Routine Lice checks

[Amethya]

So my school is a Public Charter School and such we have a No Nit policy. Well my Admin wants me to do routine lice checks for the whole school (568 kids) next semester. I called districts around our schools and they all say the same thing, because of HIPPA they don't do class lice checks or anything that extreme. I explained this to them but they are so adamant to do it. They are asking me to ask around for advice or plans for us to do it.

I already told my School health manager and she said if the admin want me to do it, I have to do it. So no way out of it.

So any help and advice would be appreciated.

[OldDude]

If the CDC, Texas Dept of State Health Services, AAP, NASN, Texas School Nurse Association, and every other organization that advises not to do classroom head checks don't convince them, it's a lost cause. they are caving to parent hysteria. I've posted this before but, back in the day when we did classroom head checks, we did have a parent threaten a law suit because her daughter was subjected to a classroom head check. Their attorney met with our superintendent and it never went to court but classroom head checks went by the wayside after that. Maybe you could research it from this angle.

[Supernrse01, BSN]

What is their reasoning for this and how often do they expect you to do it? There is really no "routine" in school-wide head checking, as far as I'm concerned.

[Amethya]

Their reasoning is because when I did my safety presentation, there was a part that said lice and one of the 1st grade teachers was livid about them. And my admin said she wanted me to do it in front of the whole staff.

They want me to do it at least once a semester, which is fine but I really think this is idiotic.

[Amethya]

If the CDC, Texas Dept of State Health Services, AAP, NASN, Texas School Nurse Association, and every other organization that advises not to do classroom head checks don't convince them, it's a lost cause. they are caving to parent hysteria. I've posted this before but, back in the day when we did classroom head checks, we did have a parent threaten a law suit because her daughter was subjected to a classroom head check. Their attorney met with our superintendent and it never went to court but classroom head checks went by the wayside after that. Maybe you could research it from this angle.

I asked SN from different schools around our school and each of them tell me the same thing ,HIPPA and that's their reasoning. When I mentioned this to admin, they said It's not HIPPA for screenings but for lice checks, that doesn't make sense. And that's when they said we want to, so we are.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I asked SN around our school and each of them tell me the same thing HIPPA and that's their reasoning and when I mentioned this to admin, they said It's not HIPPA for screenings but for lice checks? And that's when they said we want to, so we are.

I'd argue less about HIPAA and more about the fact that lice do not carry disease and do not stop most children from learning, nor will it spread easily. So what do these check achieve? Nothing, really, except fostering hysteria and adding to lost instruction time.

Lost instruction time. Very important words in education. They are my very favorite. Doing a classroom check is also lost instruction time.

On-topic, but not: I love this article! Lice in school: Let ’em stay.

[SaltineQueen]

This article is the best! Show it to your admin. https://www.pediatricnursing.net/ce/2016/article4005226235.pdf

Who is going to watch the health office while you're searching out these vile little creatures? To do a good, thorough check, will take you close to 30 hours...twice a year.

[GdBSN, RN]

This article is the best! Show it to your admin. https://www.pediatricnursing.net/ce/2016/article4005226235.pdf

This is article I print and hand out to anyone who ask questions about lice policies and practices.

[AdobeRN]

This is article I print and hand out to anyone who ask questions about lice policies and practices.

I do the same.

[SaltineQueen]

because of HIPPA

You also need to worry about FERPA.

I would give parents the option to opt out of checks, if you must do them, because some may not their little precious touched.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Three Words

Evidenced. Based. Practice.

[Amethya]

This article is the best! Show it to your admin. https://www.pediatricnursing.net/ce/2016/article4005226235.pdf

Who is going to watch the health office while you're searching out these vile little creatures? To do a good, thorough check, will take you close to 30 hours...twice a year.

No body apparently, because they want me to do my office work too. :/