Health Procedures
The following guidelines outline the steps necessary for the school nurse or designated school employees to perform specialized physical health care procedures. Procedures might include blood sugar determinations, catheterizations, complex dressing changes, suctioning, tube feedings, etc.
A. Interview with parent/guardian and the school nurse as to the condition of the student and the need for specialized health care procedures.
B. A release form shall be signed by the parent/guardian giving permission for the school nurse to obtain information and instructions from the student’s physician.
C. The “Health Care Procedure Authorization” form must be filled out in detail and signed by the physician and the parent/guardian. Procedures will not be performed by the nurse or staff member without physician authorization.
D. The parent/guardian will be responsible for providing and maintaining the necessary equipment/supplies to perform the procedure. The procedure will not be performed by the nurse or staff member if equipment/supplies are not maintained in good condition.
E. The school nurse or designated school employee will not be liable to the student or the parent/guardian of the student for civil damages for any personal injuries to the student which results from acts or omissions of the school nurse or designated school employee in performing a specialized health care procedure, except for acts or omissions constituting gross, willful or wanton negligence.
F. Designated school employees (other than the school nurse) include the principal, assistant principal, secretary, receptionist, teacher, or other school personnel as designated by the principal after consultation with the school nurse.
Diabetic Students
If your child has Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, a current Diabetic Medical Management Plan (DMMP) from your child’s physician will need to be provided for the current school year. Your school nurse will need the DMMP, and all materials provided listed in the DMMP, by the first day of school for the nurse to be able to care for your child. If your child wears a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), please fill out the consent form and give it to your school nurse.
Download Form Letter of Consent for Blood Sugar readings
Seizure Safe School Act
To stay in compliance with the Seizure Safe School Act, any student needing a seizure rescue medication needs a written statement by their health care provider. Most neurologists will provide a yearly seizure action plan for schools. If your doctor does not have one, you may download a form from the State Department of Health that they can fill out and give to your school nurse.
Seizure-Rescue Medication (Seizure-Safe Schools Act)
Beginning January 1, 2022, at every school site that has a student enrolled who (1) has a seizure disorder and (2) has a seizure rescue medication or other medication prescribed to treat seizure disorder symptoms approved by the Food and Drug Administration and any successor agency that is prescribed by the student’s health care provider, the district shall have at least one employee who has met the training requirements necessary to (1) administer or assist with self-administration of seizure medications, and (2) recognize the signs and symptoms of seizures and the appropriate steps to be taken to respond to these symptoms.
For purposes of this training, the district is permitted by law to use any adequate and appropriate training programs or guidelines for training of school personnel in the seizure disorder care tasks covered under this policy.
Before a seizure rescue medication can be administered to a student to treat seizure disorder symptoms, the student’s parent or legal guardian shall do the following:
A. provide the school with written authorization to administer the medication at school;
B. provide a written statement from the student’s health care provider that shall contain the following information:
-
student’s name;
-
the name and purpose of the medication
-
the prescribed dosage
-
the route of administration
-
the frequency that the medication may be administered, and
-
the circumstances under which the medication may be administered.
C. provide the prescribed medication to the school in its unopened, sealed package with the label affixed by the dispensing pharmacy; and
D. collaborate with school personnel to create a “seizure action plan,” which means a written, individualized health plan designed to acknowledge and prepare for the health care needs of a student diagnosed with a seizure disorder.
The written authorization and seizure action plan shall be kept on file in the office of the school nurse or school administrator, and it shall be distributed to any school personnel or volunteers responsible for the supervision or care of the student. The written authorization and seizure action plan shall be effective only for the school year in which written authorization is granted and may be renewed each following school year upon fulfilling requirements A-D above.
The district shall follow all administrative rules promulgated by the State Board of Education for the development and implementation of the seizure education program and the procedures for the development and content of seizure action plans.
Pursuant to state law, a school employee may not be subject to any disciplinary proceedings resulting from an action taken in compliance with the Seizure-Safe Schools Act, and any employee acting in accordance with the provisions of that act shall be immune from civil liability unless the actions of the employee rise to the level of reckless or intentional misconduct. Any district-employed school nurse shall not be responsible for and shall not be subject to disciplinary action for actions performed by a volunteer.