School
Health Nurse
For the 2010-2011 school year, Barren River
District Health Department will have a total of 30 nurses in 35 satellite school
clinics. Services include:
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First aid
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Medication administration (prescription
and over-the-counter medications)
-
Chronic disease management
-
Health education
-
Disease prevention and risk reduction
-
Health screenings (including hearing,
vision, scoliosis, and dental screenings)
-
Immunizations
-
Well-child exams
-
Emergency management
*A student must have a signed
consent on file to be seen by the school nurse, except in an emergency (look
under forms for a copy of the consent).
The nurse also
becomes a confidant for many of the children attending the schools. She is an
observer of each child who comes into the clinic. Many children, especially
adolescents, may not feel comfortable talking about their concerns or fears with
the providers of health care. However, when they become comfortable around the
nurse in the same setting on a regular basis, the child may feel freer to
verbalize concerns they may have.
BRDHD in
cooperation with each school district is working to provide holistic care for
the children of each school district. The Health Department nurses placed in
the school health clinics have access to health educators, smoking cessation
programs, registered dietitians, communicable disease specialists, and complete
access to all services provided at the Health Department.
See below to learn
more about Barren River District Health Department’s school nurse program and
the services offered.
Medications
Many students have a chronic
disease that requires them to take medication regularly at school or will have
to take a short-term medication during school hours for an acute problem, such
as antibiotics for strep throat. The school nurse can give these medications and
watch for any side effects or other complaints. Medications must be brought to
the school nurse in the original container by an adult.
Prescription Medications
If your child has a
prescription medication that needs to be taken at school, please bring it to
school in the original bottle with a pharmacy label after the first dose has
already been given at home. A second bottle with a pharmacy label will be needed
to send medicine on a field trip. A parent or guardian should bring medication
to the school, and it should be given directly to the school nurse, so that both
the guardian and the nurse sign for it. The school nurse will also need a form
signed by the provider who ordered the medicine before it can be given at
school. Children with diabetes, asthma, seizures, severe allergies or any other
medical condition that might be life-threatening and who have emergency
medications from their doctors should have access to the emergency medication
both at home and school. Physicians and parents can decide together if the child
is ready to keep their emergency medication (such as an inhaler) or if it should
be stored in the nurse’s office. The school nurse cannot give any medicine that
is expired. At the end of the school year, you will be asked to pick-up extra
medicine – the school nurse will throw out any medicine left in the clinic at
the end of the school year.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
The following medications are
provided by the health department and can be given based on the assessment
performed by the school nurse:
-
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
-
Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin)
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Robitussin DM (cough syrup)
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Cough drops
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Antacid (Maalox or Mylanta, Tums)
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Anti-Nausea Medicine (Emetrol)
-
Aloe Vera (for burns)
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Orajel
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Claritin (Loratadine – for allergies)
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Sore Throat Spray
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Calamine Lotion
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Sun Screen
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Benadryl (antihistamine) *only given for
severe allergic reaction
-
Bacitracin (antibiotic) Ointment
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Hydrocortisone Cream (for skin irritation)
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Blistex/Carmex (for chapped lips)
*Only
students who have a signed consent on file giving permission for medications can
receive any medications from the school nurse.
Any OTC medication can only
be given three days in-a-row without the order of a health care provider. If a
parent wants their child have access to an over-the-counter medication that is
not provided in the nurse’s office, they can provide the medication in its
original container along with a note that gives permission for their child to
take the medication.
Chronic
Diseases and other Special Health Care Needs
Please tell the school and
school nurse if your child has any special health care needs. Students with a
history of asthma, diabetes, seizures, or a severe allergy should have an Action
Plan filled out and signed by their health care provider and the parent. Also,
if your child has an emergency medication (inhaler, glucagon, Diastat, or EpiPen),
please make sure that there is an extra at the school so that your child can use
it during the school day.
Immunizations
Please ensure that the school
has a copy of your child’s updated immunization record. If your child needs a
vaccine, the school nurse will send home a letter that tells what vaccine is
needed and asking permission to give it at school. You may choose to have your
child receive immunizations at school or with your regular provider.
Forms
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