Drake University’s emergency procedures determine how resident assistants assess and respond to student medical emergencies. The Drake University Emergency Procedures Manual includes procedures for medical emergencies. According to Randy McMullin, associate director of residence life, the resident assistant training manual is not a public-facing document. However, McMullin says that emergency procedures are written in that manual.
Jerry Parker, vice president and dean of students, says that RAs are trained to focus on initial indicators to assess student condition and appropriate next steps. As dean of students, he oversees the Office of Residence Life.
McMullin said it’s important that RAs contact Drake Public Safety based on their determinations because Public Safety is better suited to handle those situations.
“The RA is the first responder, if you will,” McMullin said. “But RA staff are not trained, and they’re not medical professionals.”
Parker also pointed to the Rave Guardian app as a way to be prepared for medical emergencies. The Rave Guardian app, a safety app that includes a panic button, tip texting and location monitoring, is partnered with the University, making it free for students to download. Students can voluntarily add health details, medical conditions and emergency contacts to their profile for emergency responders.
In certain situations, such as in the event of extreme intoxication or a seizure, Drake Public Safety may determine to call emergency medical services. According to Law, when students are transported to the hospital by ambulance, they are responsible for paying the cost of transport and medical services rendered.
“If it’s an emergency transport by ambulance … obviously your insurance is going to be charged for the transport,” Law said. “If you go to the hospital for any medical reasons, your insurance will be billed as appropriate.”
However, hospital costs might be difficult to manage for students with insufficient or nonexistent insurance coverage.
“If they don’t have that coverage, then they would have to rely on working with the hospital system in regards to setting up a payment plan or working on what type of forgiveness that hospital might allocate based on students’ insurance status,” Parker said.
However, the University has an arrangement with private taxi service Yellow Cab to provide non-emergency transportation to and from hospitals, urgent care centers and emergency rooms for students. The cost of transportation is paid by Student Affairs, making the service free to students. To access this service, students can call Public Safety at 515-271-2222.
“It’s [Yellow Cab] been an excellent service. Most students are very happy it’ll bring them back,” Law said.
McMullin said the Office of Residence Life isn’t in charge of updating the emergency procedures that RAs are trained on.
“We discuss it every year in our development. Any change in procedure regarding EMS would come from Scott Law or Jerry Parker and then come down to us,” McMullin said.
Parker encourages students to communicate with the University if they are facing medical or personal challenges or if they need support.
“We always ask that if a student is navigating something, that they at least let us know where they are, so that we can help,” Parker said.
