School Health Services:

1. Chapter 2 School Health Services: Promoting and Protecting Student Health

2. School’s Role in Providing School Health Services • School Health Services provide the following for students and school personnel • Appraisal • Protection • Promotion • Services are offered by teachers and allied health professionals

3. School’s Role in Providing School Health Services, cont. • A system of referring students and families to agencies and health professionals with careful follow-up is the key component • Follow-up is necessary to make sure the intended services were rendered and properly recorded

4. Teacher’s Role withHealth Services • Observation of students’ behavior, appearance, or expressions • Detect students’ needs • Offer supporting role even in emergencies • Intervene when necessary

5. School Nurse’s Role withHealth Services • Advocate for staff and students, considered the “cornerstone” of health services • Roles also include: • Care provider • Change agent • Educator • Therapist • Manager

6. Maintain health records and histories Interpret results of appraisals Identify health concerns Provide information to school personnel Perform health screenings Help students seek appropriate help for personal issues Initiate referrals to parents, school personnel, etc. Provide emergency care for injuries/illnesses Administer medications Control communicable diseases through a variety of methods School Nurses Have the Following Responsibilities

7. Provide appropriate counseling to parents, students, etc. Participate as the health team specialist on the child education evaluation team to develop individual education plans Initiate health management procedures for children with special needs Assist in the formulation of health policies for the school/district Conduct evaluations of school health services to improve services Serve as a resource to students interested in pursuing a health career Provide health education School Nurses Have the Following Responsibilities, cont. The American Nursing Association recommends 1 school nurse for every 750 students

8. School Health Aides • School districts employ health aides to assist the school nurse • Provides a variety of tasks, administrative as well as basic first aid • Health aides need to be knowledgeable about many health topics and standards • The scope of practice of a school health aide is limited and is under the supervision of the school nurse

9. Confidentiality ofStudent Health Information • Family education rights and privacy act • Establishes confidentiality of all students’ information, records, and rights of parents to access this • Families do not have to disclose certain health conditions to school staff (i.e., HIV status) • School staff need to be trained in requirements of state law and school policies

10. Community Partnerships • Can increase capacity to offer more health services • The degree of services is dependent upon needs of the students • Full service schools involve the following: • Educational, social, and health services delivery • Improvement of the quality of life for individuals/families

11. School-Based Health Centers • Provide on-site comprehensive health care for young students who cannot receive adequate care • Easily accessible location on school premises • Becomes the sole source of health care for many young students • Such centers exist in only 2% of all U.S. schools Lack of access is cited as the major reason for proliferation of these centers

12. School-Based Health Centers, cont. • Health care services are costly; however, there are strong arguments in support of the school-based centers • School-based clinics have reduced visits to the ER • Cut health care costs for poor children • Lowered the number of STDs (Lawson, 2000) Lack of access is cited as the major reason for proliferation of these centers

13. Accommodations forSpecial Students • Rights of students with disabilities are protected (Section 504/Rehabilitation Act of 1973) • Schools must make provisions to accommodate the special needs of students • Written plans must state the child’s disability or impairment, needs, and how these accommodations will be met • Teachers may be responsible for administering these services (i.e., administering medications)

14. Administration of Medications at School • A written order must be from a family physician that identifies the following: • Dose • Type • Time of administration • Purpose • Side effects

15. Administration of Medications at School, cont. • Strict statements are required regarding who administers the medication • Record keeping is essential by the school nurse or designated person • An emergency plan should be developed for students who might require emergency measures • The most common medication dispensed are for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Field trips will require an action plan with regard to medication administration

16. Emergency Care in Schools • Schools must be prepared for students and staff becoming injured or ill on a daily basis • Emergency step procedures must be set up and in place • Every employee must know their role/scope when an emergency arises through proper training/emergency response plan

17. Emergency Care in Schools (cont’d) • Individual students need to be recognized who have specific health conditions that can lead into an emergency situation • An emergency first aid kit should be current and accessible • Understand limitations and scope of one’s abilities (i.e., DNR and information provided, first aid manual) • Parents/guardians will need to be notified when a child has been injured/become ill at school • Proper forms need to be documented to protect against liability

18. Chapter 2 School Health Services: Promoting and Protecting Student Health