Clinic beds or cots in a school infirmary provide several benefits for students:

• Rest: Students who feel unwell or have a minor illness or injury can lie down to rest in a clinic bed. This is especially important for students with conditions like asthma, diabetes or epilepsy who need rest during an episode or attack.
• Recovery: Students can recover from injuries, illness or medical procedures in a clinic bed under the supervision of the school nurse before returning to class or going home. Lying flat helps with recovery from fainting, allergic reactions or other treatments.
• Observation: The school nurse can properly observe students with concerning symptoms or medical complaints in a clinic bed. The nurse monitors vital signs, pain levels, temperature and the progression of symptoms over time to determine appropriate treatment or if emergency care is needed.
• Privacy: Clinic beds or cots provide students with a private place away from other students where they can rest or be examined and treated. Curtains or dividers give added privacy and discretion.
• Emergency response: Having clinic beds allows the nurse to get students lying down in the event of a medical emergency like a seizure, severe injury or other crisis. This helps stabilize the student until emergency responders arrive.
• Accommodations for disabilities: For some students with medical conditions or disabilities, having access to a bed or cot throughout the day may be an important accommodation to allow them to rest as needed in a safe, supervised environment under the care of the school nurse.
• Parental reassurance: Knowing the infirmary has proper bedding and facilities for students who become ill or injured at school helps reassure parents that their child’s medical needs will be properly addressed in a private, well-equipped space until they can be picked up.

In summary, clinic beds serve many purposes in a school infirmary to aid in the health, wellbeing and safety of students. They provide supervised rest, recovery, and observation, as well as emergency response, treatment, and accommodations essential for quality student care. Schools should have at least 2-3 clinic beds to meet these needs.