The following situations have happened to me over the years (I work in a high school): I have had student A (along with friends student B, C and D) come in to my office and tell me they are positive student E has lice. I have had student L's parent call me telling me that student L saw lice on student M and they just thought I would like to know so I can check student M. (Yep-for real) Today I had a teacher email me about student Q, R, S, and T concerned about student X's head lice that they all saw crawling in her hair. Teacher does not have student X as a student, but thought I might like to know. What do you do when you get a 3rd party report of head lice? Do you call the "affected" student down for a check? What do you tell the student? Sometimes it feels a bit like a witch hunt to me, but I am curious what other nurses do. Edited Mar 3 by ohiobobcat 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by MHDNURSE, BSN, MSN, RN, NP MHDNURSE has 21 years experience as a BSN, MSN, RN, NP and specializes in Pediatrics, Community, and School Health. 1,403 Posts; 13,196 Profile Views I only accept third party reports if it comes from a teacher and even then 95% of the time it is not enough "evidence" for me to do anything about it. I do not do whole class head check, and I will only check a kid if he has been actively scratching, c/o itching and other signs of lice. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by SaltineQueen SaltineQueen specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge. 1 Follower; 881 Posts; 6,377 Profile Views I do nothing...unless my boss gets word and insists on me checking. But he pretty much trusts my judgement. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by AdobeRN 1,180 Posts; 9,632 Profile Views I too do nothing. I thank them for the info and move on with my day. Edited Mar 3 by AdobeRN 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by ihavealltheice 164 Posts; 982 Profile Views I will only check if a teacher who has the student reports it to me. Not the gaggle of dramatic girls, parents, or just the random teacher who "thinks" they saw "something" in a student's hair. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by k1p1ssk, BSN, RN k1p1ssk has 9 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in pediatrics. 378 Posts; 4,761 Profile Views 1 hour ago, ihavealltheice said: I will only check if a teacher who has the student reports it to me. Not the gaggle of dramatic girls, parents, or just the random teacher who "thinks" they saw "something" in a student's hair. Samesies. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by ohiobobcat ohiobobcat specializes in ED, School Nurse. 878 Posts; 13,837 Profile Views OK, thank you for this. I, too, typically say thanks for the information, and move on with my day. But I started second-guessing myself for some reason today after that teacher emailed me. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by ruby_jane, BSN, RN ruby_jane has 10 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing. 5 Followers; 2,784 Posts; 11,572 Profile Views If the teacher doesn't have student X, how was the teacher thisclose to see all the bugs? Enquiring minds.... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by k1p1ssk, BSN, RN k1p1ssk has 9 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in pediatrics. 378 Posts; 4,761 Profile Views 7 minutes ago, ruby_jane said: If the teacher doesn't have student X, how was the teacher thisclose to see all the bugs? Enquiring minds.... If they saw a kid scratch their head while on lunch/recess duty, for example (at least in elementary school). I have a couple of paras who like to report on all the goings on in the cafeteria.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by AdobeRN 1,180 Posts; 9,632 Profile Views 24 minutes ago, ohiobobcat said: OK, thank you for this. I, too, typically say thanks for the information, and move on with my day. But I started second-guessing myself for some reason today after that teacher emailed me. It has taken me several years to learn this. A whole lot easier than going round and round with reasons why I am not checking heads of random kids. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by ohiobobcat ohiobobcat specializes in ED, School Nurse. 878 Posts; 13,837 Profile Views 19 minutes ago, ruby_jane said: If the teacher doesn't have student X, how was the teacher thisclose to see all the bugs? Enquiring minds.... In this particular case, it was a group of "concerned citizens (read: other students)" who reported it to the teacher, and the teacher passed the information on to me. Teacher made it clear in her email.that she has not seen Student X. Edited Mar 3 by ohiobobcat 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mar 3 by tining, BSN, RN tining has 26 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in School Nurse. 1 Follower; 1,007 Posts; 14,238 Profile Views 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
