end of year questions

LACA, BSN, LPN, RN · May 14, 2010

As far as the medications, it's against our district policy to keep them from year to year. I am sending a note home early next week that any meds need to be picked up the last day of school (it's a half day, but I will be here all day). Whatever is left at 3:30 is going to be put in a trash bag with used coffee grounds and disposed of. They told us to use coffee grounds because it prevents anyone from digging through and getting meds out. I'm not completely sure about the epi pens or inhalers, I think they can stay as long as the script and expiration date are okay, but you need to double check on that. I'm just going to send them home at the end of the year. I'm also going to make parents sign a form when they pick up their child's medicines, stating what they picked up and the date they got them and their signature.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · May 14, 2010

We do not keep the meds over the summer either (unless student is in summer school). I sent a note last week stating that they must be picked up by the last day of school or any leftover meds will be destroyed. I will send a reminder on the Monday of the last week of school also. I incldue with the first note a blank permit for next year as well. Most of them lose it over the summer anyway, but oh well. Anything left over I take to Health Services and they dispose of it for me.

As far as care plans, I think it depends on your state. Here in Texas I am required to have individualized care plans for any students with chronic or severe acute medical issues. I work with the parents and if possible the physicians to get the care plan and I write it so it is easy to understand for the teachers who I share it with on a need-to-know basis.

bergren · May 14, 2010

"are we required to do any sort of care plans for kids with chronic conditions"

Are you an RN? Then the answer is yes, only an RN can sign off on a care plan and of all the state nurse practice acts I have looked at, all state that care plans are part of the role.

It is also part of the Scope and Standards of School Nursing Practice. So if a child who needs a care plan does not have one and something goes wrong, you could be found negligent.

Who needs a care plan? It comes down to your nursing judgment

Any student who:

Requires preventative measures

Requires education

Requires recognition of symptoms

Requires a response

Treatment

Medication

Procedures

Specifically:

Any child with a chronic health problem who needs case management

Acute & chronic physical & health impairments, e.g. cerebral palsy & diabetes

Developmental problems

Diseases, such as Lyme disease & tuberculosis

Medical interventions, e.g. gastrostomies & organ transplants

Allergies, e.g. latex allergies

Social / emotional problems

A school nurse care plan book:

C. Silkworth, M. Arnold, J. Harrigan, & D. Zaiger (Eds).(2005). Individualized healthcare plans and the school nurse. North Branch, MN: Sunrise River Press.

LACA, BSN, LPN, RN · May 14, 2010

I would love to have that book but it's $170 and there is no way that my district will give me that kind of money to spend on a book. Even out of the $400 of county money I get each year, I can't spend almost half on a book for care plans. Are there any cheaper options??

rdsxfnrn · May 14, 2010

JessicaA, i have the book and I do not use it. I will give it to you, send me your address. :)

Supernrse01, BSN · May 14, 2010

I just sent a letter home yesterday. It was addressed to the parents of students with medications at the school asking them to be sure that the medications were picked up by 5/28/10, the last day of school. The parents must pick the medications up, we do not allow them to carry them in their backpacks on the bus.

lovepink · May 14, 2010

You said RN's.. as an LVN (all of us in the district) is that something I need to have? I was wondering about that after reading some of the posts, but have been told no. Maybe because we are LVNs lol The diabetics have a care plan provided by their dr, we have that on file but other than that we don't do them. Should I start doing care plans on our asthma kids or kids with anaphylactic allergies, ulcerative colitis, or autism? I definitely do NOT want to be negligent!!

LACA, BSN, LPN, RN · May 14, 2010

JessicaA, i have the book and I do not use it. I will give it to you, send me your address. :)

Hey, I sent you a message with my address, let me know if you get it! Thanks!!!

bergren · May 14, 2010

" You said RN's.. as an LVN (all of us in the district) is that something I need to have? ... Maybe because we are LVNs lol The diabetics have a care plan provided by their dr.....Should I start doing care plans on our asthma kids or kids with anaphylactic allergies, ulcerative colitis, or autism?"

In most states, you have to have the RN for the care planning. certainly you should have input, in fact you might even write it and the RN would sign off on it. However, the RN in the district would have the responsiblity for writing all of your care plans and he or she would be the one negligent IN MOST STATES.

Check with your state school nurse consultant: Members | NASSNC

"asthma kids or kids with anaphylactic allergies, ulcerative colitis, or autism?" All these kids should have a care plan.

rdsxfnrn · May 14, 2010

JessicaA, mailed today. enjoy them, they are rather dry reading! :)

LACA, BSN, LPN, RN · May 17, 2010

JessicaA, mailed today. enjoy them, they are rather dry reading! :)

I can handle a little dry reading if it helps me with doing careplans!! Thanks so much!