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September Is National Preparedness Month - Are You Ready?
This September marks the fifth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM) and School Kids Healthcare wants to know are you ready? This year’s focus of NPM is to encourage citizens to take these important preparedness steps:
Get a Kit – So, what should you put in your kit? When thinking about preparing for a possible emergency it’s best to think about your basic survival needs - fresh water, food, clean air, and warmth.
When preparing your own emergency supply kit these items are some of the recommended items: 3 day supply of 1 gallon of water and non-perishable food per person per day, first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, moist towelettes, and feminine needs. Click here for a complete, printer-friendly check list.
Make a Plan – Your family needs to have an emergency plan. You may not all be together when a disaster strikes so it is best to plan ahead of time. A few basic questions to answer when making this plan are: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. What natural and man-made disasters could occur in your area? Make a plan for each different situation. Click here for more information and a family emergency plan template.
Be Informed – Research what emergencies could occur in your area and how you should handle them. Learn the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government. Stay up to date on community and state information.
Get Involved – Once you’ve prepared your emergency preparedness kit, made your emergency plan, and you’ve informed yourself, what’s next? Stay involved. Learn more about Citizen Corps, which actively involves citizens in making our communities and our nation safer, stronger and better prepared. Talk with your neighbors, local fire and police departments, school districts, etc.
How do these government preparedness recommendations coincide with your school’s plan of action? Do individual classrooms have an emergency response kit or is there one main school extended support emergency kit?
To find out how prepared you are take the “What’s Your Readiness Quotient” quiz.
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Gloves and the US Economy
It’s no secret that the US Economy has seen better days. The cost of energy and oil are always going up. Manufacturers are being forced to raise prices that in turn trickle down to you, the consumer. Unfortunately, medical gloves are not exempt from this.
Other vendors have already announced price increases on latex gloves and latex free gloves. Some of these other vendor’s price increases have already gone into effect. School Kids Healthcare will eventually have to raise their prices as well, however not until later this year. School Kids Healthcare is always working hard to get you the best prices.
Rest assured you can buy all your school nurse supplies at great prices with School Kids Healthcare. Whether you’re looking for nitrile gloves, vinyl gloves, safety gloves, or even the new and cool black gloves School Kids Healthcare has them in stock and ready to ship FREE to you at the same great prices.
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Back To School Fashions Are Always In The News But What About School Nurse Supplies?
It’s getting to be that time. You may already be there, heck, you may have never even left – school. You’re probably running around making sure you have diabetic supplies and screening tests on hand, arranging health room supplies, oh yeah, and planning the school year.
Many communities will be hosting back to school events offering free school supplies, immunizations, and screenings for students. What’s your community doing? Is your school hosting any free school supply giveaways or offering free vision and hearing testing? Take a moment to spread the word.
Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Palm Bay, Florida recently held an event for parents to determine if their children were eligible for Florida KidCare health insurance program as well as gave away free school supplies.
Speaking of health insurance, do parents know their children may be eligible for free or low-cost health insurance? The US Department of Health and Human Services notes every state in the nation has health insurance programs for children 18 years old and younger. For little or no cost the insurance covers doctor visits, prescription medicines, and much more. To find out your state’s program click here.
As a school nurse are there any suggestions you have for parents about getting their child ready for the upcoming school year? Should Asthma Action Plan forms be filled out? Are there any school nursing supplies you would love to see families donate to the school health room?
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To Screen or Not To Screen – That Is the Question
The link between vision and hearing problems and barriers to learning is quite straightforward. Not so obvious is the link between postural screening and educational performance.
A quick search of the internet finds that the National Association of School Nurses devotes an entire publication to postural screening. There is a National Scoliosis Foundation and a Scoliosis Research Society. In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has a very thorough training manual for postural screening programs.
In the Massachusetts document, it states that “Severe curvatures, left untreated, can cause physical deformity, arthritic symptoms, heart and lung disorders, and other medical problems.” What school nurse wouldn’t want to prevent complications as serious as these?
In the part of the country where I live (Wisconsin), there is no mandate for postural screening. Perhaps there should be, if we want to prevent health problems related to severe scoliosis. But given the shrinking resources, both human and financial, that school districts all over the country are experiencing, is this labor-intensive screening cost-effective? Is there anything to substantiate its value in evidence-based practice research?
The statistics from the Massachusetts manual say that “Signs of a lateral curvature (scoliosis) occur in about 10% of the population although only about 2% develop a condition which would require medical treatment.”
Let’s do the math. In my district, screening 5th through 9th graders would result in approximately 5,000 students being screened. Based on the data, I might expect to have 500 students with positive findings. Of those, approximately 10 would have curvature severe enough to require medical treatment. The other 490 may or may not progress to a greater degree of severity.
I would argue that for those 10 students and their families, screening would be life-altering. I’m wondering what you think? To screen or not to screen, that is the question!
Twyla Lato, RN, BSN, NCSN is a School District Nurse for a suburban community in southeast Wisconsin, and a past president of the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses.
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Is More Than One Dose of Epinephrine Sometimes Needed?
New research suggests nearly one in five food-induced anaphylactic reactions that occur in children with multiple food allergies may require two or more doses of epinephrine as opposed to the single dose that is generally administered.
Dr. Kirsi M. Jarvinen, from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, and colleagues evaluated epinephrine use in children with multiple food allergies by interviewing the families of 413 patients.
The report noted 78 children, who were an average of 4.5 years old, were given epinephrine to treat a total of 95 reactions. Over 75% of the reactions involved peanut, tree nut, or cow’s milk allergies. 13% of the reactions required a second dose and another 6% required a total of three doses.
When one of your students has an anaphylactic reaction are you allowed to determine if a second dose is necessary? Do the students carry an Epi-Pen on them or keep them in the school nurse’s office? How many doses of epinephrine do the students with allergies (or asthma) generally keep on hand at school?
With school nurses traveling in between schools what happens when they’re not there and a student is having an anaphylactic reaction? Are teachers trained to handle the situation? If the student is able do they administer it themselves? Take this week’s poll on administering epinephrine. Share your comments with other school nurses on how you would handle the situation if you felt a second dose of epinephrine was necessary.
School Kids Healthcare carries a variety of Dey Epi-Pen Auto Injectors, Pre-Filled Syringes, Twinject Epinephrine, and vials of epinephrine for all your school nurse office needs. Also available is the Epinephrine Mate for storing.
Sources
Reuters: Severe allergic reaction may need more epinephrine
Reuters: Half of kids with peanut allergy don’t have Epi-Pen
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School Nurses Know The Facts But Does Everyone Else?
Federal Guidelines recommend 1 nurse for every 750 students but the reality is about 1 nurse for every 1151 students. School nurses’ jobs are being slashed due to budget and in turn teachers are being expected to fill in the gap. While there still are School Nurses how many different schools, or even districts, do they have to travel to? Parents, School Nurses, and Teachers are all justifiably expressing concern.
“There needs to be somebody in there that knows what they’re doing.” – Amy Merrell, whose 8 year old son has diabetes and attends Coronado Elementary School in Gilbert, AZ
“Mississippi has some of the highest rates of diabetes, asthma, obesity amongst our children,…If you can catch something through screening or treating some sort of small medical issue, you could impact a student’s entire future in education” – Estelle Watts, Office of Healthy Schools/Bureau of Health Services Director of School Nurses
“They were so good. They would just sit and wait.” – Julia Keyes, kindergarten and first grade teacher at Etowah Elementary School in Henderson County, NC commenting on her classroom rule of not interrupting while she pricked a female student’s finger to check her blood sugar and adjusted her insulin pump
While the six New England states, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Kansas, New Jersey, and Wyoming are making the 1 to 750 cut there is the other end of the spectrum. Hawaii, Michigan, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Utah are at a ratio of less than 1 per 3000.
Where do you fall? Are you travelling from school to school trying to keep your head above water or is your district adequately staffed? Take this week’s poll and post a comment about what’s going on in your district.
Article Resources
Associated Press
Chicagotribune.com
Clarionledger.com
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Lean Pockets Recall
Nestlé Prepared Foods Company, located in Kentucky, is recalling Lean Pockets Spinach Artichoke Chicken sandwiches that may contain pieces of plastic the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced last Monday. The Class I Recall products were produced on May 23, 2008 and distributed to retail establishments nationwide.Consumers should look for the following information on the side of 9-ounce boxes of Lean Pockets Spinach Artichoke Chicken Sandwiches:
- “Best Before” date of “Nov 2009″ followed by a package code beginning “8144 544616″
- Establishment number “P7721A”
Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Nestlé Consumer Services Center at (800) 350-5016.
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Is Your Asthma Inhaler Green?
You’ve most likely been warned but now the time has come. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a public health advisory that if you’re still using a Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Asthma Inhaler it’s time to get with your doctor to make a change.
The production and sale of the ozone damaging CFC propelled albuterol inhalers will not be available after December 31, 2008. CFCs harm the Earth’s ozone layer which protects us from ultraviolet radiation. Healthcare professionals are urged to transition patients to the hydrofluoralkane (HFA) propelled albuterol inhalers now.
The FDA noted HFA propelled albuterol inhalers may taste and feel different (softer) than the CFC propelled albuterol inhalers. The FDA also stressed the importance of priming and cleaning in order to prevent any blockage of the medicine reaching the lungs.
There are currently three approved HFA propelled albuterol inhalers: Proair HFA Inhalation Aerosol, Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol, and Ventolin HFA Inhalation Aerosol. In addition, an HFA propelled inhaler containing levalbuterol, a medicine similar to albuterol, is available as Xopenex HFA Inhalation Aerosol. All of the above HFA propelled inhalers are safe and effective replacements for CFC propelled albuterol inhalers.
Letters to Schools about Albuterol Transition
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Fireworks Safety Tips
July 4th is right around the corner and you know what that means…fireworks. Check out these safety tips from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks
- Read and follow all warnings and instructions
- Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks
- Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials
- Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned
- Keep a bucket of water in case of a malfunction or fire
Although this didn’t make the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s list remember that alcohol and fireworks do not mix, have a designated shooter. Also be sure to obey the law and find out what fireworks are legal in your city, county, and state, as ordinances and regulations vary from place to place.
On this 232nd birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence let’s thank our military for their countless dedication and determination. Let’s also thank those who will find themselves working and volunteering this holiday – Police Officers, EMS Providers, Fire/Rescue Workers, Hospital Employees – doing their best to protect and serve the American people to ensure a safe and happy Fourth of July Celebration.
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Childhood Obesity
The winter, 2008, issue of the American Heart Association’s “Heart and Stroke News” tells us that from 1998 to 2004, “The number of children hospitalized for obesity-related complications tripled.” The newsletter further states, “The most common problems were sleep apnea, high blood pressure and gallstones.” In children under age 18, the number of gastric bypass surgeries climbed from 500 to 4,000.
The KidsHealth website also tells us that one third of all kids between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight or obese and projects that nearly half of the kids in North America will weigh too much by 2010 - only two years from now. The data is appalling!
We have to consider the causes and effects. Genetics and/or lifestyle habits contribute to the causative factors. What we, as school nurses, deal with are the devastating effects of childhood obesity. Here is a partial list of the health problems of being overweight or obese:
• Asthma
• Bone and joint problems
• Depression
• Fatty liver
• Gallstones
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Insulin resistance and diabetes
• Sleep disorders
Kids who are overweight or obese tend to have low self-esteem and may be teased, rejected or bullied by their peers. In addition, they can develop unhealthy dieting habits and eating disorders. The issues are complex, but there can be no doubt that being overweight or obese is exacting a huge toll on our kids, both physically and psychologically. The long-term health of our kids is at stake!
The prevention and treatment of childhood obesity is as complex, if not more complex, than the causes and effects. It involves family and societal dynamics and uses a systems approach. The question is are we up to the challenge?
The National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NIHCQ) is looking for ideas on treatment. If you have a successful program being done in a community or primary care setting, they are seeking your input. Contact them by going to their website at http://nichq.wikispaces.com/Obesity.
Have you had some success in your school or district in dealing with childhood obesity? Are you willing to share your stories with other school nurses so that we can learn from one another? This is the format! We are anxious to hear from you.
Twyla Lato, RN, BSN, NCSN is a School District Nurse for a suburban community in southeast Wisconsin, and a past president of the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses.
