Susan Gordon, LPN

School Nurse

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Keep Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

Here are some healthy tips to practice at all times, but especially now during the cold flu season.
  1. Bacteria can linger on a bar of soap, so wash hands frequently with a liquid soap.
  2. Don't share cups, have disposable cups available in the bathroom and/or kitchen and use once and then throw away.
  3. Get in the BLOW, THROW AND WASH habit. After using a paper tissue, be sure to throw it away and wash your hands immediately after use.
  4. Colds can be transferred through hand-to-hand contact. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth when exposed to germs.
  5. Use disposable paper napkins and towels instead of cloth or sponges. Bacteria and viruses can live on cloth towels and sponges for hours.
  6. Toys are common germ carriers. Wash toys in warm, soapy water to kill bacteria and viruses.
  7. If you have to sneeze or cough and a tissue is unavailable, sneeze into your shoulder, not your hands, to avoid spreading your cold.
  8. Germs may remain in stagnant air, so open the windows when the weather permits.
  9. Glean high-touch surfaces like stair railings, telephones, counter tops and doorknobs frequently, to avoid hand-to-hand spread of viruses.
  10. If you smoke, avoid smoking inside your home, smoke is a respiratory irritant that increases susceptibility to colds and flu.
 
MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

A.   Any medication must be brought to school by the student's parent, legal guardian, or other designated adult and stored in a locked cabinet while at school. Some medication (e.g. asthma inhalers) can be self-transported and remain in the possession of the student if a written order from a licensed medical provider is obtained.
Medical Supplies

  1. Written parental consent is required for all medications administered during school.
  2. The parent/guardian is responsible for:
    • a. Completing and signing the parental consent, including the name of the pupil, the name and strength of the medication, the dosage of medication to be given, and the time the medication is to be given.
    • b. Keeping the medication in the original container.
    • c. Assuring that new prescribed medication is administered at home for a full day prior to a child coming to school to have the medication administered by school personnel.
    • d. Personally collecting from the school any unused portion of the medication within one week after expiration of the physician’s order. Medication that is not personally collected by the parent/guardian will be destroyed.
    • d. Coordinating doses administered at home with the school’s medication dispensing schedule, when possible.
    • f. Prohibiting any change in dosage or time of the administration of medication unless authorized in writing by the physician.
 
B.   If a student may require emergency treatment involving hypodermic injections, prior approval must be obtained by using the appropriate form.
C.   A licensed clinic assistant or school employee will administer prescribed medication during the school day, with written permission from the child's parent/guardian.
D.   Over-the-counter medications (e.g. Cough drops, Tylenol, Sudafed, etc.) must be maintained in the original container and kept in a locked cabinet and administered by a school employee.
  1. School employees and clinic workers are not authorized to administer over-the-counter diet pills or dietary supplements, including but not limited to vitamins, minerals, or herbs.

  2. Written parental consent for the administration of medication is required for each over-the counter medication (e.g. Tylenol, Sudafed, cough drops, etc.).

 

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