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.

[tining, BSN, RN]

Our school policy states that

We appreciate your cooperation in assisting us in the prevention and control of head lice in our schools with routine family inspection, prompt and effective treatment and avoiding direct or indirect contact with other people's hair.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Here's another thought: Have you been trained to do this and are you comfortable performing this screening?

Not to offend but seriously - at summer camp, nurses who are fabulous nurses but do not have this in their practice wheelhouse have no idea what they're looking for. Years ago we missed live lice because the nurse wasn't trained to do this. The school nurses....we do just fine!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Here's another thought: Have you been trained to do this and are you comfortable performing this screening?

Not to offend but seriously - at summer camp, nurses who are fabulous nurses but do not have this in their practice wheelhouse have no idea what they're looking for. Years ago we missed live lice because the nurse wasn't trained to do this. The school nurses....we do just fine!

Valid point, ruby!

I still remember seeing my first louse on a student's head and it was very different than I was expecting, to be honest. I was subbing at a very large school - large enough for two nurses and the other nurse there found a case and showed me the complete ropes of a full lice check.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

You should be the one with the authority to make these decisions as the school nurse.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

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.

This. Technically you are touching their child. Without cause. (No itchy head). We have to have an opt out form for a vision screening which is hands off.

If they are going to go through with it, I would demand that at the very least, two other staff members are trained to detect lice and nits and perform them with you. Having one person check the whole school is absurd.

Also, as a PP said "loss of instruction time" is big with admins. But also bullying. These kids aren't stupid. If everyone is being checked and then Jimmy is sent home, now everyone knows Jimmy has lice and you KNOW the rumor mill be churning. I would let admin know that this opens up students to unnecessary bullying.

[WineRN]

I agree with everyone above but it sounds like you have no support from above.

I would write a letter to parents explaining what lice are, what the screening will be, and that there have been no cases currently AND that is screening does not mean that parent's shouldn't check their own children on a regular basis throughout the year. And then on the bottom of the letter allow the parents to have the choice to opt out of the screening.

AND if you have not actually been trained on how to screen for lice, I would tell your school health manager that she/he needs to either come and help or train you in how to properly look for lice. Maybe if it becomes and inconvenience for them, they will get that it is a HUGE and unneeded inconvenience for you

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

You should be the one with the authority to make these decisions as the school nurse.

Actually, she is not a nurse. And I don't believe she has a nurse to report to, just an administrator.

[Amethya]

Well we now have an issue.

I was forced to check all the school this past month because of some student having lice in 1st grade, and having siblings in different grades, so it was like why not?

I did it, it was fine. I just called them 4 at a time in my office and quickly checked. (And yes, I am comfortable in doing it because I know how to check)

I did almost all the grades in my school, had to stop for a week for testing, when I got an email from a parent stating she's concerned about her child getting checked without permission. She explained she taught her child that no one, no matter what type of authority figure, isn't allowed to physically exam or touch her without her permission or parents permission (I do give her kudos for teaching her child this).

The child told mother that I checked her hair last week, but I didn't because I finished the 1st graders (She's in 1st grade) and I didn't find anything, in the beginning of the month.

I explained to mother that we are suppose to because we want to make sure our students are safe and healthy, but I did let the child know what I was doing, I was just checking her hair for "buggies". Mother appreciated that I let the child know, but she still says we need to ask for permission to touch her child. I didn't argue, I said I understand and that I'll talk to my admin about this.

So now, on the last day of school before holidays, I get an email from my AP saying I need to ask on this because we never encounter this and to ask fro advice from the person in charge of the medical aides, because the parent sent another email stating what she told me.

I explained to my AP I will not continue with lice checks for the whole school until I get a response on this from my school health manager, because this isn't a mandated screening, and I don't feel comfortable doing this until I get more information how we should do this and I don't want any more parents complaining to me something I was ordered to do.

The Principal agreed and we are basically waiting. But I basically told them this before, that there will the parents who will get bothered we are checking the child without reason or notice, but no one listened to me.

The good thing for me, that I'm basically covering my butt and I'm just doing my job. So... eh.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

Being private, my admins say they will be done no matter what. Thankfully I have only done 2.