BISD Health Services Guidelines

Clinic Guidelines for Parents, Students and Staff

 Clinic Hours:  8:00 am – 3:15 pm

Any parent whose child has a medical condition which may affect them while at school needs to relay this information directly to the nurse.  If you would like to set up a meeting with the campus nurse to discuss your child’s health, please call Buffalo ISD at 903-322-2473 and select the appropriate extension.

Elementary/High School - ext. 5005 Stacey Gaskin RN
Lower Junior High - ext. 4004 Kaci Wells
Upper Junior High - ext. 3004 Shanna Clarke
High School - ext. 2000 Brittany Scott

Reasonable Expectations for self-care in classroom or restroom:

Each grade level should have a classroom supply of band-aids, cough drops/peppermints, lip balm, triple antibiotic cream, q-tips and gloves.

The following suggestions should be taken care of in class and do not require an urgent visit to the clinic.

1. Chapped Lips – cover with thin layer of lip balm.
2. Minor abrasions – wash with soap and water, pat dry, apply band-aid.
3. Mosquito/insect bites(localized itching) – apply cool paper towel
4. First indications of stomachache, headache, dizziness, nausea, “not feeling well” – put head down on desk to rest, go to bathroom, get a drink, see if lunch helps, wait a while to see if it will go away.
5. Loose teeth or bitten lip with little to no bleeding – rinse mouth and face at sink, get a drink and return to class.
6. Itchy eyes – wash face/eyes with cool water.

A student should stay in class:

1. For at least the first hour/period when a parent sent him/her to school to “try it”.  The school nurse will keep teachers informed of exceptions such as students with chronic illness.
2. When someone else thinks he/she “looks” sick or “looks” feverish, but student feels fine.
3. When an old, healed abrasion is merely sore or itching.
4. Soreness from an old injury.  If there is no bump, bruise, swelling or redness or if more than 24 hrs after injury – no ice should be given – it won’t help.
5. When a student regularly finds excuses to leave class and rarely has to go or stay home because of illness.
6. When a student frequently asks to go to the clinic at the same time of day.
7. When a loose tooth is merely annoying to the student/teacher.  (Nurse/Aide will NOT pull teeth.)

Valid reasons for leaving class and going to clinic:

1. Significant vomiting (not just spitting up or phlegm).
2. Serious bleeding.
3. Headache, stomachache, “not feeling well” that persists beyond 45 – 60 minutes or is extremely sudden and severe.
4. Loss of consciousness.
5. Obviously ill in appearance or behavior compared to other days.
6. Symptoms of infection (redness, heat, pain, swelling, pus) in any area (e.g. eyes, skin, tooth/jaw, earlobes, fingernails.)
7. Earache. 
8. Injury to head/eyes/face/ears.
9. Bone/Joint injury (fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains) If bone injury is suspected make sure student does not move or bear weight on the affected bone/joint.
10. Severe allergic reactions to insects/foods/medications; hives, itching, or swelling of mouth/throat, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or wheezing.
11. Nose bleed – use a tissue and pinch child’s nose closed (right below the bridge) have child breath through their mouth and escort them to clinic.
12. Splinters will be removed if visible and accessible with tweezers.  They will not be “dug” out.  A Band-Aid may be given and a contact call to the home will be made if unable to remove in office.
13. Eye glass repairs can be time consuming and may not be fixable at school.  If the glasses are wearable, please tell the student to have them fixed at home.
14. We only have a limited amount of clothing available, so if the student’s own clothing is only mildly uncomfortable, please do not send them to the clinic; such as wet knees from the playground, food stains from lunch, etc…

15. Head Lice – if live lice bugs are visible the student will be sent home.  They will be allowed one excused absence for treatment.  Upon returning to school they will need to check in at the nurse’s office.  If no live lice are found, the child may stay at school.
16. Sore throat – this is a very common complaint and does not require a clinic visit during core instruction time, unless other symptoms are present as well (temp, vomiting, rash, strep odor.)  If throat is merely reddened or sinus drainage is observed, fluids will be encouraged.  If blisters or swollen tonsils are observed, parent will be contacted.  Cough drops may be given to student, however they should not be sent to clinic multiple times for cough drops/peppermints.
17. Stomachaches – this is frequent complaint, often exaggerated and difficult to medically assess.  If the child states vomiting, there must be verification by school staff.  If the student has been in the clinic for more than 20 min without fever, vomiting or diarrhea, they may return to class.  Upon initial complaint, the teacher should allow the student to use the restroom.
18. Headaches – If student complains of headache, and no other symptoms, they may be asked to remain in class until break.  If appropriate, the student may rest in the clinic for up to 30 minutes.  Exceptions to this would be a diagnosis of migraines or other medical conditions that include frequent headaches.  Questions to ask students before sending them to the clinic.  Hungry? Allergies? Sensitive to smells? Eye strain?  These are not emergent and can wait until class break.