Parent rights to school medical records?

Specialties School

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In Calif., do parents have the right to have copies of school medical records. Specifically, i'm referring to logs kept in health office for a diabetic student. I can't see any reason why the parent couldn't have copies but am unable to find code that addresses this specifically.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

What does your policy say they can have? FERPA (federal law) pretty much guarantees parents the right to access the educational records of their children, and it is my understanding that health records are a part of that.

Most of my diabetics took a picture of their paper log (it was a memory jogger for me) the day before they had to go to the endo. The log was also available on the EMR but very few parents went looking for it there.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Yes...

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Specializes in School nursing.

I would sent home a copy of the log right before endo appointments for the students that did daily checks with me.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Have you guys ever used "Blue Loop?" A program that connects school nurse, parent, and physician. Text messages go out to the parent every time an entry is made regarding BG, carbs, bolus info, etc. Logs are visible to anyone the parent authorizes. I used it for 6 years with my Type 1 here; quite useful and time saving.

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What does your policy say they can have? FERPA (federal law) pretty much guarantees parents the right to access the educational records of their children, and it is my understanding that health records are a part of that.

Most of my diabetics took a picture of their paper log (it was a memory jogger for me) the day before they had to go to the endo. The log was also available on the EMR but very few parents went looking for it there.

Good luck.

I can't find any district policies specific to this but from what I could google I gathered that it was part of the educational record and therefore not a problem for me to give. This morning I had a principal state not to give it to the parent but I already had. :( I said there was no reason not to but wanted to be sure by asking the experts on here.

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Have you guys ever used "Blue Loop?" A program that connects school nurse, parent, and physician. Text messages go out to the parent every time an entry is made regarding BG, carbs, bolus info, etc. Logs are visible to anyone the parent authorizes. I used it for 6 years with my Type 1 here; quite useful and time saving.

That sounds amazing!! I'll check it out!

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
Have you guys ever used "Blue Loop?" A program that connects school nurse, parent, and physician. Text messages go out to the parent every time an entry is made regarding BG, carbs, bolus info, etc. Logs are visible to anyone the parent authorizes. I used it for 6 years with my Type 1 here; quite useful and time saving.

How can you set one up?

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Yes, they are minors and the parents are entitled to their health records.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Their parents are entitled to their records, but I believe they may need to make a written request before obtaining copies, at least in my state.

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Yes, they are minors and the parents are entitled to their health records.

Agreed. Plus it is important for the endo to have those numbers to see how the student's sugar has been and for trends. I'd send it without question.

I had many students who would keep their own little log in the health office and then I'd make a copy to send home on Friday. Now more and more kids are having continuous monitoring so the info can be easily shared with the endo.

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I'm not in CA, but I've printed out my diabetic students their numbers without question.

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