I have a student who had some sort of issue/procedure that has caused time out of school. In connecting w parent, student has indicated they are not obligated to share info (due to HIPAA/confidentiality) with us. I want to support this student as best I can upon return. I plan on asking for a statement of safety (that they are safe to be in school) and any restrictions they may need while in school.
Is there anything else we as a school can legally ask for?
Hopefully the documentation given to you was thorough enough to make it safe for you to medicate/observe at school.
To the other poster concerned about privacy--Obviously if a kid indicates that injury is in a sensitive area I don't ask to see it but I might call home to ask if the parents know whats going on/keeping on top of situation and medicate accordingly. However there are many situations where our observation of WHY a kid comes to us helps indicate abuse, injury parent is unaware of/getting worse, or changes our strategy on how we help.
I have had more than one kid who came in for pain and upon inspection had an injury that needed to be seen by a physician.
--A girl had arm pain and when asked to look at arm and talked with her she disclosed she attempted suicide, parents didn't know, she had a complex laceration showing a wrist tendon and after discussing with her and parent ended up need complex repair and inpatient mental health stay.
--Boy came in with "sore leg". Looked at it and had snagged it on barb wire-didn't tell parents because he didn't think it was a big deal but injury was open with purulent drainage oozing from under a 3 day old bandaid and ended up on antibiotics and a fresh DTap.
So you can see why school nurse's need to have due diligence in why a kid wants meds, to rest, to leave school.
It was. The child has returned and seems to be doing well. This has been a fascinating exchange and I appreciate each and everyone of you and your opinions. Here's to April the eventual end of another rocky school year.
If he is an adult, wouldn't the burden be on him to get himself to an Urgent Care or ER? Can adult students keep their own Tylenol/ibuprofen in their lockers?
If he is an adult, wouldn't the burden be on him to get himself to an Urgent Care or ER? Can adult students keep their own Tylenol/ibuprofen in their lockers?
That would be up to the school/district's medication admin policy. There are laws in place that remove some adult responsibilities/rights while an 18yo is still in public high school. Some may allow it, some may want written permission from a parent or MD, some may not allow it at all. I am certain a lot of students self-carry and just don't advertise it. Another reason why interviewing is so important - say a kid is self carrying tylenol and is administering the max dose around the clock but the pain is still there so they go and get another dose from the nurse; without asking questions, the nurse could inadvertently overdose the student and if they wind up in the hospital for acetaminophen toxicity... whose fault is that?
If he is an adult, wouldn't the burden be on him to get himself to an Urgent Care or ER? Can adult students keep their own Tylenol/ibuprofen in their lockers?
In an ideal world, no. In the real world of course they do, even though the handbook says no. I have kids who are allergic to both tylenol and/or ibuprofen, and also have some kids that come in and ask for aspirin. ? Some have NO clue what can happen if they were to share with a friend (who may be allergic), hence the reason for no one being able to carry. They do, I know it and can't do anything about it, except hope they don't cause damage when the wrong kid takes one. Most kids are pretty responsible, some will take anything just because it is there.
NutmeggeRN, BSN
2 Articles; 4,743 Posts
It was. The child has returned and seems to be doing well. This has been a fascinating exchange and I appreciate each and everyone of you and your opinions. Here's to April the eventual end of another rocky school year.