Illinois Schools Mandated to Implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans Under HB 5394

Illinois House Bill 5394

Preparing Schools for Cardiac Emergencies

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Starting with January 2025, all Illinois school districts are required to develop comprehensive Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) thanks to the passing of House Bill 5394. This new law aims to improve emergency preparedness in schools and ensure rapid, efficient responses to cardiac emergencies, ultimately saving lives.

Why This Law Matters

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) can happen without warning and affects people of all ages, including students and staff. Immediate response is critical—every minute without intervention decreases survival chances by 10%. House Bill 5394 mandates that schools create detailed response plans that cover:

• Accessibility of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators): Ensuring AEDs are strategically placed and maintained.

• Staff Training: Regular training for staff members on CPR and AED use.

• Emergency Response Protocols: Clear steps for identifying cardiac emergencies, notifying first responders, and guiding emergency personnel.

By implementing these measures, schools can create a safer environment and be better equipped to handle life-threatening cardiac events.

What This Means for School Nurses

As frontline healthcare professionals in schools, nurses play a crucial role in developing and executing these response plans. From leading staff training to coordinating emergency procedures, school nurses are vital in ensuring that CERPs are thorough and effective. Staying informed and prepared is essential for meeting these new requirements.

Take Action: Get Prepared with Our CE Course

Understanding and developing a comprehensive Cardiac Emergency Response Plan can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. This 1-Hour CE Course on Cardiac Emergency Response Planning provides in-depth information and practical tools to help you navigate this new mandate with confidence.

Course Highlights:

• Step-by-step guidance on creating a compliant CERP.

• Access to an entire Google Drive folder full of example plans, templates, and resources.

• Flexible learning that fits your busy schedule—complete it anytime, anywhere.

Don't wait until the last minute—equip yourself with the knowledge and resources you need to meet House Bill 5394 requirements.

[Enroll Now] and take the first step toward creating a safer school community!

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Health Emergencies and The School Nurse

School Nurses & Health Emergencies at School

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Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip: Health emergencies in the school setting will happen. Run through scenarios in your mind and come up with your potential responses ahead of time.

Preparing for Medical Emergencies in the School Setting

Emergencies in the school setting are stressful, fast-paced, and often unpredictable- but being mentally and physically prepared can make all the difference. As a school nurse, your calm and confidence will help everyone around you stay focused. That’s why it's worth taking a little time now to prepare for what you hope won’t happen.

Here’s how I get ready each year to handle medical emergencies with confidence and clarity:

Check Expiration Dates & Restock Emergency Medications

Start by reviewing the expiration dates on all emergency medications stored at your school, including:

• Epinephrine auto-injectors

• Albuterol inhalers

• Glucagon

• Diastat

• Any other critical treatments required for individual student needs

If anything is expired or nearing expiration, reorder ASAP. Don’t forget to check with families about refills for student-specific medications. I also set a calendar reminder for mid-year to catch any items that may expire before spring break.

Evaluate Your Emergency Bag

Once your medications are in order, take a closer look at your emergency kit. Whether you use a backpack, rolling cart, or wall-mounted bag—what matters most is that it's functional and fast.

Ask yourself:

• Is it easy to carry in an urgent situation?

• Can you quickly access critical supplies without digging through clutter?

• Is everything clearly labeled and organized?

If your bag isn’t working well for you, now’s the time to upgrade or reorganize. Some nurses love tactical-style backpacks; others use tackle boxes or clear pouches to group supplies by use.

Need ideas? I've shared my emergency bag setups over the years:

• Original Post (9/18/2012) – My starting point

• Update (2/8/2020) – Mid-career adjustments

• Most Recent Update (1/18/2021) – What I’m using now

Check out these blog posts to get an overview of my school nurse emergency bags

Original Post from 9/18/2012

Post from 2/8/2020

Most Recent Update 1/18/2021

Replenish Expired & Missing Items

It’s not just medications you need to check. Review your stock of emergency supplies, and replace anything that's low, missing, or expired:

• CPR face shields

• Nitrile gloves

• Bandages, gauze, and tape

• Glucose gel or juice boxes

• Stop The Bleed Tourniquets

• Ice packs

• Emergency contact lists

If anything is running low or missing, restock it now so you aren’t scrambling when an emergency happens. Check out my list on Amazon!

Assess & Improve Your Response Plan

Having the right supplies is only half the equation—your emergency response procedures matter just as much. Take some time to reflect on past medical situations you’ve handled at school. What went well? What could be improved? Don’t be afraid to adjust your approach based on experience.

• Do you have an effective communication system in place to alert staff during a medical emergency?

• Are key personnel trained on their roles and responsibilities?

• Have you practiced emergency drills to ensure smooth execution?

• Are your response protocols up to date with current best practices?

Making small but meaningful adjustments can improve response times and outcomes.

Practice Scenarios Ahead of Time

Even a quick mental walkthrough of different emergencies—like anaphylaxis in the cafeteria, a seizure during PE, or a student collapsing at recess—can help you feel more prepared when it really happens.

I often ask myself:

What would I do first? Who do I need to call? What supplies would I need on hand?

You can even keep a printed cheat sheet of roles, room numbers, and emergency steps tucked in your emergency bag or on a clipboard for easy reference- perfect for sub nurses who might be covering your school too!

Check out other DOASN blog posts here to get an

overview of my school nurse emergency bags

 Check out these other popular DOASN blog posts & product links.