Student absences

[nursekoll, BSN, RN]

I am a part-time school nurse, only at each of my schools once per week. I do not have access to student absence information for the days I am not in my office. I would like a way to be notified of high numbers of student illnesses/absences. What percent of absent students should I be concerned about? We have about 300 students in my district. I was thinking 10%. I was just wondering if any of you track absences, illnesses, trends, etc?

[kidzcare]

I keep track of absences in my building (for the next 2 days anyway). I think our standard attendance is around 96%. I start thinking it's pretty low around 91%.

[Cattz, ADN]

I am a part-time school nurse, only at each of my schools once per week. I do not have access to student absence information for the days I am not in my office. I would like a way to be notified of high numbers of student illnesses/absences. What percent of absent students should I be concerned about? We have about 300 students in my district. I was thinking 10%. I was just wondering if any of you track absences, illnesses, trends, etc?

Yes, I do. I am in a similar situation, in that I am only in each of my buildings 1 time and on occasion 2 times a week. I do track illness trends, etc. Because I have to report this to the Health Dept. as Disease Surveillance. I have a form that I made up that the secretaries complete on the days that I am absent. I can't attach it (because I had to set up a new AN account recently). But if you give me your email or fax number I will get it to you, in case it would be helpful.

[nursekoll, BSN, RN]

The secretary reports once per week to the health department and I get a copy of that report. I think she might blow a gasket if I asked her to do one each day!!! That's why I was thinking to ask her to report to me only if absences are more than 8-10%. Thanks anyway!

[schooldistrictnurse]

During the H1N1 kerfuffle we had to close a building and it was high absence that triggered it all. So it's important to know trends. I wish I could say it was superior epidemiological sleuthing on my part but the Monday morning attendance was 50%.

They did the best they could teaching (or shall I say entertaining) the ones who were there (nearly impossible to send kids home mid-day) and closed the school for the next three days. A great experience in seeing cooperation first hand b/t Health Dept, Nursing Dept (me) and admin.

[Cattz, ADN]

kerfuffle- good word. I like that. I am going to add that to my vocabulary.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

I do attendance here, I get concerned at 15%, as we are small. By 20% we will close, as we have once before. It is hard to gauge with only 112 students.