Hey everyone! Very, very long time lurker! First time posting! I have been a school nurse at the same school since 2015. We are currently K-6 but will eventually be K-8.
Wondering if anyone is doing test to stay in lieu of whole class quarantine? What does it look like for your school? What are the logistics? No one is doing it in my state yet and we want to pilot it. Would love any resources that anyone is willing to share and just your opinions in general if your school is doing this. It’s for asymptomatic rapid (antigen) testing for 5 days in a row (not weekends) and letting the kids stay vs quarantining at home.
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
3 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:
Do they then get a TUMS....??
But seriously, the inconsistency on BinaxNow is frustrating. The literature states that antigen test are most accurate when a person is symptomatic. BUT, we can't keep a symptomatic kiddo in school with a negative result as we're told to get a PCR confirmation.
HOWEVER, we're told we can use Binax for reflex testing and/or test to stay for asymptomatic students - on whom an antigen test would supposedly be less accurate- and those results count...
Jed- You raise a point that I have pondered on many times. Because of that, I am ONLY testing symptomatic - mostly adults. I have done a few kids- only with the parent present. I have been very satisfied and am quite confident in the BinaxNOW in these instances.
We are using the test and stay only if it has been a close contact of a SCHOOL exposure, then staff and students identified as contacts can test and stay for 5 days.
So any close contacts that happened at school- including bus close contacts can stay using test to stay? I was thinking to only use it for whole classes who have been exposed only because then 1 contact in another class could lead to a whole new class exposure! Lots to think about.
On 10/6/2021 at 12:53 PM, JenTheSchoolRN said:
Same, but we test for 7 days (though is really 5 because of weekends).
Unvaccinated with close contact at home, no test and stay, quarantine applies (till day 8 with negative test on day 5; otherwise 10 days).
I also use the BinaxNOW test for symptomatic staff and students. I was reluctant at first, but it is actually a pretty great tool to have here. I also use the BinaxNOW test for reflux testing of any positive pools from our weekly pooled testing (which is for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff).
If you get a negative BINAX on a symptomatic student do they then need to get a negative PCR?
Jed- You raise a point that I have pondered on many times. Because of that, I am ONLY testing symptomatic - mostly adults. I have done a few kids- only with the parent present. I have been very satisfied and am quite confident in the BinaxNOW in these instances.
Happy Thursday Friends-
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Protocols aside, I just had my first positive pool last week. I was able to determine who the asymptomatic positive kiddo was the next day with...a BinaxNow test. (He did develop mild symptoms a few days later.)
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
On 10/7/2021 at 2:27 PM, SmallStateSchoolNurse said:
So any close contacts that happened at school- including bus close contacts can stay using test to stay? I was thinking to only use it for whole classes who have been exposed only because then 1 contact in another class could lead to a whole new class exposure! Lots to think about.
If you get a negative BINAX on a symptomatic student do they then need to get a negative PCR?
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
19 minutes ago, Cattz said:
Yes.
Sorry. I need to clarify this. The information that is to sent home with all those who are tested. Indicated that the person that tested positive's healthcare provider will determine if further testing is needed.
With that being said- I always tell everyone that tests negative to contact their healthcare provider for further instructions on how to proceed.
On 10/7/2021 at 3:27 PM, SmallStateSchoolNurse said:
So any close contacts that happened at school- including bus close contacts can stay using test to stay? I was thinking to only use it for whole classes who have been exposed only because then 1 contact in another class could lead to a whole new class exposure! Lots to think about.
If you get a negative BINAX on a symptomatic student do they then need to get a negative PCR?
Not at my school. BinaxNOW is actually pretty accurate for folks that have symptoms. But depending on the symptoms, they may still be dismissed and not cleared to return until resolved. Students with 2 or more minor symptoms may stay at school depending (sore throat and nasal congestion, for example).
And honestly for reflex testing of positive pools this year, it has identified my positive student easily each time.
We do test and stay for close contacts (not whole classes) of a positive at school and also for anyone with symptoms that develop at school (if develop at home must be tested prior to coming to school). It has helped to keep a lot of kids at school and so far our numbers have not been any greater than last year. It can get a little chaotic in the morning but I like the program overall.
Cattz, ADN
1,083 Posts
Jed- You raise a point that I have pondered on many times. Because of that, I am ONLY testing symptomatic - mostly adults. I have done a few kids- only with the parent present. I have been very satisfied and am quite confident in the BinaxNOW in these instances.
Happy Thursday Friends-
?