WEDNESDAY WELLNESS

Noteworthy Nuggets:   Some children have health concerns that may require special modifications to the school environment in order to keep them safe and comfortable. It is very important that the school nurse and/or your child’s teacher are made aware of any health condition along with instructions on how to manage the condition on a daily basis and in an emergency situation.   A medication authorization form is generally required if children take medications during school hours.  This authorization applies regardless of whether the medication is a prescribed or an over-the-counter drug.  Details about the medication—including its purpose, side effects, dispensing instructions, and persons who are allowed to administer it—are included on the form.   Most schools require their students to have up-to-date immunizations and corresponding records on file.  This is especially important if your child is going to school for the first time.  An immunization record is generally due at the time of registration.  In addition, a current physical (in the last 12 months) is required, along with a form filled out by your healthcare provider. Kick off the new school year right by getting your child’s health information in order.  There are several items to think about when making back-to-school preparations, including your child’s individual health needs, medications, and immunizations.  Here are some general guidelines to help you prepare for an easy start to the school year. Individual health needs: Some children have health concerns that may require special modifications to the school environment in order to keep them safe and comfortable.  Common problems include asthma, allergies, attention deficit disorder, headaches, diabetes, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, seizures, and mental health issues.  It is very important that the school nurse and/or your child’s teacher are made aware of any health condition along with instructions on how to manage the condition on a daily basis and in an emergency situation.  Most schools provide detailed instruction forms that can be filled out and returned at the beginning of the school year.  Keep in mind that many forms require a physician's signature to authorize an order, so arrange to have these forms signed ahead of time to ensure that the information is received and carried out in a timely manner. Medications: A medication authorization form is generally required if children take medications during school hours.  This authorization applies regardless of whether the medication is a prescribed or an over-the-counter drug.  Details about the medication—including its purpose, side effects, dispensing instructions, and persons who are allowed to administer it—are included on the form.  Again, your healthcare provider may need to sign the form, so plan for this prior to the start of the school year.  Medications should be kept in a bottle with the correct label and should correspond with the medication names listed on the medical authorization form.  This is especially important for those students who self-administer their medications. Immunizations: Most schools require their students to have up-to-date immunizations and corresponding records on file.  This is especially important if your child is going to school for the first time.  An immunization record is generally due at the time of registration.  In addition, a current physical (in the last 12 months) is required, along with a form filled out by your healthcare provider.  Also, if your child received a booster or tetanus shot during the summer, provide a copy of the record to your child’s school for his file. If you haven’t glanced at an immunization schedule* in a while, you may not be aware of recommendations for three new vaccines for the pre-teen and adolescent age groups: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine:  Helps to protect girls from ovarian cancer caused by HPV; given to girls 11-12 years of age. DTaP ( diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis):  Helps to prevent the spread of whooping cough (in addition to tetanus and diphtheria); given to pre-teens and teens. Meningococcal vaccine:  Helps to prevent bacterial meningitis; given to college students living in dorms or similar living environments. Ensuring success: Your child has the best opportunity to succeed when a healthy school environment is in place.  One way to ensure this happens is to provide the necessary health information to nurses and teachers so that they can care for your child’s health needs.  Even if your child does not currently have any health problems, it is equally important to be aware of any changes in their health status.  This may include changes in vision, hearing, behavior, development, or ability to learn.  If you do notice a change, discuss it with your healthcare provider immediately to begin early intervention and treatment. Written by:Ann Henderson, RD, LDNRegistered Dietitian