WEST VIRGINIA COUNCIL OF SCHOOL NURSES
Charleston, WV
January 30 and 31, 2006
1
MINUTES
Attendees: Deborah Kaplan, RESA I; Teresa Ryan, RESA II; Nancy Doss, RESA III; Rhonda Tabit, RESA IV; Alisa Shepler, RESA V; Diana Baker, RESA VI; Sharon Clark, RESA VII; and, Nancy Bradshaw, RESA VIII.
1. The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m. by Teresa Ryan, Chair.
2. The minutes were approved as written on motion by Nancy Doss and seconded by Sharon Clark.
3. Other Business:
A. Rhonda Tabit read an e-mail from Rebecca King and Jeff Neccuzi on requirements for Revised Policy 2525 regarding new health requirements and immunizations for pre-K entry. Immunizations must be age-appropriate as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and recommended by WVDHHR. Hib and Prevnar are not being required by the BPH due to unavailability and complexity of scheduled doses. Children are required to have a health assessment by the child’s licensed health care provider prior to entry.
B. Discussion among Council members concerning health assessments they have received indicating the child is well when there are obvious physical, emotional, mental, behavioral, etc. problems apparent when the child enters school. Council recommends that a copy of any health assessment that does not reflect the student’s real health status be sent to Rebecca King along with your assessment/observation of the child’s problems for her use with the kindergarten screening committee studying standardizing screenings. Any personal identifiers should be blacked out.
C. Discussion on a universal health screening form. Teresa Ryan recommends that we consider using the WV Health Check Report as the standard.
4. Vision Screening – Diana Baker and Nancy Doss reporting:
A. The American Ophthalmology Association recommends an eye exam by a licensed professional before school entry. Policy 2525 recommends early and periodic exams. WV Code §18-5-17 requires all students entering public school for the first time to receive prior to enrollment.
B. Council discussed and did some research on the most appropriate age for vision screening for other grades of students.
C. Diana and Nancy will contact Dr. Bradley at WVU and contact the WV Board of Ophthalmology and Optometrist’s to check for any other information and guidelines to consider, reliable tools for screening, and any other ages that would be appropriate to screen.
5. Hearing Screening – Nancy Bradshaw and Teresa Ryan reporting:
A. WV Code §18-5-17 requires hearing screening for all students entering WV public schools for the first time prior to enrollment.
B. Research showed that most states do between 4 and 6 grade levels each year. The American Speech, Language and Hearing Association recommends screening Pre-K – 3 for pure tones only. Guidelines recommend training and supervision by licensed audiologist. School nurses were included in the 1997 guidelines for persons to perform screening.
C. Teresa and Nancy will check if any WV boards/agencies exist for audiologists and determine if any guidelines or rules exist.
6. Dental Screening – Debbie Kaplan and Rhonda Tabit reporting:
A. WV Code §18-5-22 requires county boards to provide medical and dental inspections. There is no requirement for entry into WV public schools. Policy 2525 requires dental screening for pre-K entry.
B. Rhonda talked with Dr. Greg Black, DDS who is the dental director at WVDHHR. He stated that WV law does not allow for anyone other than a dentist to do dental screenings. He stated that a dental hygienist could not screen or diagnose by law. The WV Dental Association referred Debbie Kaplan to Dr. Eckley, DDS in Beckley and reports that he had given her the same information. He also informed that a dental screening includes a medical history.
C. Council recommends, based on the information to date, that dental screenings be performed by a dentist. It is the responsibility of the county board of education to provide the proper personnel to conduct dental inspections.
D. Rhonda will obtain copies of the law concerning dentists.
7. Developmental Screening – Teresa Ryan reporting for Rebecca King:
A. WV Code §18-5-17 requires county boards to provide developmental screening upon the request of a parent or guardian for child under compulsory school attendance age. Policy 2525 requires for admission to pre-K.
B. Dr. Jones at WVDE is going to work on standardizing the developmental screening.
8. Council discussed the NASN and AAP recommendations against No-Nit policies. Evidence based nursing does not support no-nit policies. Compliance with such policies has not eradicated lice in schools or families who have chronic infestation problem. Members reviewed the Lincoln County policy on lice that eliminated the no-nit policy. Rhonda Tabit made a motion that Council write a recommendation that county boards eliminate No-Nit lice policies. Nancy Bradshaw seconded. Motion carried. Sharon Clark volunteered to write a draft of recommendation.
9. Council discussed scoliosis screening in schools. It is not required by WV Law and not recommended by NASN. However, based on WV school nurse observations and screening data that there is a higher incidence in certain populations or geographical areas, the Council approved a motion by Teresa Ryan and seconded by Nancy Bradshaw to support the continued optional practice of postural screening with recommended screening procedures. Teresa Ryan will write recommendation for approval at next meeting.
10. Discussion on school nurse evaluation form. Marshall County’s evaluation tool reviewed. Teresa Ryan will check on NASN evaluation and standards of nursing to use to develop an evaluation tool.
11. Teresa Ryan read a letter requesting nominations for Outstanding State School Nurse Consultant Achievement Award. Discussed the possibility of nominating Rebecca King. Teresa will check if Rebecca is eligible and interested in being nominated.
12. Meeting recessed at 4:55.
13. Council attended the seminar “Lawfully Managing School Records Without Violating Privacy Rights” on January 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and resumed the meeting at 1:00 p.m
14. Council discussed information learned at the seminar regarding the development of lists of students with health care needs for dissemination to school personnel. Council will ask Rebecca King and Heather Deskins, WVDE Counsel, to write a model disclaimer for use on emergency cards, health information, etc. that lets parent/guardian know that info may be shared with appropriate school personnel. They will also be asked to send a letter to all school nurses from WVDE about the liability of creating lists of students with health problems.
15. Teresa Ryan made a motion to accept the Recommendation for administering IV Clotting Factor. Debbie Kaplan seconded. Motion approved.
16. Rhonda Tabit inquired if any other counties were concerned about the time involved in the CARDIAC program as well as cost of administering. Some RHEP's are planning to drop the program.
17. Reviewed updates for WVDE – OHS that were provided by Rebecca King. Council members were asked to check out all the policies listed in the update.
18. Nicholas County school nurses requested information on hiring and training aides for specific Specialized Health Care Procedures. Council will suggest they contact their service personnel director regarding seniority issues.
19. The next meeting is scheduled for March 31, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rebecca King will check on location at Bridgeport or Flatwoods if nothing available in Bridgeport for that day.
20. Meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rhonda Tabit, R.N. Secretary
Approved:______