Nurse

Emergency Form

HEALTH POLICIES

A nurse is is attendance at each school for the majority of the school day. If you have any questions concerning the following, please call Carol Eaton, R.N. at 781-275-3165.

Massachusetts's law requires that all children have a physical examination and be fully immunized against childhood diseases before entering Bedford's school system. A physical is required upon entering grade 6 and transferring into the school system. It is desirable that your family physician performs the physical exam because he or she has a comprehensive knowledge of the health status of your child. The "physician's examination form (found on the middle school's web site) or a similar doctor's form must be submitted to the nurse prior to school entrance. The physical form is very important and is included in your child's School Health Record. The immunization information included on the physical exam report is used to assure that your child is up-to-date and in compliance with Department of Public Health regulations.

ILLNESS

It is important for parents/guardians to fill out the Emergency Sheet for the nurse, which is sent home the first day of school. Completion of the form is critical in delivering appropriate and efficient care to your child.

A child will be sent home with a temperature of 101F or above.

When your child has a fever of 101F or above, please keep the child home for 24 hours. If your child is diagnosed with strep throat, please keep your child home until the child has had 24 hours of antibiotics.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Communicable diseases that should be reported to the health officeare:

• Fifth's disease
• German Measles
• Hepatitis
• Impetigo
• Infectious Mononucleosis
• Measles
• Meningitis
• Mumps
• Pertussis ( Whooping Cough )
• Ring Worm
• Scabies
• Streptococcal infection

MEDICATION POLICY

1. Administration of medication during school hours must be deemed to be necessary by the school nurse.
2. All medications should be brought to the Health Office and will be administered by the school nurse.
3. A signed and dated request form from the parent/guardian authorizes the school nurse to give medications.
4. For short term prescription medications, i.e. those requiring administration for 10 school days or fewer, the pharmacy labeled container may be used in lieu of a licensed prescriber's order. If the nurse has a question she may request a licensed prescriber's order.
5. Medication provided to the school must be in a pharmaceutical container specifying the patient's name in full, the name of the medication, the dosage and frequency, the physician's name and the name of the dispensing pharmacy.
6. For long term prescription medications a signed order from the physician is required. The form must clearly state the student's name, the name of the medication, dosage, time and route of administration, and the name, signature, and phone number of licensed prescriber.
7. All medications shall be kept secured and locked.
8. Acetaminophen may be given if it is determined that there is no known allergy. Parent/guardian permission must be on file in the health office.
9. The use of emergency medication i.e. epipen shall be according to the School Physician.
10. Medication orders must be renewed annually. No more than a 30 day supply of medication should be kept at school. A parent/guardian may retrieve the medication from school at any time. Medication will be destroyed within one week beyond the close of school.

SCREENINGS

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires all public school systems in the Commonwealth to provide postural screening to all students in grades 5-9. These grades cover the years in which adolescents experience most rapid growth, and in which signs of curvature most often appear. If minor postural concerns are found, the student will be re-checked by the nurse practitioner every six months or as needed to detect changes. You will be notified to contact your physician if further evaluation is necessary.

Vision and Hearing Screening is conducted annually in grades K- 5.

Vision and hearing screenings are mandated by the state of Massachusetts to be done in one grade in middle school and one grade in high school. At JGMS, vision and hearing will done in the 7th grade beginning in the fall of 2012. At the high school, vision and hearing is done in the 10th grade. Parents will be notified of any deviations from normal that should be checked by a physician.

Massachusetts schools have taken heights and weights of students each year since the 1950's. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has made amendments to improve the annual height and weight screening protocols to include the calculation of a Body Mass Index (BMI) and percentile for grades 1,4,7, and 10, beginning in the fall of 2010.

Each child's height and weight will be used to calculate their BMI. The results will be kept confidential in each student's school health record and will be mailed directly or directly communicated in writing to the parents or guardians; not sent home with the student.

BMI is a "weight for height for age" index that can be a useful tool in early identification of possible health risk factors among children and youth. Please feel free to contact your school nurse with any questions you may have about the BMI screening. Additional information about children's wellness and fitness is available upon request or you may access the state's resources at www.mass.gov/massinmotion/.

SPORTS PHYSICALS

Every student who participates in interscholastic sports, including try-outs, is required by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) to have a physical exam. The physical is valid for 13 months. Students who meet this criteria at the start of the season will remain eligible for that season. The best time to have the exam is between June 15 th and August 15 th to be valid for the entire school year. We strongly encourage you to have your family physician perform the sports physical. Forms 1 and 2, ( permission and health history forms ) are given out during sign ups and are to be filled out by the parent and returned to the school. These forms are available from the athletic director, the school nurse, and are also on the school web site.