone. I would text or call dcm and see how he is doing and ask if she would agree to a covering while in care. I would then ask that she supply back ups. I would make sure she understood it must be covered in daycare.
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I would not offer to re wrap it. I don't have a medical background so I would not be comfortable in doing so. I tell parents. If its more than soap, water and a standard size bandaid I send home.
This parent send her kid back a day after surgery ? Ugh poor kid |
Thanks for the feedback everyone. It really helps to hear other's input. He is a lovely little guy and I hated to send him home but it felt like the right thing to do at the time. I plan on messaging mom later to check up on him and discuss the bandage situation.
They are sending mixed messages as dad said the infection is still present (he's on antibiotics) but mom said it isn't. The wound had a covering but it was very loose and not taped, when I offered to tape it , that's when mom said it was to be kept loose. I think I will just make it clear that he can come back as long as the bandage is secure and I can redress it if it does come loose again. Thanks again :) |
Did they say what it was ? it sounds like MRSA but I would assume the dr would have said that. but privacy maybe he couldn't but yes an oozing wound needs to be lightly covered and possibly seen by the dr if it is oozing
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Originally Posted by JoseyJo: |
Originally Posted by itlw8: I did message mom and dad but haven't heard back from them :( |
first you did great!
second, why is it the minute we need the parents to do something, they throw the "i'm going to to lose my job" card. drives me nuts. I would require the wound to be dressed during daycare hours, at home if mom wants to keep it open then she can on her own time. |
Originally Posted by countrymom: likethis |
Originally Posted by Stepping: Just keep in your mind that this child's wellbeing should be his parent's primary concern (yes, above their jobs and anything else). Act as if it is. Don't allow the parent's to force you to do something that is against the child's best interests (ie securely wrap a wound that should be left unwrapped, have a child in daycare that should be home, etc). If they want to go against his best interests that's on them and their Karma, don't let them put in on yours. (Just my 2 cents!) |
Originally Posted by Stepping: Originally Posted by Stepping: Originally Posted by Stepping: I am so tired of parents who try using that excuse. The child is the family's responsibility in this situation NOT yours. OP~ I hope things work out for you in this situation but honestly unless these parents start respecting your position in this situation and stop pushing this off on you, I don't see this situation working out well. |
Originally Posted by Stepping: If it's an open wound (especially if caused by an abscess) its susceptible to infection, which means a liability. I would at least require that it be bandaged (if possible) and that not only have a doctors note but a list of care instructions to avoid infection before considering letting him back in; I would continue with exclude if the care instructions affect his ability to participate in regular daycare activities (which is in most dc/school exclusion policies) or if it affects your ability to care for the other DCKs. |
Thank you every one so much for your support and advice. I'm so glad I found this forum!
I plan to call DcFS tomorrow to double check the open wound situation and will readmit him as long as his wound is either securely covered or no longer oozing and as long as the little guy seems well enough to participate. I find most parents just don't get the idea that a child has to be well enough to participate in group care! I've been open a year on Wednesday so I'm planning on rewriting my policies to include something about this. Does anyone have an example statement for how to word this? |
Originally Posted by Stepping: In all health and safety issues, regardless of a doctor's note, if I have reason to believe
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You were right for sending home.
I would not wrap, rewrap, or apply any meds of any kind to the wound. Just because the Dr. feels comfortable allowing him back to daycare, does not mean you feel comfortable with having him back. You control your daycare, not their Dr. |
Their child's injury is NOT your problem. Shame on her for making you feel guilty. This is THEIR child and it is their responsibility to take care of them when they are ill.
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