School Kids Healthcare

Hiking Safety Tips

America’s National Park’s have more than 12,000 miles of trails. Hiking is great because you get to enjoy beautiful scenery, look for those little creatures that are trying to blend in with their surroundings and oh yeah, get exercise. Of course, with anything there’s always a chance one can get hurt or sidetracked so you need to take precautions to protect yourself from the what ifs. Here’s what you need to up your safety (fun) factor:

1. Good shoes that fit well and thick socks
2. A backpack to hold your necessities
3. Dress in layers, including a hooded, waterproof jacket, hat and sunglasses
4. Sunscreen
5. Insect Repellent
6. Map and compass
7. Water and food
8. Waterproof matches and army-style knife
9. Flashlight and extra batteries
10. First aid kit

These ten safety tips for hiking are pretty easy to handle. Many of the suggested safety items may be found right in your home. If you want to be head of the class you may consider a weather radio, CPR mask and whistle. You never know what can happen in the wilderness (snake bite, bee sting, all of a sudden anaphylactic shock). It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Be safe and enjoy the trails!

Source: Bam.gov

Lightning Safety Week – June 21 – 27, 2009

Not only is this Sunday Father’s Day it’s also the kick off of Lightning Safety Week. Lightning, the nation’s deadliest weather phenomena, strikes year round but summer is its peak season.

Over the past 30 years, lightning killed an average of 58 people per year. This is higher than the 57 deaths per year caused by tornadoes and average 48 deaths to hurricanes. However, since lightning generally claims one or two victims at a time and does not cause mass destruction it is underrated as a major risk. Documented lightning injuries average about 300 per year in the U.S. but obviously without all the lightning injuries being documented the true number will never be known.

Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the area where it is raining. That’s about the distance you can hear thunder. So, if you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance and should seek shelter immediately. The National Weather Service has a great tag line: “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”

Once indoors stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Stay away from pools (indoor or outdoor), tubs, showers and other plumbing. Wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before going outside again.

If someone should be the victim of a lightning strike know that they do not carry an electrical charge, are safe to touch and need urgent medical attention. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for those whose lives are taken. Some lives may be saved if the victim receives the proper first aid immediately. Call 9-1-1 immediately and perform CPR if the victim is unresponsive or not breathing. If an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is available, use it.

Lightning is dangerous but with common sense and proper first aid training you can greatly increase the safety of yourself and others.

Source: NOAA.gov

Summer Size Up

The end of the school year is nearing but that doesn’t mean the kids have to stop learning or making good choices. As an educational professional, what message are you leaving your students with?

As a school psychologist did you review the negative effects bullying can have on one’s self esteem? How about the effects of peer pressure? Off the playground or out of the hallway there’s still the public pool, parks, house parties, etc. that peer pressure weasels its way into.

If you’re a health teacher is there a female student who needs some guidance when it comes to healthy eating choices because she suffers from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia? How about reminding students that it’s okay to say “no” to sex? Realistically, knowing that not all kids practice abstinence, reiterate the importance of the use of condoms.

School nurses can’t stress enough the importance of hand washing. There’s a cool product on the market called Glo Germ that shows kids, and adults for that matter, just how quickly germs can spread. That would be a perfect summer “experiment” to keep the young people busy.

Speaking of keeping busy, physical fitness gurus (AKA gym teachers) maybe you won’t be able to drag the kids away from VH1’s latest “blank of love” reality show but you could create some commercial length quickie workouts that won’t seem so bad when broken down. I know you know children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity each day but do they?

Of course they may roll their eyes now but encouraging kids to keep active, read, take part in positive group activities and get out and enjoy the summer weather (of course wearing sun block) is all a part of what twenty years down the line they’ll be wishing they could do again instead of sitting at work twittering about it.

Source: CDC

National CPR/AED Awareness Week 2009

June 1 – 7, 2009 marks the second annual National CPR/AED Awareness Week. As a trained professional you may know how to respond to cardiac emergencies but do your loved ones? The goal of this week is to promote the importance and provide CPR and automatic external defibrillator (AED) training. From infants to the elderly, thousands of lives are saved every year because someone took the time to learn how to perform these important lifesaving skills. Find the special events happening in your hometown at: http://american.redcross.org/cpraedevents.

Startling Sexual Behavior Facts

Researchers report that the majority of middle school students are not having sex however the small percentage who are may be as young as 12.

In a large U.S. urban public middle school researchers found that 12% of students had engaged in vaginal sex, 7.9% in oral sex and 6.5% in anal sex. Of that 12% two thirds were currently sexually active and 25% reported having four or more partners.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focused on the four most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – Chlamydia, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV) and trichomonisas – and found that 1 in 4 teenage girls were infected with at least one of them.

Those are just the most common STDs/STIs. There’s also bacterial vaginosis, chancroid, gonorrhea, hepatitis (A, B, C), HIV/AIDS, molluscum contagiosum, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pubic lice (crabs), scabies, syphilis, yeast infection…scary.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) noted that sex education that includes information about abstinence and birth control is the most effective way to keep the teen pregnancy rate down.

On May 12 the school board in Willamina, Oregon voted 3 to 2 in favor of allowing the high school health clinic’s nurse practitioner to prescribe birth control pills. The district’s policy also authorizes the school nurse to provide condoms to students who ask for them.

The importance of talking to your kids openly about abstinence, birth control, pregnancy, STDs/STIs, etc., will help them to make wise choices and more than likely make them feel more comfortable in coming to you for advice. Whether you live in the country, a suburb or urban community this is a topic that affects everyone.

What’s your take on all this? Should it be the school educating and offering birth control options, the parents’ responsibility or both?

Source: CDC, KidsHealth.com, KPTV.com

Poison Plants – Ivy, Oak, Sumac

What allergen is found in poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac plants? If you guessed urushiol, you’re right. Urushiol, a rash-causing substance, is colorless and has odorless oil (called resin) that is contained in the leaves of these plants.

Not everyone suffers an allergic reaction to usuhiol but about 60% to 80% of people do. A reaction could be a rash, causing itching, burning or blistering, and sometimes swelling. A reaction to urushiol could appear within hours of contact or up to five days later.

Mild rashes may be treated at home with calamine lotion, oral antihistamine, cold compresses and good old soap and water. However, if the rash covers a large portion of the body, or is on the genitals or the face, getting worse despite home remedies or looks to be infected (symptoms getting worse, pus) it’s time to seek medical attention.

Poison ivy can grow anywhere and is not always the easiest to indentify. The green leaves of poison plants often blend right in with other plants and brush. Not only is poison ivy deceiving to the eyes it’s possible to suffer a rash without even directly touching a plant. Uroshiol is transferable from person to person and you can even get it from your pet. The leaves of poison ivy are sensitive. Whether they’re bumped, torn, brushed against, or burned the leaves release urushiol thus making you susceptible.

To lower your chances of suffering a reaction to poison ivy, oak or sumac learn to identify what they look like (if the leaves look shiny, steer clear) so you can avoid those areas. Out on an afternoon hike? Wear long sleeves and pants. Did you take your beloved pet on that hike? Give ‘em a good shower to wash anything off they have come in contact with. No one wants the itchy scratchies.

Print a Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac Instruction Sheet from KidsHealth.org to keep handy.

Source: KidsHealth.org

Elementary School Vision Screening

In the United States millions of children in elementary schools have vision problems that go undetected and untreated. If you can’t see properly how can you function properly? Not being able to see clearly can hinder your ability to learn.

The Vision Council reported that 16 states require no school vision testing and of the schools where screening is mandatory follow-ups were not always effective and in some circumstances nonexistent.

As a school nurse you may want to do vision testing but the funds may not always be there, however, there’s hope. The Essilor Vision Foundation was created to establish teams that adopt entire schools to annually test students’ vision and provide glasses and follow-up care to those who need them for free. How awesome is that?

“The program works by having volunteers ‘adopt’ a school to provide free vision screening and free glasses for children year after year while they are in school. I personally think the program provides a tremendous service because there is absolutely no cost to the school or the students and there is an enormous need for vision testing and eyeglasses among young children” noted John Sailer, Senior Editor of First Vision Media Group who wrote the article “Kids Get Free Glasses” in the May 2009 Vision Care Venture issue.

What vision screening actions are taken at your school? Are they provided to select grades throughout the elementary years? Does the school district set aside funds for eye exams?

Sources: VisionCareVenture.com

School Kids Healthcare donates hand sanitizers to school districts in recognition of National School Nurses Week

While the CDC recommends that schools no longer need to close due to H1N1 swine flu concerns, they recommend using antibacterial hand cleaners and sanitizing the campus. School Kids Healthcare comes to the rescue for two local Wisconsin school districts to lend a hand with a donation of hand sanitizers.

WAUKESHA, WI May 5, 2009 -Today, School Kids Healthcare (SKHC) donated 200 bottles of hand sanitizers to the Milwaukee Public School District (MPS) and the Waukesha Public School District to recognize National School Nurses Week. “We were looking for something we could do to help our local schools with the swine flu outbreak. At the same time, we wanted to recognize all of the hard work school nurses do every day to protect our kids,” Marketing Director Michael Margolies said. “We talk with schools and school nurses every day about trying to keep our kids safe with very limited budgets. Then, out of the blue, this flu pandemic happens. This donation lets us help a little in our own backyard.”

The CDC has recommended all public schools, colleges, and nursery schools provide hand sanitizers for students and faculty alike, as well as disinfect campuses. Many businesses and consumers are doing the same thing.

In addition to providing medical supplies and first aid products to schools and colleges, School Kids Healthcare is also a leading provider of infection control products such as hand sanitizers, wipes, surface cleaners, and other disinfecting products.

School nurses provide critical care to our students at a time when budgets are being cut and often school nurses are the first to go. Yet, today, we depend on them to dispense allergy medicines and prescriptions, diabetic care, perform vision and hearing screens, educate about sex and reproduction, provide first aid, help plan for emergencies and disasters, school lock downs and drug abuse issues while serving multiple schools or campuses at the same time. Recognizing the tremendous service they perform under difficult circumstances is what National Nurses Week is all about.

“School Kids Healthcare recognizes the important part we play in helping school nurses, health centers, and campus clinics provide for the health and well being of students and our own kids as well,” Director of Customer Service Kim Alexander said. “This current swine flu situation is just the kind of thing health care professionals depend on us for.”

About School Kids Healthcare

School Kids Healthcare is a provider of medical, emergency, and first aid supplies, and pharmaceuticals to school nurses, clinics, nursing colleges, campus health centers, safety, campgrounds, and individuals. SKHC is a division of Emergency Medical Products in Waukesha, Wisconsin, SKHC offers products though catalogs and online at www.schoolkidshealthcare.com. Schools and colleges automatically receive terms, SKHC offers bulk pricing, contract bidding, free ground shipping, and competitive retail pricing on consumer products. School Kids Healthcare and Emergency Medical Products are part of the privately held Sarnova family of companies.

For more information and a complete listing of products go to: www.schoolkidshealthcare.com, email: service@schoolkidshealthcare.com, or call: 866-558-0686

For media information or questions about this news release contact: Marketing Director Michael Margolies, at: 262-574-2200 or email to: michaelm@schoolkidshealthcare.com

National School Nurse Day Kicks off National Nurse Week

May 6, 2009 kicks off National Nurse Week with a dedicated day all to School Nurses. National Nurse Week is always May 6 – 12 and National School Nurse Day is always celebrated on the Wednesday within that week.

This year’s theme “School Nurses: Meeting Needs of Today’s Students” is a targeted statement yet so broad. What is “Today’s Student?” Is it a student with diabetes? Might it be a student who has asthma? Could it be a student with an eating disorder?

Today’s Student does not fall into one neat little package with a pretty little bow. Today’s Student may need a bandage from time to time but in reality their day to day needs far exceed the popular belief of band-aids and tummy aches.

School Nurses not only give medical attention but they conduct prevention screenings for vision and hearing. School Nurses also educate students about proper hygiene; as well as sexual health, nutrition and the importance of physical fitness just to name a few.

Not all schools are lucky enough to have a School Nurse. Budgets are being prepared for the upcoming school year and some districts are cutting School Nurses in order to keep their funds within perspective.

Amidst the H1N1 uproar not only are School Nurses closely monitoring students to determine whether symptoms are that of a cold or swine flu they are fulfilling their everyday duties on top of that (monitoring blood glucose, handling prescription medications, etc).

School Nurses are very much needed but not always appreciated. If your school is lucky enough to have a school nurse take a moment to say, “thank you.” If you do not have a school nurse write a letter to the school board about the importance of having one.

School Nurses don’t let this day pass by without notice. Print official NASN School Nurse Day Posters to hang in your health room office and around the school.

Source: NASN.org

Six Tips to Avoid Swine Flu

Just when you thought the flu season was coming to an end Swine Flu swept in and has been infecting people all over the world. To date there have been over 90 lab confirmed cases and one death in the United States alone.

Swine Influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A (H1N1) influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get Swine Flu. However, the recent outbreak is a never-before seen combination of human, swine, and avian influenza viruses.

Swine Flu has similar symptoms of regular human flu (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue) and ranges in severity from mild to severe (diarrhea and vomiting).

No one is exempt from catching the flu but there are steps you can take to avoid it. They’re common, you’ve heard them before, but just in case let’s review.

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. Some people wear masks (also referred to as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, and laser masks) or particulate respirators. The best ones at blocking viruses are the respirators.  

2. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. The CDC also recommends you keep sick children home from school and have a plan for day care if you cannot be with them.

3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw away each tissue after use. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. It’s such a simple gesture of common courtesy yet so often forgotten.

4. Frequently Washing your hands to help protect you from germs. What’s that old saying…while washing your hands sing the “ABCs” or “Happy Birthday” to make sure you’re washing your hands long enough to get rid of the gunk. If you’re on the go, keep some hand sanitizer or handy wipes in your car or bag.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits – get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, avoid sugar, and eat nutritious food.

In addition to these six tips keeping a sanitary home and workspace also helps. Thoroughly disinfecting commonly used household and workspace fixtures and electronics (doorknobs, railings, keyboards, telephones, cell phones, remote controls, etc.) with an antimicrobial hand wipe will also help kill germs and bacteria.    

Stay safe.

Watch CDC podcast giving instructions on how to put on and take off disposable respirators.

Source: CDC