Healthy sleep is vital for a students’ well-being.

Student Health Care

  A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the maternal child and health bureau has revealed that most American high school students and 34% of children don’t get enough sleep. According to research, the new norms after the pandemic have created changes in children’s daily habits, including their sleep and wake schedules. The reasons also include the increasing screen time and the lack of physical activities. As most students are back in school, students need to adjust to their new daily routines and get adequate sleep and rest. In this article, you will find how important it is for students to have a good sleep, and the role school nurses play in identifying children with sleeping problems and educating them about Sleep health in Students. Why is sleep important?   Sleep is an indispensable part of a child’s healthy lifestyle. Many studies have proven that a child who sleeps well has improved concentration, learning, consciousness, behavior, and overall physical and mental development.   Good sleep can also benefit children and help improve their resilience, learning, memory, and vocabulary skills.    Sleep is good for toddlers and helps their motor skill development, attention, and memory skills.   There is a recommended amount of sleep that children need based on their age category.   As per the American Academy of Pediatrics   Infants below 1 year must have 12-16 hours of sleep   Children below 2 years need 11-14 hours of sleep   Children from 3 to 5 years need 10 to 13 hours of sleep   Children from 3-5 years old need 10-13 hours of sleep   Children from 6-12 years old need 9-12 hours of sleep  and Teenagers from 13-18 years old need 8-10 hours of sleep   [/vc_column_text] What are the reasons that cause sleep deprivation in students?   Many physiological reasons affect the sleeping habits of children. The proper understanding of sleep deprivation factors is crucial for curing sleep disorders.   Loss of sleep in children has been linked to the many physical and behavioral disorders in the student, like apnea, mood disorders, anxiety, and stress.   Lack of sleep can cause inattentiveness, poor academic performance, and signs of irritability in children.   Two distinct factors that lead to sleep deprivation in children are   Physical factors:   Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is linked to sleep disorder issues in children. The symptoms include breathing through the mouth, snoring, and sleep apnea.   Poorly controlled asthma, high body mass index, and restless leg syndrome may also lead to SDB in children.   OSA or obstructive sleep apnea is also a factor found in children who have sleeping issues. It can lead to partial or complete obstruction in breathing and enlarged tonsils.   Behavioral and psychiatric factors:    Various emotional factors like stress, anxiety and mood disorders cause sleep disturbances in children.   Autistic children and children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity) issues may have sleep loss.   Children suffering from PTSD or trauma can experience problems like sleep enuresis, nightmares, night terrors, and sleepwalking.   Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) may affect the children and cause nightmares, night terrors, and sleep deprivation.   Sleep deprivation impacts on student health  Children who are deprived of good sleep can easily become grumpy and hyperactive, a behavior that mimics ADHD.   Sleepiness will also affect the child’s attentiveness and performance at school. A child’s daily life will have massive impacts from lack of sleep.   Reduced sleeping hours can result in:    Accidents and injuries    Performance-related problems    Memory concentration and learning problems    Behavior problems    Mood problems    Reactions being slower    Overeating    Poor sleeping patterns in children that are young have been linked to allergic rhinitis, immune system issues, anxiety, and depression.     Inadequate sleep during childhood may also carry future risks in the form of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.     In adolescents, inadequate sleep can have long-term effects on academic performance and mental health.      What is student sleep health week all about?   It is a resolution introduced in the US house of representatives, designating the days from September 12th to 18th as student sleep health week. The initiative is supported by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and they conduct SSHW (student sleep health week) in American schools and for creating awareness in American students about the importance of healthy sleep in children and how it helps in their academic performance.   Tips to ensure students get good sleep      The best way for students to get good sleep is ensuring they follow a consistent bedtime routine. A consistent bedtime routine helps children get enough sleep.   School nurses can help educate children and parents on the importance of good sleep times and practices.      A good bedtime routine includes:    Turning off computers, TVs, video games, mobile phones    Switching off bright lights, creating a bedroom that’s dimly lit    Create a cool and quiet sleepful environment.   Reading a light book, singing a lullaby, or taking a bath    Reduce the screen time of kids, stop watching screens by four hours before going to bed.   Picking a stuffed animal or security blanket for the night for toddlers    Parents must identify sleepiness or tiredness in children. The best time they should be putting the child to sleep is when they’re sleepy, and not when they are already asleep.   Avoid actions like negotiating bedtime, using it as a punishment, allowing kids to consume sugary or caffeinated foods late in the day.      School nurse’s role in improving sleeping habits of students   School nurses understand how good sleep practices result in academic success.    The school nurse sleep assessment includes repeated interactions with the students and parents and identifying the children with sleeping disorders and trying to improve the child’s daily routines and sleeping habits.  Regular health screenings can help them diagnose issues and disruptive behavior in them. Signs like falling asleep in class, obesity, poor academic performance will also be recorded in the health screenings.   School nurses can utilize Eduhealth systematically and comprehensively to note and observe sleep deprivation behavior in children. The recorded information and the reports will help nurses identify the causes of sleep problems in students and educate the parents by giving them sleep tips for student health development.   School nurses like you who have profound knowledge of development, health promotion, and evidence-based intervention, are experts in working with families and children.   This is why you are uniquely positioned to explore various factors that hamper sleep in children as well as test how your interventions bring about positive changes in children’s behavior.    School nurses have a role to play in restoring good sleeping practices in the American youth and EduHealth is a tool they can rely on to…

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How Electronic Health Records Help Reduce Teacher Absences

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  More than 900,000 K-12 teachers per school year were absent from their classrooms in 2019.   This is 28% of teachers nation-wide who are chronically absent.   This number is thought to be even higher with the rise in number of teachers resigning from their jobs owing to COVID 19.   10 absent days every school year is the tipping point beyond which teacher absences go from an acceptable level to the problematic chronic level. And on average, teachers are now absent for about 11.8 days.   The National Bureau of Economic Research has said that 10 days of teacher’s absence can cause significant decrease in student outcomes.   And the negative effect goes beyond students, to their colleagues and the school community.   Without consistency during classes and high-quality instruction, students are more likely to see low achievement levels, increasing their chances of not graduating. Moreover, when teachers are chronically absent, they compel colleagues to work harder and pick up the slack.     What are the main reasons for teachers’ absence?  Factors that influence teachers’ decision to stay absent include timing, sick days, maternity leaves, personal days, professional development, colleagues’ attendance norms and care for children/elderly parents.  Certain others attribute the problem to an unsupportive or lax school climate. When teachers don’t feel motivated to go to school, they decide to not show up.   Stress and illnesses that come from interacting with young children who are susceptible to illnesses – occupational hazards too are counted in.     COVID 19-related absences  And this year, owing to COVID 19, many teachers have opted out of returning to schools. Several states have seen surges in educators filing for retirement or taking leaves of absence.   Some teachers worry schools were not fully committed to ensuring social distancing and worried that the school did not have enough safety equipment for students and teachers.   Certain others have said that technology requirements and the pressure to record classes on video were one of the reasons for their absence.     Electronic health records can reduce teacher absences  Schools can turn to technology solutions like electronic health records to overcome these challenges to a great extent.   Electronic health records (EHR) in schools can help to monitor staff health and absenteeism. They can manage healthcare-related data and help to improve how care is given. EHRs also play a vital role in keeping children healthy and in schools. And it’s a given that when children in schools are healthy, teachers too remain healthy.   Another benefit is electronic health records can help school nurses analyze absence patterns that could hint towards possibilities of stress or other challenges that teachers face in school. Once the underlying reasons for absences are identified, school administrations can take the necessary steps to see what can be done to ensure teachers are in safer and happier environments in the school.  Times like now, where teachers have to deal with the trauma of COVID 19, pose more challenges than usual. In these situations, teachers have to help themselves and their students, while adjusting to the new learning models. Here, an electronic health record software system with a COVID 19 tracker like EduHealth, can improve their confidence by ensuring safer schools and adherence to safety best practices. Once teachers are confident to come back to schools, the learning process can get back to normal, helping children improve their academic achievement levels.   —  High teacher absenteeism has consequences for students. And chronically absent teachers can cause their classes to stagnate and compel colleagues to step in as substitutes. Electronic health record software like EduHealth can be an important investment in turning this around. EHRs keep our children and schools safe. And when schools are safe, teachers are safe and present.   You can see how EduHealth can keep your school safe and keep your teachers present by signing up for a free demo today. 

How Can a School Nurses Help in Managing Asthma in Students?

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  Managing asthma in students: how school nurses can make a difference   How can we ensure that students with asthma are able to thrive in school, despite the challenges that come with managing their condition? Managing asthma in schools can be complex, especially when you have to consider a range of factors from identifying triggers and monitoring symptoms to administering medications and communicating effectively with parents. For school nurses, ensuring that students with asthma are safe is critically relevant. Asthma affects an estimated 1 in 13 school-aged children, it is a condition one is likely to encounter frequently. School nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and academic success of students with asthma. In this blog, we will explore some of the key strategies that school nurses utilize to help students with asthma, manage their condition and stay healthy and happy in the classroom. Right from creating individualized asthma action plans to promoting asthma-friendly environments, we try to explore the practical tips and best practices that can make a real difference in the lives of students with asthma. What is asthma and what are its symptoms? Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects the airways, causing inflammation and narrowing, which leads to recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Common symptoms of asthma include: Wheezing (a whistling sound during breathing) Coughing, especially at night or during physical activity Chest tightness or pain Shortness of breath Fatigue or reduced stamina Understanding these symptoms is essential for identifying and managing asthma in students effectively.   What are the triggers for asthma attacks? Asthma attacks can be triggered by various factors that includes: Allergens: Pollen, dust mites, mold, pet or insect allergens. Respiratory Infections: Colds, flu, or sinus infections. Irritants: Tobacco smoke, air pollution, strong odors, or chemical fumes. Physical Activity: Intense exercise or prolonged physical exertion. Weather Conditions: Cold air, humidity, or change in temperature. Emotional Factors: Stress, anxiety, or excessive laughter. Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, or beta-blockers. Identifying and avoiding these triggers is crucial for preventing asthma attacks in students. The role of school nurses in managing asthma School nurses have a challenging role in managing asthma among students. Some of their key responsibilities include: Asthma Assessment: Conducting initial assessments to identify if a student has asthma and assess their symptoms, triggers, and overall control of the condition. Individualized Care Plans: Developing and implementing personalized asthma care plans for students. The asthma care plan needs to be collaborated and communicated well with the healthcare providers, to ensure appropriate management and emergency response. Medication Management: Administering and monitoring the use of asthma medications, such as inhalers or nebulizers, as prescribed by healthcare providers. Emergency Response: Being trained to recognize and respond to asthma emergencies promptly that includes administering emergency medications and seeking further medical assistance, if needed. Collaboration and Communication: Collaborating and communicating with students, parents, teachers, and healthcare providers to create a supportive and asthma-friendly school environment. Data Collection and Monitoring: Collecting and maintaining accurate student records with asthma, tracking their symptoms, medication use, and overall control to identify trends. This helps to provide appropriate interventions. Referrals and Follow-ups: Making referrals to healthcare providers or specialists for comprehensive asthma care and ensuring regular follow-up appointments. Staff Education and Training: Conducting training sessions for school staff members on asthma awareness, emergency response, and the implementation of asthma management strategies.   Using school EHR system to manage asthma in students By leveraging technology, school nurses are better equipped to provide personalized care, monitor asthma control, and communicate effectively with parents and healthcare providers. This helps to create an asthma-friendly environment that supports the well-being and academic success of students with asthma. The Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is one of the the reliable ways that can help school nurses to manage asthma in schools. These digital tools offer great benefits and opportunities to streamline asthma management, enhance communication, and facilitate collaboration among school staff, healthcare providers, and parents. The EHR system provides school nurses with a centralized platform to record and access comprehensive health information of students that includes their asthma history, medication records, and individualized asthma action plans. This digital database allows quick and easy retrieval of essential data, enabling school nurses to make informed decisions and provide timely interventions in managing asthma. One of the best advantages of using an EHR system in asthma management is the ability to track and monitor students’ asthma-related data over time. School nurses can input and analyze information such as peak flow measurements, symptom patterns, and medication usage trends. This data-driven approach empowers school nurses to identify any potential triggers, recognize patterns of asthma control, and intervene proactively to prevent future asthma attacks. EHR systems also facilitate efficient communication and collaboration among key stakeholders (parents, healthcare providers, and emergency responders) involved in a student’s asthma care. School nurses can securely share relevant health information with healthcare providers, ensuring seamless coordination. This digital platform also enables effective communication with parents, providing regular updates on their child’s asthma management, medication schedules, and any changes in their condition. By implementing an EHR system in schools the school nurses can improve their work productivity and streamline process much faster and more efficiently. The benefits of school nurses’ interventions in asthma management Research has shown that school-based asthma interventions led by school nurses can improve student health. School nurses’ interventions may include identifying and addressing triggers, monitoring and providing medication administration, promoting proper use of inhalers and spacers, and educating students, staff, and parents about asthma management. The involvement of school nurses in managing asthma has numerous benefits for students, schools, and the overall education system. Some of the Benefits of School Nurses’ interventions are – Improved Health Outcomes: School nurses contribute to better asthma control, reduced symptoms, and fewer asthma-related emergencies among students. This leads to improved overall health, fewer school absences, and enhanced academic performance. Empowerment and Education: School nurses educate students, staff, and parents about asthma,…

How are schools across the globe re-opening amid COVID 19

covid-19 resources

  While big-city school districts and schools in communities living in high poverty and less likely to re-open for in-person classes, the academic year begins for 50 million children in the US. The Center for Reinventing Public Education has analyzed reopening plans for almost 500 school districts across the country, including many of the biggest ones.    Across the US, one in four school districts plans to reopen entirely remotely. An analysis of school district plans has it that about 80% of urban schools will be remote only, compared with 34% of suburban districts and 13% of rural districts.    As for other countries and their school reopening plans, some of them have been cautious about reopening and those who have gone ahead, have seen mixed results. Most others don’t plan to resume in-person classes until 2021. However, it is a lack of access to technology and the widening achievement gap seems to be having school leaders in a dilemma: reopen schools and risk virus outbreaks or continue with virtual classes and leave a set of students behind.      Challenges to reopening schools   Most schools are yet to put in plans on how to deal with an outbreak in their schools. If the schools face an outbreak, it puts children, teachers, their communities at risk, which could even cause deaths.     How have countries responded   Isreal opened its schools in May and had not imposed social distancing guidelines, which resulted in full-size classrooms with close to forty children in them. Reports have it that over two thousand people have tested positive throughout the country’s education system since with the death of one teacher. Following these incidents, most parents now refuse to send their children to school over concerns about everyone’s safety. Israeli schools with reported cases now close for two weeks and all staff and students are required to quarantine for the period.    The Germans have taken a different approach. They’ve kept classes running, forcing those with close contacts with infected people to quarantine.    The Swedish never closed their schools and have been on with a risky gamble skipping the COVID 19 lockdown. Only students 16 years and older stayed home and continued learning remotely. With a focus on personal choice, social distancing and masks were recommended, but optional.    Japan, which has mostly been successful at keeping COVID 19 at bay, has taken a conservative approach. Japanese students attend classes in person on alternative days, so classrooms are only half full. Lunch breaks are silent, socially distant and students undergo everyday temperature checks.    Uruguay’s well-organized and efficient public health system and their strong faith in the government has led to successfully stopping COVID 19. The country has the lowest rates of COVID 19 cases and deaths and has not shut down its economy entirely. Uruguay was one of the Western Hemisphere’s first countries to send its students back to school in stages.   Only six African countries have fully reopened schools. In Sout Africa, students are returning to school in a phased manner by class. It’s the second time schools are reopening after the initial reopening resulted in a spike in the number of cases, forcing schools to close.    Eleven million of UK’s students have not been to class since March, but children will start returning to schools in September. The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged parents to send their kids to schools and has called reopening schools his “moral duty”.    As for most of South and Southeast Asia, most schools remain shut. Most Indian schools have moved to remote learning. In Sri Lanka, the government has allowed schools to partially open for August.  

Detection and control of COVID 19 spread in schools using technology

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  The schooling community comprising of students, teachers, staff, parents, and administration is looking at how they can slow the spread of COVID 19 within the schooling environment. Schools are determining how they can collaborate with state and local health officials to implement CDCs considerations to maintain healthy learning environments.   To help students and communities to overcome the crisis, technology enterprises are developing solutions to step up the detection and control of COVID 19.     What is COVID 19?  COVID 19 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2). The disease was first identified in Wuhan, China, and continues to spread around the world, as an ongoing pandemic.     What are the symptoms of COVID 19?   People who’ve come down with COVID 19 have shown a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild to severe symptoms. The symptoms typically appear after 2-14 days post-exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms are highly likely to have COVID 19:   Fever or chills  Cough  Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing  Fatigue  Muscle or body aches  Headache  Loss of taste or smell  Sore throat  Congestion or runny nose  While this list does not include all possible symptoms, these are the most common ones. CDC keeps updating its list as they learn more about COVID 19.   When to seek emergency medical attention?  You need to look for emergency warning signs of COVID 19. Seek emergency care if you have:  Trouble breathing  Persistent pain or pressure in the chest  New confusion  Inability to wake or stay awake  Bluish lips or face  How does COVID 19 spread?  Learnings about how the coronavirus spreads and its severity are still underway. From what’s known, it is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person. In some cases, people without any symptoms too can spread the virus.   The virus spreads from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with each other.   It spreads through the respiratory droplets of an infected person when they cough, sneeze, or talk. When these droplets land in the mouths or noses of people, they’re inhaled into the lungs infecting the person.   Another possibility in how the virus spreads is when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes. This, however, is not thought of as the main way in which the virus spreads.     How to slow down or prevent the spread?  Public health measures like everyday preventive actions are integral to slow down and prevent the spread. They include:  Staying home when sick  Following social distancing of maintaining a 2-meter distance between people when out  Covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing/using masks  Washing hands with soap and water/using sanitizers to clean hands  Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects    How to help reduce the spread of coronavirus in schools  It is important to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID 19 in schools. And at the same time, schools must ensure that students and staff who’ve been exposed to the virus are not stigmatized.   The COVID 19 crisis is an opportunity to help children learn, cultivate compassion, and increase resilience while building a safer and more caring community. Sharing the right information about COVID 19 in an age-appropriate manner with children can help alleviate their fears, enabling them to cope with the impact it has on their lives.     What school administrators, teachers, and staff can do  Disallow sick students, teachers and other staff from coming to school  Enforce regular handwashing with soap and water, rub hands with hand sanitizers, or chlorine solutions. Daily disinfection of school surfaces  Provide water, sanitation and waste management facilities  Promote social distancing   Keep updated with latest COVID 19 facts and share only the right information within networks  Ensure safe school operations like developing school emergency and contingency plans, reinforcing frequent handwashing and sanitation, cleaning and disinfecting school buildings  Establish processes to address situations where students or staff become unwell and ensure they’re shared with students and parents so they’re not caught off-guard when a situation arises.  Follow guidelines from the national health and educational authorities.  Change school policies where appropriate   Track school attendance with absenteeism monitoring systems  Plan for continued access to uninterrupted learning.  Integrate disease prevention and control in daily lives and lessons. Put in place targeted health education.   Allow children to discuss their questions and concerns. Address their need for mental and psychological support and explain that it is normal to experience different reactions.  Ensure continuity of critical services for children with special needs, children with disabilities, children in marginalized     What parents, caregivers and community members can do:   Understand the basic information about COVID 19. Stay informed about COVID 19 updates through sources like the CDC and WHO. Be aware of fake information that may get circulated.   Identify the symptoms of COVID 19 that can affect your child. If the child is sick, keep them home from school.   Keep healthy children in school unless there’s a public health advisory or relevant warning against it.  Encourage a healthy hygiene routine. Identify signs of stress in your child. Common signs are difficulty in sleeping, bedwetting, stomach pains, anxiety, withdrawal, anger, clinginess, or fear of being alone. Listen to their questions, respond to them in a supportive manner, comfort them, and keep them reassured.    What students can do:  Children must understand basic age-appropriate information about COVID 19, including symptoms, complications, how it spreads, and how to prevent transmission. They must consume information from reputed sources like CDC, WHO, and national health advisories.     Disease surveillance systems and COVID 19 checking  Disease surveillance systems help collect, analyze, interpret data, and disseminate data to those responsible for preventing and controlling diseases. Disease surveillance systems in schools estimate the health status and behaviors of students. Because surveillance helps to directly understand what’s going on within a population, it helps in tracking and measuring the need for intervention.   EduHealth is a school health…

Being a school nurse: Challenges and How to Resolve Them

School nursing

  School nurses play a multifaceted role in supporting students and communities with their health needs and this is just one of their many responsibilities. They serve in a pivotal role that bridges healthcare and education. Most key responsibilities of school nurses have risen as a response to the local need. School nurses are part of several school health activities like combatting chronic absenteeism, physical and mental health care, health promotion, educating staff, attending child protection conferences, administering vaccinations, and addressing bullying issues.    Health promotion (96%)   Educating school staff (94%)   Attending child protection conferences (82%)   Administering vaccinations (73%)   Addressing bullying issues (65%)    Besides providing emergency care, school nurses also   Act as case managers for students’ continuing health care needs at school   Coordinate height, weight, vision, hearing, and dental screenings   Administer medications   Perform procedures and assessments   Communicate with health care providers, therapists, parents, and school staff   Provide health education to students, school personnel, and families   Provide a career shadowing experience for nursing students      Challenges of school nurses   When a school nurse is present to meet student healthcare needs, parents and school administrators know that children and youth can focus on learning. Despite being a motivated and dedicated workforce, school nurses face multiple challenges in a school setting.    NASN data shows only 39% of public schools have a school nurse all day, 35% have a school nurse who works part-time, leaving 25% of schools without a full-time school nurse. The most frequently reported school-based challenges school nurses face are having limited resources and a high caseload. They also faced barriers like communication challenges, multiple documentation requirements, conflicting needs and points of view, and working in isolation.     Limited resources and a high caseload: School nurses are heavily dependent on the school’s budget and resources when it comes to providing healthcare. The department is a small fraction of the school’s budgetary concerns. When working in a limited budget and high caseloads, school nurses may have to adjust their approach to healthcare.    Communication challenges: School nurses sometimes face challenges in communicating effectively with school administration, parents, doctors, pharmacies, health care bodies regarding student health because they have too many priorities and limited resources that enable them to meet these expectations.   Multiple documentation requirements: School nurses have the responsibility of updating student health records and maintaining them. This isn’t an easy task and can be time-consuming to the extent that it keeps them from doing what they were meant to do – taking care of students and communities.    Conflicting needs and points of view: Providing healthcare is not the primary objective in an academic environment. School nurses must contend with competing interests and points of view when caring for students in a school setting. In certain instances, while nurses would recommend that a child’s healthcare be prioritized, school administrators may want to keep a student in school instead of addressing their healthcare needs.   Working in isolation: School nurses will work in relative isolation as compared to the traditional healthcare environment. They’ll no longer be able to depend on the advice and support or colleagues. In some cases, school nurses are the only healthcare professional on the campus, which can create feelings of loneliness and seclusion.    Overcoming the challenges   While the disciple of school nursing has come a long way, there is much there is to be done for their betterment. The NASN recently submitted a petition for funding 10,000 school nurses to join for the upcoming school year. The school nurse is more important than ever and expanding their presence in the school setting is essential. They help students grow and thrive. And a professional school nurse is needed for every school because school nursing is the foundation of students’ physical and mental health.    To support them in their activities, they need infrastructure that enables them to do their best work. School nurses must be an integral part of school healthcare policy creation and amendments because they are actively involved in student healthcare and would be able to provide expert suggestions for improving the health of the student community. School nurses need to work in collaboration with school administration and faculty to ensure student health is given due priority. They also need to educate the teaching community about the dangers of overlooking unusual student behavior and student health concerns, and why it needs to be addressed for the student’s overall health.    School nurses also need to be familiarized with digital health records systems to simplify student health documentation requirements. They need to be relieved of the paperwork and enabled with digital systems that simplify medicine administration, immunization tracking, and more. EduHealth is a comprehensive educational healthcare solution for school nurses to collect, track, and manage student health information. Designed by school nurses, it has features connecting the entire schooling community of students, parents, administrators, school nurses, and more. Nurses can access student health history and immunization and health-related documents in a single button click, making their jobs and lives infinitely easier.    EduHealth also enables easy communication with the healthcare community during student health emergencies. The portal allows them to connect with doctors and pharmacies. This simple solution allows them to overcome several challenges related to student health-related documentations, communication with schooling and healthcare community, medicine administration, medical history record maintenance. And enables them to spend more time doing their jobs and caring for students.   Schools nurses contribution to the well being of students must not be overlooked School nurses play an important role in the health and wellbeing of children, with a broad range of duties, from health promotion to support individual pupils with specific conditions. The work of school nurses is essential in supporting children to have a full, active and healthy school life. With such an important role to play, it is vital that more school nurses are recruited and given the given the necessary power and infrastructure to ensure they have the capacity to making the positive contribution to children’s health. EduHealth is a tool that enables them to achieve this. 

School nurse with mask

COVID 19: How FERPA and HIPAA apply to student records

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  School administrators have to face multiple questions around privacy as COVID 19 continues to spread globally. Administrators must form a strategy on how to inform communities about infections that are spreading among students and their close circles, how to respond to such cases, and most importantly, how to manage keeping students’ privacy safe in such cases. The School Superintendents association has put together a detailed report drawing from the USED guidance on how FERPA applies to schools in the context of COVID 19.   Student health is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and not the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). If there is a need to disclose personal information, authorities will typically have to take consent to protect the health of others in an emergency.    FERPA and HIPAA  ( How they usually apply ) FERPA protects personally identifiable information (PII) in students’ health records maintained by an educational agency or institution. Schools can disclose FERPA-protected information only if they have consent from a parent unless an exception to FERPA’s general consent rule applies. In the case of COVID 19, the most applicable exception to consent is FERPA’s health or safety emergency exception.  HIPAA applies when a school’s health services are funded, administered and operated by or on behalf of public or private health, social services, or other non-educational agencies or individuals. HIPAA prohibits the disclosure of protected health information (PHI) without consent and requires entities subject to the law to establish appropriate privacy policies to protect PHI from unauthorized disclosure. HIPAA, however, has an emergency provision allowing disclosure of PHI in certain cases.   How they apply to student records during COVID 19 pandemic  Here’s how schools can share information about students while protecting their privacy during a public health emergency.  If a student has COVID 19, what information from educational records can the school share with the community?  Occasions where FERPA does not apply  Schools can disclose that a student may have COVID 19 as long as the school does not directly or indirectly identify that student.   Administrators must ensure messages to the community don’t identify the student directly or indirectly.    E.g., “A student on the soccer team or a student who recently attended a soccer game tested positive for COVID 19.     When personally identifiable information needs to be released, FERPA applies  If the school determines that certain students had close contact with an affected student during a potentially contagious period.  When there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals and when someone needs PII from education records to protect the student’s or other individuals’ health or safety.  Actions the school might take during a period of risk:  1. Articulable and significant threat of a health or safety emergency: Articulable and significant threat means that the school should be able to explain, based on all the information available at the time, what the threat is and why it is significant.   In the FERPA and COVID 19 guidance, US Department of Education (USED) states that if local public health authorities determine that a public health emergency, such as COVID 19, is a significant threat to students or other individuals in the community, an educational agency/institution in the community may determine that an emergency exists too.    The 2009 FERPA and H1N1 guidance from USED notes that an emergency could include sharing information when necessary during the early stages of a pandemic.   2. Disclosure is necessary to protect health and safety of students and others:   The school decides that the affected student’s teachers, classmates and their parents, or students with whom the student spent significant amount of time know about the affected student in order to protect their health.  3. Only disclose the minimum amount of information required to address the issue at hand:  The school can choose to disclose to the classmates of an affected student that one of their classmates has COVID 19 without identifying who it is. In this case, FERPA would not apply.  If the school needs to directly or indirectly identify the student, they should make sure they provide the minimum information necessary. Perhaps details like the COVID 19 positive status and a window of time of the infection.  4. School officials should be sure to document when they release PII in this exception:   The health or safety emergency exception requires the school to list the following information in the student’s record: the articulable and significant threat that formed the basis for the disclosure and the parties who received the information.  If the school suspects that a student has COVID 19, what information can the school share with the community?  School administrators can proactively warn parents and students about COVID 19 in the school community to facilitate prevention efforts and ensure that people have information necessary to address a potential outbreak.  It is not necessary to identify the symptomatic individual.  Do not identify the student exhibiting symptoms unless the community needs to know that information, and perhaps share CDC-recommended preventative measures or other resources as part of a message that can help protect parents and students.  Do not make notifications about a student exhibiting symptoms to elicit fear.  FERPA does not cover teachers. So, if a teacher is affected, a school could share that information without violating FERPA. However, state laws regarding employee confidentiality might apply.   If a school suspects that a student may have COVID 19, can school officials contact the student’s primary care physician?  If a school cannot reach a student or parents and suspects that the student might have COVID 19, they can reach out to the student’s primary care physician to ask if the physician can confirm so the school can notify the community.  The school could obtain the parent’s or eligible student’s consent to contact the physician; use FERPA’s health or safety emergency exception.  However, HIPAA may not allow the physician to disclose any information back to the school. HIPAA contains an emergency exception that allows health care providers to disclose protected health information without patient authorization “as necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of the individual, another person, or the public.  If a provider identifies the risk, they would be permitted to disclose the minimum information necessary to the school.  If a student has COVID 19 and the school’s health records…

Is my child at risk of contracting COVID 19?

covid-19 resources, Health Care Tips

  Reports have it that children may not spread COVID 19 as much as adults do. However, as the US plans return to work after lockdowns, it is important for parents and school health facilitators to follow the CDC’s guidelines on children’s healthcare and well-being.   Most children over a year old may show mild symptoms of COVID 19. If they have a fever, cough, runny nose or diarrhea, it will be hard to ascertain if the symptoms are a result of the child having contracted the virus.  Therefore, it is recommended that in such instances they stay away from older people in the house, like grandparents.   As for a solution, wearing facemasks is now recommended by the CDC (for those who are 2 years and old). When children gather in public places, like grocery shops or pharmacies, where maintaining social distance is difficult, it is best for them to be in a mask. The same rule applies if you are from an area with high number of COVID 19 cases.   Latest reports have shown how 1 in 4 patients with the virus did not show any signs of the illness. So, wearing masks is a great way to prevent the spread. Also, ensure regular handwashing and sanitization as recommended by the CDC and health authorities. It would be best if you keep in touch with healthcare providers and health officials for specific guidance on the best measures to take to keep your children and yourselves safe.   However, if your child is showing symptoms of the illness, such a shortness of breath and fever, after coming in contact with someone you know who’s had the virus or you live in an area heavily affected by COVID 19, seek medical help.   For more information on, contact your local health department.  If you are at high risk of contracting the virus, the local health department will guide you on where you can get yourself and your kids tested, and will help you find the best care.  This is an essential step because most doctors are not available to test for COVID 19 at this time.     What should I do if my child is ill?  Children very often have mild illnesses and you can safely treat them at usual. However, if you find your child’s symptoms are not mild, it is recommended that you call a doctor before heading to a clinic to limit the chances of your child from getting the virus. If you don’t have a doctor, you can get in touch with your local clinic, urgent care center or emergency room before you head over as they can provide help via phone without you having to visit in person.

Tips for safely visiting your family and friends during COVID 19

covid-19 resources

As America prepares to reopen businesses, a pertinent question making the rounds is “When can I safely visit my family and friends?” Medical expert and family physician Bethany Panchal in an article for the Ohio State University has said that while there are no universal answers to the question, there are some tips that you can keep in mind, based on guidance from CDC and other public health entities.   Some of the major areas you need to think of before a decision to visit someone is:  Ensure everyone involved in the meeting plan have been healthy throughout the COVID 19 period for at least the past two weeks  Ensure that everyone involved in the meet-up plan has been healthy for at the past two weeks during this period. While any sign of COVID 19 need not be treated at a possible infection, it is best to avoid contact until the infected has been without a fever for at least three days and without any symptoms for about 10 days. Some of the symptoms are:   Fever at 100.4°F or higher   Respiratory symptoms, like dry cough or shortness of breath  Head ache  Body ache  Chills  Loss of taste or smell  Sore throat     Ensure everyone involved in the meeting plan is “low-risk”  Certain individuals are at a higher risk of being infected with illnesses like COVID 19. They are those who are 65 years old and above, living in a nursing home or long-term care arrangement, being immunocompromised, or having chronic lung disease issues, moderate to several asthma, a serious heart condition, diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, liver disease or severe obesity.   Review plans where such people are involved to avoid risks of exposing them to any infection that could compromise their health.    Ensure you can maintain social distancing during this meet-up   Wearing masks, maintaining your distance with at least six or more feet’s gap between everyone can help in minimizing the risk of spreading the infection.    Ensure to keep the number of people low  The more the people, the higher the chance of a transmission. So, keep the number of people in attendance low – set the maximum number at 10.   If you can ensure that these tips are kept in mind, you can go ahead with the meeting plan since the risk for all involved would be low.     If younger children are involved  However, if there are toddlers and children who cannot reliably social-distance involved in the meeting, make sure the elders have a good conversation about the rules. It’s relatively difficult to keep children away from the people they love, like their grandparents or friends, so make no exceptions in ensuring you follow the aforementioned tips during your meeting.    It would be best to consider setting strict no kiss no hug rules during these meetings. While it maybe harder to make children understand about it, the elders need to come to an understanding to keep everyone safe.  Facemasks are encouraged for children who are two years old and above, and keep in mind to follow thorough handwashing during these visits.     Questions to ask to ensure your meeting is safe  Has anyone in the household been ill in the past two weeks? Has anyone in the household been exposed to anyone who has been sick in the past two weeks? Does anyone in the household have any comorbidities (high-risk health factors) that would put them at greater risk if they were infected with COVID-19? Has anyone in the household been in a group of 10 or more recently, putting them at higher risk of transmission? The safest meetings would be the ones in which answers to all these questions is a “no”.    Be careful, always  That said, COVID 19 is extremely contagious. While we pull out all stops to make sure everything is favorable for our plans, we must understand that it Is likely that unforeseen circumstances like many people having it but not knowing it is a high possibility. And they could even spread it to people, who would show life-threatening symptoms.   So, be sure of the decisions you make and keep an eye out for the latest guidance from public health bodies like CDC.     Does that mean you shouldn’t be meeting people?  While some people may decide that they are not prepared to risk meeting other people until a vaccine is developed, which could take a while to develop, medical practitioners, recommend that people who want to meet their families must limit the number of people in a meeting. People should also keep away from participating in public gatherings, follow social distancing, wear face masks and follow healthy hygiene practices.   If you need expert guidance on whether you can go ahead with your plans, consult with your usual primary care provider for their opinion. 

Five ways in which a school nurse benefits the school

EHR, School nursing

  School nurses play an integral role in helping students maintain physical and mental wellbeing during their schooling years and beyond. For children in most communities, school nurses serve as the only healthcare professional the child will ever know. This is evidence of the importance of their role with respect to student and community health, providing comprehensive health services to children and youth.   So, how does a school nurse benefit the school?  After the child’s home, schools represent the second most influential environment in a child’s life. And the school nurse is the healthcare representative on the site. An understanding of a school nurse’s role is important in understanding the many benefits of having them in a schooling environment. School nurses help children learn about health, identify health risks and illnesses, address physical and emotional issues, administer medications safely, verify immunizations and more.  School nurses provide leadership for the provision of health services and beyond in a school setting helping keep the community a healthy and safe place for children.