It's that time of year and as our school year comes to a closing so does the need for the clinic to shut down. With this said, ALL medication whether it be or prescription or over the counter must be picked up by Friday June 4, 2010. Any medication not picked up with be properly disposed of as we do not keep medications in the clinic over summer break.
Thank you and have a wonderful summer~
Nurse Donna
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Children's Health Insurance Toolkit
Children's Health Insurance: Tools to Advance Enrollment and Retention Efforts is a tool developed by Insure Kids Now to assist organizations in increasing awareness and understanding of children's health insurance programs.
It was also designed to assist organizations in encouraging eligible parents and guardians to apply for coverage on behalf of their uninsured children. The toolkit includes how-to information, as well as customizable materials. The kit will be updated and expanded as successful strategies and practices emerge.
This tool is available at http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/professionals/toolkit/toolkit.html.
Nurse Donna
It was also designed to assist organizations in encouraging eligible parents and guardians to apply for coverage on behalf of their uninsured children. The toolkit includes how-to information, as well as customizable materials. The kit will be updated and expanded as successful strategies and practices emerge.
This tool is available at http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/professionals/toolkit/toolkit.html.
Nurse Donna
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Strep Throat
What is Strep throat?
Strep throat and Scarlet fever (a rash that sometimes accompanies strep throat) are caused by the beta hemolytic streptococcus, type A bacteria. The organisms are spread by contact with secretions from the mouth and nose of infected persons. The incubation is short, usually 2 to 5 days. Infected persons are considered contagious until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment is begun.
What are the signs and symptoms or strep throat?
The signs and symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen glands under the jaw and in the neck, and pus pockets on the tonsils. Vomiting and stomach pain may also occur. Additionally, with scarlet fever there is a fine, red, sandpapery skin rash.
What should I do if I think my child has strep throat?
If a sore throat is suspected, if would be recommended to go ahead and seek medical care. A throat culture will be done to determine the diagnosis. If the culture is positive, a ten-day course of an antibiotic, is prescribed. The child should be out of school until 24 hours of antibiotic therapy is received and condition improved to return to school. If the culture is negative, the cause is probably viral and the treatment is warm salt water gargles, force fluids, rest, and Tylenol.
Can strep throat be prevented?
YES! Frequent handwashing, plenty of rest, and adequate diet will to go far to protect your child against strep throat and other germs which tend to be more prevalent this time of year. Be careful not to share cups or utensils that can also lead to the spread of germs.
If you have any further questions, please contact your family physician or the school nurse.
Nurse Donna
Strep throat and Scarlet fever (a rash that sometimes accompanies strep throat) are caused by the beta hemolytic streptococcus, type A bacteria. The organisms are spread by contact with secretions from the mouth and nose of infected persons. The incubation is short, usually 2 to 5 days. Infected persons are considered contagious until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment is begun.
What are the signs and symptoms or strep throat?
The signs and symptoms include sore throat, fever, swollen glands under the jaw and in the neck, and pus pockets on the tonsils. Vomiting and stomach pain may also occur. Additionally, with scarlet fever there is a fine, red, sandpapery skin rash.
What should I do if I think my child has strep throat?
If a sore throat is suspected, if would be recommended to go ahead and seek medical care. A throat culture will be done to determine the diagnosis. If the culture is positive, a ten-day course of an antibiotic, is prescribed. The child should be out of school until 24 hours of antibiotic therapy is received and condition improved to return to school. If the culture is negative, the cause is probably viral and the treatment is warm salt water gargles, force fluids, rest, and Tylenol.
Can strep throat be prevented?
YES! Frequent handwashing, plenty of rest, and adequate diet will to go far to protect your child against strep throat and other germs which tend to be more prevalent this time of year. Be careful not to share cups or utensils that can also lead to the spread of germs.
If you have any further questions, please contact your family physician or the school nurse.
Nurse Donna
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Scoliosis Screens this week...
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis in a sideways (lateral) curving of the spine. One in 10 persons will have it. Two to three persons in every 1000 will need active treatment for a progressive condition. In one out of every 1000 cases surgery may be necessary.
Frequent signs are prominent shoulder blade, uneven hip and shoulder levels, unequal distance between arms and body, and clothes that do not "hang right."
Eighty percent of scoliosis cases are idiopathic (cause unknown). Scoliosis tends to run in families and affects more girls than boys.
Spinal curvature is best dealt with when a young person's body is still growing and can respond to treatments, such as a body brace. Mild cases may not need treatment, but must be monitored.
Kyphosis (round back) may also occur in developing adolescents. It should be screened for and may need to be treated.
You, your physician and/or your school screening program can perform a 30-second annual screen during these growing years. Screening during the bone-growing years can make a difference between a preventable condition and a disability in adult years.
Do keep in mind this is merely a screening and we do not diagnose scoliosis. We simply notify those parents that student presents with questionable visual signs of possible issues that we may see. Diagnosis is made by your physician by way of exam and xrays of the spine.
If you have any questions regarding scoliosis feel free to call my office. I will be happy to assist and offer suggestions regarding the need for follow-up exams, etc.
Have a healthy day!
Nurse Donna
Scoliosis in a sideways (lateral) curving of the spine. One in 10 persons will have it. Two to three persons in every 1000 will need active treatment for a progressive condition. In one out of every 1000 cases surgery may be necessary.
Frequent signs are prominent shoulder blade, uneven hip and shoulder levels, unequal distance between arms and body, and clothes that do not "hang right."
Eighty percent of scoliosis cases are idiopathic (cause unknown). Scoliosis tends to run in families and affects more girls than boys.
Spinal curvature is best dealt with when a young person's body is still growing and can respond to treatments, such as a body brace. Mild cases may not need treatment, but must be monitored.
Kyphosis (round back) may also occur in developing adolescents. It should be screened for and may need to be treated.
You, your physician and/or your school screening program can perform a 30-second annual screen during these growing years. Screening during the bone-growing years can make a difference between a preventable condition and a disability in adult years.
Do keep in mind this is merely a screening and we do not diagnose scoliosis. We simply notify those parents that student presents with questionable visual signs of possible issues that we may see. Diagnosis is made by your physician by way of exam and xrays of the spine.
If you have any questions regarding scoliosis feel free to call my office. I will be happy to assist and offer suggestions regarding the need for follow-up exams, etc.
Have a healthy day!
Nurse Donna
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Been a busy new year thus far. Weather changes constant, temps up-temps down and students coming down with colds, flu bugs and strep. I cannot stress enough the need to dress for the weather.
Scoliosis screens will be done for students in 6th-8th grade the last week of January. This screen is preformed as a courtesy for your children. It is not a physicians evaluation nor is it a diagnosis. If a curvature is questionable a letter will be sent directly to the parent recommending an evaluations to rule out the onset of scoliosis.
As we come to the close of this month, note there is a great deal going on at school. From the Father Daughter Dance to the Community Dinner it looks like it is happening at the BREC. And for those interested in a tea party event, do contact Community Ed as there is one coming up late February.
Nurse Donna
Scoliosis screens will be done for students in 6th-8th grade the last week of January. This screen is preformed as a courtesy for your children. It is not a physicians evaluation nor is it a diagnosis. If a curvature is questionable a letter will be sent directly to the parent recommending an evaluations to rule out the onset of scoliosis.
As we come to the close of this month, note there is a great deal going on at school. From the Father Daughter Dance to the Community Dinner it looks like it is happening at the BREC. And for those interested in a tea party event, do contact Community Ed as there is one coming up late February.
Nurse Donna
Friday, November 20, 2009
November is ending on a healthier note...
It is extremely nice to see the closing of November ending with a huge decline in absentee's. At this time I am happy to state our absenteeism is 1-2% in the BREC which is a far cry from what we began the month with. This should make us all feel a sigh of relief. Clearly the students are doing what we asked of them in regards to hand washing, coughing into their arm and utilizing the paper cups as opposed to drinking straight from the fountains. From what I have heard Black River has had far less absenteeism than many of the surrounding school districts, so parents you should all be proud of the proactive measures this school has taken since the beginning of the school year.
With this said; I want you to be aware that we are still seeing a few cases of Influenza A, head lice and most recently a few cases of scabies (rash caused by a mite). Please pay attention to your children's complaints regardless of what they might be. One never knows when a complaint may just be an early warning sign of what's to come.
For now there is not much else to report health wise, so I will close wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and a healthy Christmas Season to all.
Nurse Donna
Monday, November 2, 2009
November-Absenteeism on the Rise
As the new month begins I note an increase in student absenteeism. Especially on the Elementary School side of the BREC. Having said this, I will continue to preach the need for parents and teachers to work together to promote and monitor for excellent hand washing techniques and proper respiratory etiquette with ALL children.
We are still seeing the occasional case of Chicken Pox but nothing I am concerned about (less than 1/2 dozen cases in total since the beginning of the school year). The Flu viruses and Strep Throat seem most prevalent at this time. Having said this; Do note that our rate of absenteeism on its worse day has NOT been any where near high enough to warrant parents wondering why we have not closed the schools. Folks, the numbers just are not there! Yes, we are seeing more illnesses than norm for this time of year, but then again so are all the other school districts near and far.
My belief is if we continue to work together promoting good hygiene habits here at Black River School District, we will see far less illnesses over the winter months ahead. Not allowing drinking from the water fountains, hand sanitizers in all the classrooms, teachers/students wiping down desks regularly are ALL excellent preventative measures be taken daily here at Black River.
Wishing everyone a safe and healthy holiday season....
Nurse Donna
We are still seeing the occasional case of Chicken Pox but nothing I am concerned about (less than 1/2 dozen cases in total since the beginning of the school year). The Flu viruses and Strep Throat seem most prevalent at this time. Having said this; Do note that our rate of absenteeism on its worse day has NOT been any where near high enough to warrant parents wondering why we have not closed the schools. Folks, the numbers just are not there! Yes, we are seeing more illnesses than norm for this time of year, but then again so are all the other school districts near and far.
My belief is if we continue to work together promoting good hygiene habits here at Black River School District, we will see far less illnesses over the winter months ahead. Not allowing drinking from the water fountains, hand sanitizers in all the classrooms, teachers/students wiping down desks regularly are ALL excellent preventative measures be taken daily here at Black River.
Wishing everyone a safe and healthy holiday season....
Nurse Donna
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